Mat's BX Blog

[mat_fenwick]

Yeah, I imagine it depends on how much extra weight, type and depth of snow etc. as to whether you can cut through or just slide on the surface! It's bad enough towing a horsebox in the snow so I wouldn't want to pull anything bigger!

[Tim Leech]

Its not thaty good where I am, the main roads are fine but my estate is pap, plus I have a steep drive!

[Dollywobbler]

The problem here is the wind. We've had about three inches, but it's blowing around a lot. TZD fired straight up this morning and got around my driveway no problem. Not sure it would get OFF my driveway! Therefore TXD collection has had to be postponed. I still own 2 BXs.

[mat_fenwick]

Wind isn't too bad right here, but we went down to Harlech last night to do some climbing, and it was markedly different. No snow, and blowing a gale!

[Vanny]

I'd send you a picture of the snow here, but there is nothing to take a picture of! About an inch in total fall, roads are clear, side roads occasionally a little slushy but otherwise fine. Still plenty of idiots doing 40mph on the motorway though, the number of swerving trucks makes the second lane exciting. If you can't make motorway speeds on an empty motorway, in mildly damp conditions, its time to stop driving.

[Paul296]

If you can't make motorway speeds on an empty motorway, in mildly damp conditions, its time to stop driving.

Absolutely! Or have a word with the practise incontinence nurse.

[RxBX]

I'd send you a picture of the snow here, but there is nothing to take a picture of! About an inch in total fall, roads are clear, side roads occasionally a little slushy but otherwise fine. Still plenty of idiots doing 40mph on the motorway though, the number of swerving trucks makes the second lane exciting. If you can't make motorway speeds on an empty motorway, in mildly damp conditions, its time to stop driving.

Your extremely lucky then 'in you neck of the woods' !

Here's some photos of the dumping of snow over the last two day's on my Xantia Estate (I'm just 4 miles North/East of Derby city centre as the 'Crow Flys') I thought it was approx. 6 to 7 inches !











However I was surprised @ the /\ !



.

[vulgalour]

There's a crass size joke in there somewhere...

[mat_fenwick]

I wish...

More non BX related stuff now - today I've been busy on the house. Last year I discovered that one of the joists had rotted due to a previous water leak, and I'd been putting off repairing it while I plucked up the courage to tackle it! A plan was formed, so I couldn't put it off any more.

Being to tight to hire Acrow props, I simply cut a few pieces of timber to the correct length, and hammered them into an upright position to support the roof:



Then very carefully, given the close proximity to pipes and cables, cut back to solid wood.



This was the end that was embedded in the wall - I'm amazed it held any weight at all!



I then cut the end of the new joist to match, lifted it into position and bolted it between two steel plates. I'm quite happy with the fit, especially as it was cut by eye with my chainsaw; hardly a precision tool!



Other end of the joist mortared into position - all I need to do now is fix a few more bolts in and wait for it to set.



Oh, and hope that the whole thing doesn't collapse when I remove the supports...

Back to the (red) BX, the Deox gel has almost done its job, and the C pillar seam will soon be ready for welding. With a bit of luck I'll do that one evening this week, then need to set about painting the van. Fortunately I've managed to get temporary use of a large garage (sadly unheated) so I'll be able to do that assuming the temperature rises a little, otherwise the finish will be poor.

[mat_fenwick]

Had to turn round and find an alternative route this morning - the drifts were too deep for a 2wd car



Although traction was generally good, the amount of snow building up in front of the bumper meant I couldn't push through. And reversing out was tricky too, as the undertray acted as a large snow scoop!

At least conditions were better than the weekend:
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[Vanny]

Didn't you just adjust the ride height?

Oh no, wait, you where in an evil Ford.


Have you learned your lesson?

[mat_fenwick]

Rub it in why don't you! Think I'll go back that way tonight, and see if the problem can be solved with more speed - what's the worst that could happen?

[vulgalour]

Think I'll go back that way tonight, and see if the problem can be solved with more speed - what's the worst that could happen?

[mat_fenwick]

That doesn't look fun. I suspect that the worst that could happen in my case is that I end up off the road in a peat bog, with a few miles walk to get into mobile coverage. Not something I plan on doing! I do like a bit of an adventure though, so may see what the road is like later. I can resort to chains if it does get stuck, and it does cut 10 miles off my journey...

But strictly no flying

[Vanny]

Where has the audi estate gone that the TT was sat on?

Seems a rather bloody stupid thing to do, the TT is likely to rip that house a new garage now!