Tina's Blog Homepage » On the home front

Last of the autumn leaves in our garden

Tina — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 02:56:23 +0000

Van @ large

Tina — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 20:59:41 +0000

Over the long weekend Bruce and I took the van for a holiday. Considering the van was off the road for 15 years, she did really well on a long trip. Only problem was a leak in the radiator, which we discovered when we had to pull over to check out a strange noise coming from the engine (the fuel pump, but not a major). The bigger problem was the gouts of steam pouring out from under the bonnet. Thankfully there was a house across the road and a helpful chap gave us several bottles of water to top up the radiator. Interestingly, during the entire 15 or 20 minutes that we were perched on the side of the busy highway, not one vehicle stopped to check we were okay! What has happened to our Kiwi spirit of helping out somebody in trouble? Or maybe the drivers, not knowing anything about car engines, didn’t think it was worth stopping. At any rate, I’m just glad it was only the radiator, not something more serious, and that there was actually somebody across the highway who could help.

Big day for the Morrie

Tina — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 05:43:34 +0000

Today, after spending the last month in the garage having various bits sanded and spray painted, I took my van off to the testing station for a WOF. This is the first time I’ve properly driven my van, and it went very nicely.

The Indian chap at the station approached my van looking somewhat bemused. He had a little trouble finding out which switches to press to get the indicators and lights going, so it all took a little longer than it might normally with a modern vehicle.

And did the van pass the WOF? Nope. But then, I wasn’t expecting it to. The good news is that there were only four minor things needing to be fixed – no problemo.

Coming back, as I neared the roundabout, a flashing ambulance was coming up from behind. I took the van quickly through the roundabout, indicated, and pulled over. Just in time. The ambulance sped us, giving a toot in thanks.

New addition

Tina — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:32:15 +0000

Here is the latest addition to our family: a 1965 Morris Minor van. This is the first time I have ever owned a Morris of any sort, let alone a van, but judging by the comments and waves we get with the other one (the black 1000) it’s a fondly nostalgic vehicle for many New Zealanders. My new van doesn’t have a WOF yet, but once it’s legal, I’m sure I’ll become a familiar sight on Auckland roads.

The Morris fleet