new car

is here. Sorry for the big gap between posts, I've been busy getting transport organised again. And here it is -


Click on the photo for bigger pictures. Not bad for about $200, I think. Well, in the end between getting rid of the old car, transferring ownership and cleaning up this one it'll cost me about a grand, I guess. But I can live with that! For the record, it's a 1995 Suzuku Vitara (known here as an ESCUDO), with the nice 2.0L V6 engine (it really goes!) and most of the creature comforts. It ends up being about the same size as the old one, which is OK, but it is less old and has travelled less kilometers.

It was in pretty bad shape when we picked it up (I was accompanied by my friend and local car adviser Brian), dirty inside and out, paint in bad shape, etc etc. But just a weekend of elbow grease, and a few dollars on small stuff and it looks great (enough!) and runs really well. I changed the air filter today, and the spark plugs tonight, a bit of an ordeal, but well worth it, it purrs like a kitten now. Also got a car-audio transplant, so I'm good to go!

Car Shopping Time

I tried to do the right, sensible thing. I wanted a new car, but I had a good car, no need to change....until yesterday.

Kaput. LOTS of green water GUSHING from the engine block. Over 50 liters of wter to travel 150 easy kilomters (of course this wouldn't happen around home - waited until I got into the mountains in Nagano). On top of the other things the car needs this spells the end of an era. It will be much cheaper to get another car than to repair this one, and this time I'm going to get a van - MUCH better for MTB!

webcam

finally got it set up. Fun! First video call tonight, unfortunately it was only Paul, but good to chat, and to know that it works. So all you folks with a webcam, gimme a call!

Wow

finally got my PC running an English OS. It's great. Never, never underestimate the ability to undrestand what's going on around you!

BIG, BIG, BIG thanks to Brian for all his hard work and expertise in making this happen!

this glove

was in the engine bay of Brian's Pajero for two years.



Don't know how it got there, but I'm happy to have it back! It was actually in perfect condition too, once it had been through the washing machine.



Man, this forced inactivity must really be getting to me, I'm posting about gloves...

Day Off

to recover. Still got tonsilitis. Went back to the doctor yesterday, only had to wait two hours this time. Got more drugs, I made sure to ask him if there was anything I shouldn't eat or drink while on the medicine...he said alcohol. This kinda makes me angry. The first time I went he asked me if I drank, and I told him I did, but at that time he didn't tell me it would reduce the efffectiveness of the medicine. Guess he wanted to see me again. So far I've spent five hours in his waiting room for a sum total of four minutes of his time. Yay.

But anyway, this time I'm doing it right, day off today, will be spent in or on bed, lots of medicine, no booze, and no talking! Man, work was really hurting the throat there on Wednesday and yesterday. Also going to be a quiet weekend. Feel like I can sleep for three whole days.

Ouch

that was quite a party. I think I drank enough to drown the bugs giving me tonsilitis. Was really good though, I have a great team (aka group of crazy friends), they wouldn't let me pay for any of it...THANKYOU GUYS!

Rain today, so no riding, but that's OK, I need a rest. Yesterday was fun, didn't ride a lot, but it was good to ride again, although slippery. And the bike survived the day, a good start.