Feels like it's been a while but had a great day yesterday!
Quite a day all told. Walking, car, plane, train, car again, boat then car. Lots of variety and numerous strange and wonderful faces! Just like being at flippin' work! Great fun.
Met the guys and took possession of the new car and watched as the sky opened and dumped more or less a month's average rainfall in their yard! Undeterred I headed off to the motorway to the tune of Steve Wright and that old classic 'There's a feck-up on the M6 .. Stay at home Stay at home!' Barry Gibb had nothing on these guys!
So as I motored along in the new Plus4 feeling like I belonged, I was surprised when it dawned on me that the car felt right and was behaving impeccably for something I'd only ever experienced on one other occasion. I could talk about some of the little things that a new Morgan displays with panache ( leaks and bumps and a heater that blows hot air into your nether regions whether it's on or off etc) but these things are character not cataract. I will address them as and when and enjoy the process. I wasn't expecting to 'love' the car right out of the box - but in truth .. I did. Weird, but in a nice way. Even getting in and out (I'm not that big at 5-11 but it's still a puzzle with intricate moves one cannot rush ..) can be rewarding. Baked with heat and soaked in sweat one almost sighs 'managed again!' and smiles (then remembers the keys are in an inaccessible pocket!!!) Sorry - I digress.
On up the motorway to the glances and nods of complete strangers. You guys know all about this and I guess have become used to it .. but let us novices savour it for just a while. Got a lovely smile in a service area from a passing Tranny (and I do not mean a Ford Transit.) Thankfully the day had warmed up a little at that point and the cold shiver that coursed my spine was a welcome wake-up for the road ahead. Speaking of which, I've been m6'ing for many many years and it never fails to impress me how folks can work out where there are speed traps and where there aren't! A guy passed me and I'm fairly sure he was not actually touching the road! Class!
So off motorway and onto the A75. Car running exactly as I was told it should. Not a glitch nor waiver from any of the needles nor a sound from anything in any negative fashion - actually that's a guess. I think I was probably so deaf from the motorway Morganising that an elephant could have dropped through the roof and trumpeted the theme to StarWars and I'd have had to cup my ear. Like I said - character! Vive le caractère!
Again, a new experience which was surprisingly effective. Morgan lights from standard are quite good. I found that the light to the front assisted by the lights from the car behind shining through me and the cockpit lit the road ahead a treat! Sadly I couldn't see any of this as I was completely dazzled. Thankfully, after the rear admiral had explained to his passengers that the car ahead was a great British icon and had pointed out the various features of interest, he dipped his lights. Back to enjoying the vibe then.
The wee car handles lovely and feels great. Driving at night has always been a pleasure for me. I guess it's less traffic or some such. Cars seem to go better at night! Anyway .. almost at the boat and guess what??? They've only gone and moved Cairnryan terminal! In fairness the original is still there and operating as before - however Stena (other crossings are available!¬) has opened their new spot a few miles up the road. Odd comment you might think! What's the problem there Mark? Well .. it's very simple. The only needle to have moved significantly throughout the day has been the one which reads 'Gimme gas!! Gimme Gas!! So the fact that this needle has now completely retired and gone to sleep horizontally .. I'm curious to know how on earth the engine is still making that humming noise and the scenery is still flashing past in the desired direction! Frugal yes .. but this is bonkers!
In through the terminal gate and I'm greeted by two yellow coats who are admiring the car and (in the absence of a boot) want to look under the bonnet. I guess there's a knack to opening that! I promised them that if I ever did get it open I'd send a photo. They were lovely folks and waved me on. Morgan 1 - Mark nil!
I could talk about the crossing all night. It's only two hours but when you're surrounded by every bronchial case in the uk all trying to out-do one another, then believe me, you were better off where ever you were.
Off on home turf and down the road where I actually know the bumps and where to avoid them. Did it make a blind bit of difference?? More character!
So the run home was reasonably uneventful - well apart from the heavy rain, hailstones, 15 mile tailback on the M6 and a van on the motorway who wanted to try on the Morgan as a second skin (or genuinely didn't see it until the very last minute and decided against copulation.) Almost squished at the first hurdle! All good fun.
Arrived at the house 0200hrs and the car got its first look at its new abode. Slotted in the corner as cleared and prepared, it looked almost organic (no guys - it really looked like it grew there!) I guess it was happy enough as it was still there this morning and started first kick!
Today was spent catching up on all the stuff I didn't do yesterday because I'd rather go get cars than go do chores. Having said that, I managed a shot or two and I'll see if I can load them on.
If you're still reading this - thanks for hanging in there. I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday and I feel I'm going to really love this car. Big thanks to Henry and Paul at Williams and for all you folks who encouraged and advised.
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