A real Triumph - 2000 times in 1970's style

Car stuff - yes, car stuff. How come we are talking cars when we only have one (hired) occasionally? Well, we mentioned before how Bernie (the Crew's ex boss) very kindly lent us some wheels after bumping into us when we returned to Penarth at the end of September (see the posts from then and pictures of his Dunkirk little ship)

Recently, we have been using a proper piece of old British engineering. Yes, the executive car of the early 1970s, a Triumph 2000 (Mark II for the train spotters). If you want to become a train spotter, look at Wikipedia information. If you want to become seriously sad, try Triumph 2000 register.

Anyway, here she is in all her glory:

Like many ladies of advancing age, she had a few issues. She liked a smoke and a drink, coughs and wheezes, the bodywork was not pristine and some of the upholstery had gone a bit south. A few vaguely important bits had become detached (like the driver's door mirror).  However, she was a game old girl (old = 1970 vintage) and carried us around the area well. Trips to Barry, carrying shopping etc etc. Sadly, she needs an MOT test early in February and as we were not going to be around to sort this and any "failure" issues, we took the poor lady back to Bristol today. Yes, she even managed the motorway with a few splutters. Truck drivers were gawping suitably when she passed them!

Her best feature was the soundtrack. An old twin carburettor 6 cylinder engine that makes a very distinctive noise especially at idle. A back axle that growls under load and sings to you on over-run (reminds the captain of his early Ford days when Cortina rear axle overhauls were a big warranty expense...) At speed, this was all drowned out by wind noise typical of 1970's wipers, windscreens and panel fit and finish. How we forget the progress of the last 45 years!

Personal view -the car is still stylish though. She attracted lots of attention from the "I had one" to "I always wanted one" to "wow, still running??" We do think that the towbar on the back is a bit optimistic these days though.

So, we said a fond farewell to GHN, who ferried us around and built up the captain's arm muscles quite nicely - no power steering here. A lovely contrast to all the cars we enjoyed during the days of employment with the BMW Group. Somehow, more real.

Upon our return by train, we found that Patrick was leading Phil the polar bear astray again - a repeat of their Xmas behaviour:

Patrick enjoyed the BBC (Baileys, banana and coconut) cocktail that we discovered in Barbados and perfected with John and Tina at new year. Too much in fact; he has taken to making his own whilst we are away.

After a serious telling off, he tried to look repentant. It didn't work:

Anyone want to adopt a penguin with attitude? We are clearly not bringing him up properly, perhaps you could do better?