Good news, we have just received the keys to our sons brand new house, soon he will be in with a team of carers. It’s been a mountain to climb but I will save you you all that. Earlier this year both my wife and I contracted that dreaded virus. My wife was so bad she landed in hospital for tests, I wasn’t too bad but the constant coughing brought up blood then I landed in hospital myself for a nasal operation, nothing too serious but the aftermath was bad the bleeding went on and on, took ages to stop, even now months later it’s not an option to sneeze through my nose, so hey ho here we are now.

The Coop has been a hassle lately as well, still haven’t sorted the bonnet pull. Some weeks ago I had a broken front spring at some speed may I add, honestly thought the engine had blown up it was such a bang. I’m now on normal springs plus a brand new tyre. Getting it all sorted and trailered to a garage that would do the work was expensive. Now I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m toying with the fact of parting company with my beloved Coop. I feel so guilty when expensive bills are needed for the Coop, my wife does understand but it’s been tens of thousands over the years, not only that getting a garage/someone look at the beastie is not easy up here.

If someone offered me the right price I get rid right now but I’m tied into a couple of years of a good insurance deal so this is an excuse to hang on for a wee bit longer. There are other factors but it just seems to add up to moving on.

Thanks for listening Jim.

I'm pleased to read about your son's new house Jim and sorry to hear of you and your wife's health issues.

In the end it comes down to what is best for you and your family. Only you and yours can decide what to do about the car.

I'm lucky in that there is no question of what will happen to my coupe should I not be able to cope with it before I finally croak.

It is going to my grandson who has known it for all but 3 years of his life.

Thanks Pete, lucky Grandson. Aye believe it or not I was going to leave my Coop to my Grandson and his Dad. It’s still a labour of love. Even the smallest of jobs costs a small fortune, well it does me up here.

Sorry to hear you both succumbed to the unmentionable Jim and in no easy way either.

I'd offer to do the bonnet cable myself if I were anywhere near.

Hang in there

Thank you Simon that’s a very generous offer indeed. You know me Simon, I’m usually up beat but lately it’s just been one thing and another.

Hello Jim

Sorry that life is tough at the moment.

Could you be satisfied keeping your car just OK, and not trying to fight it's old age wear and tear ?

Mine is average condition, would benefit from some rust work, sort out the Aircon, chip in windscreen.

BUT, I love it, use it nearly every day, and take it to local shows.

I'm not a mechanic, but like keeping it looking as best as I can, popping out every other day or so, spending 10-15 mins, doing bits and bobs.

Would that be possible ?

Very best wishes

Paul

Aye Paul, it does seem easy to carry on with my Coop on paper. I’ve had my Coop for about 16 years now and as we all know it’s one of those cars just gets to you. At the moment instead of paying a local garage hundreds of pounds to fix the bonnet pull plan B is in progress. Old war wounds have come back to haunt me especially my legs and my left knee, this really curtails what I’m capable of doing, but that’s a whole different story.

Aye Jim it's a pain, and after your help to me I'd love to be able to return the favour. Sadly, geography is against us...

However, one thing: you've just *done* the work on the springs and tyres; why give the benefit to someone else if you can use for another year or two?

Neil

Aye Neil not that long ago it would’ve been an easy decision, move to now, I’m tired and weary, I’m in pain most of the time. I’m certainly not giving up but as I’ve said earlier there are limits what I can do nowadays, I do get annoyed at myself but hey ho that’s life.

I have much the same feeling Jim but I've got a few years on you. It is really frustrating when you can't do things that previously you could.

Have you yet got to the point of swearing at your hands when they won't do what you want ?

I have almost no feeling in mine and most of my mornings start with a good old fashioned curse at them when I struggle to slice and butter croissants for breakfast.

Pete

Dunk plain croissants in milky coffee or hot chocolate.

Saves on faffing about.

I now have a bonnet pull that works thanks to Simon. Hats off to that man he’s practically saved the ownership of my Coop for the future. I traveled down to Edinburgh yesterday to Simons house, to say it was an adventure would be an under statement. Being a country boy I’m certainly not used to the queues, bus lanes, closed off streets and many many pedestrians. I had my trusty sat nav without it I would have still trying to get out of the city.

I can’t thank Simon enough, kind of lost the plot these last months, he’s a good listener. Once again Simon many thanks.

No problem Jim, that's what the community's for

And thank you for your donation to the Club

Well, that’s me back in the room, spent all day cleaning the Coops engine and bay. The loves back I’ve used cleaners oils and other things that I forgot I had so no expensive shopping trip to start off with.

Great

For some reason I’m fixated by the bonnet lock attached to the bonnet (spring/hook) for being far too rusty. Been looking for a new one to no avail. So I’ve taken the offending mechanism off and started the process of de rusting. I’ve so far managed to get most rust off with the help of a gel deruster. Now it’s been soaking in white vinegar and salt which is working quite well on the last bits. Quite satisfying I must admit.

Haha you're definitely hooked again

It was one of the first things my (now retired) local paintshop guy noticed when the bonnet was up, a shiny and lubed bonnet catch

Simon - you're an absolute star The power of the club at its best

Hey guys lighten up, don't want these fellas sarf of the Border raising their eyebrows

Just for them, Simon

Neil

Blimey that guy's got big hands!

I wonder if he has a really small Tommy gun as well ?