armb's journal

Filled the Audi's tank yesterday, for the first time in a month or so, or rather didn't quite fill it because I hit Tesco's pay at pump £60 limit first, for the first time. ( Read more... )
Current plan for cars says use the Audi to go to the cottage after Easter (ideally without knocking the exhaust off again, possibly trying to fill some of the worse potholes on the track), then see just how much it needs to get through the MOT, and make a decision after that. We'll keep the Ka till then in case the Audi is either off the road for a while or dies, but it might be sold towards a replacement big car (one which will take five people and two dogs, and camping gear, and a dinghy or two - not necessarily all at the same time, and possibly with the aid of a trailer).

The Audi is better than it was, though the idle is still wobbly. Vindis offered to fit a new idle stabilization valve and its control unit for £800+ (on top of the £200 for what they did do), but I declined.

Still no engine, or news of what has become of it (when I got through to supplier, he said the courier hadn't been answering their phone).
No shortage of other stuff to do about the house (armb's top tip for silicone sealant - disposable vinyl gloves), but my parents are going to need the car they lent us back soon, and we are supposed to be going to Wales for half term. Fingers crossed a new temperature sensor fixes the Audi on Monday.

Went to the National Space Centre on Saturday, which was enjoyable. Got a bit of gardening done on Sunday (though sadly didn't mow the lawn on Saturday evening before friends arrived for supper, and it was far too wet on Sunday) - mostly pruning. Also went to a party (for a book launch, at least nominally) and saw some friends I haven't seen for ages, which was nice.
The Audi still wasn't ready on Friday evening - having got a subtly wrong replacement part four times, Barry at Nice's suspects we might have to get the current caliper overhauled instead of getting an exchange part, which will be another four days or so. Weather doesn't look as nice for cycling as last week.
Checked the U+2 in case Alice needs it in the week if I use the Ka, which was a good thing as a tube needed replacing (hole right next to the valve stem, so I doubt the old one is patchable). Fitted the spare tube, but left further fiddling for tomorrow morning (her bike (which is really Pam's) won't take the U+2 fitting with its current seatpost and rack).