Hi all,

Cornwall UK is longer the English Riviera, now rains constantly. I forgot to check underneath the van and now found the leaf spring mounts don't mount anymore and the rear axle has all but broken 2 miles after a 1000 mile trip to Windsor. Soo, I dug a 6 foot deep pit, walled it up (my farmer neighbour asked if I had buried it) and put an 8" slab either side to carry the van into its next life. My local cousin is a welder of North sea rigs and has very kindly offered to do any welding as long as I do the grunt of strip down, remove axle and lpg donut and take off the existing mounts and wire brush and grind clean - that kind of stuff. Four years ago I spent 300 hours rebuilding his Storbro at the Gweek Classic boat yard 400 yards down the hill from here, and this is how we work together. I think the Greeks used to call it quid pro quo (translation: if I lend you money I want it back) in their latin moments. Anyhow....... I'm wasting time

Planning to repair/replace structural areas and anything to pass UK MOT, although in other respects I've looked after the van, changing the oil 5/6 times a year, transmission oil every two years and done all the suspension and steering maintenance. I'd also like to fettle the bodywork and respray - I have facilities here on site as I have hived off the workshop and land to build another house (next years project, a passiv haus, if you need to know, which basically means I get somebody else to do the work) which is where the inspection pit is located - about 100 yards from home - God, I can't believe how lazy I've become. I'm noticing a common thread here, so I should worry - bot probably won't.

I will take some photos if anyone is interested. This is my first time here so I don't even know if anyone is really listening. Please let me know.

More later - I must test a new delivery of Spanish red - do I need to press the importance of prioritising stuff in your lives?

Bonjour

Philip A