Mondeo Brake Discs

A friend of mine has a Mondeo that needed new front brake discs. I'm becoming an expert on this as I have recently replaced discs on a Freelander, my Vectra and the Westfield. My friend brought his Mondeo around to my garage and we started what I thought would take an hour to do both sides. Wheel and caliper came off easily. However, would the disc budge? It was stuck solid. (Yes, I had removed the retaining clips). I tried bashing it with a lump hammer, heating it up with a blow lamp and trying to pull it off with a Heath Robinson lash up of G-clamps and an old Freelander disc (see photo).



I finally had enough and cut it off with an angle grinder!

Brrrr!!

With the two children I often find it difficult to get out in the Westfield for a high speed burn up. Also, the roads are really busy until after 8pm. Even Saturdays and Sundays are busy with everyone out shopping and sight seeing. The best time is early on Sunday mornings.

Yesterday I woke up early and, since it was Sunday, I decided to get out in the car before the rest of the family woke up. I looked out of the window and it was nice outside with clear skies and the Sun just coming up. Perfect!

I got in the car and off I went. All was fine initially and I was enjoying the clear roads. However, once I got out in the countryside things went down hill. There was thick fog on the country lanes. Not too bad but the worst thing was it was freezing cold. I had a hat on, fleece and gloves but wow it was cold. On the plus side, however, the engine loved to cool air and the car was flying. The only problem was the faster I went the colder I got! I guess that's the problem driving a light weight car with no doors, roof, windscreen or heater!

It was fun though and I got home after an hour to have breakfast and warm up.

MOT passed

I have been thinking about replacing the Vectra as it's getting rather long in the tooth. However, it always starts and has been pretty reliable and today it passed it's MOT first time without any problems. Lets not be too hasty.

Well, that's the back seat full.

With the recent arrival of my son, the back of the car is now full.

Surfing in Croyde, again.

Rach, Millie and I went for a long weekend camping trip to Croyde. As last year we stayed at Cherrytree Farm which is great for the beach and easy to get into Croyde. We went with 20 other people most of whom were rowing club friends. Last year we went before the schools closed and it was quiet. This year the site was packed.

A couple of years ago we stayed at Mitchums campsite but they don't allow children. We laughed about them this year; apparently your tent cannot be higher than your shoulder!

Ich bin ein Berliner

Just got back from a Stag weekend in Berlin. We stayed at a great hostel in the downtown area. It's a really cool place with modern style. We did the usual tourist things during the day. Checkpoint Charlie, Bradenburg gate, Reistag and the amazing Holocast memorial.

In the evening we got up to other things.

Back to Wong Kei.

Rach and I went to London on Saturday for my sister's 40th birthday party. The do was in LVPO in Soho. It just happens to be over the road from Wong Kei's chinese restaurant so we decided to go there before meeting Kirsty. I used to go here all the time when I was a student. It's dead cheap and the portions are big. Probably not the best food but Rach and I love it. The waitors used to be legendary; rude, throw your food down, take the plates before you've finished and heaven help you if you asked for a fork. Unfortunately, the service has improved! Don't get me wrong, it's nowhere near a normal restaurant standards but the classic Wong Kei experience has faded slightly. Great to go back though!

We stayed at the Hotel Beaver in Earl's Court. Basic accommodation but clean, friendly and well located for tube and the A4.