On Wednesday my friends started heading home. As I had the rest of the week of work, I decided to spend a couple more days touring, just my spider, my camera and me.
I planned a cross country route all the way through the Vosges to Mulhouse. It would take me across some stunning scenery. These little windy roads across mountains are known as Colle or Ballons
The first couple of hundred kilometer mostly rolling hills.
But after a while, I reached the Vosges.
This images is taken on of the highest points in the Vosges. I have come across the particular “Ballon” about 5-6 times in the last twenty years. Always with spanner mate Peter and in our two Spiders. This time just by myself. The weather up here can be atrocious. It was quite decent this time, but last time Peter and I drove here we had fog so thick you could not even see the front of your car.
I eventually made my way to Mulhouse. I had hoped to find a hotel or B&B still in the Vosges, but everything was still closed. To early in the season I take. So I made my way to Mulhouse, found a B&B, had a nice dinner, walked around the old town a bit and went to bed early. The next day breakfast at 0600am and I hit the road by 06.30. Long route ahead. I went cross country till about 13.00 hours, stopping for an occasional cup of coffee. By 13.00 hours I was about 50 km south of Luxembourg. From there I took the motorway all the way home. I got home around 1800 on the Thursday evening.
Ini the end I drove just over 2000km in 6 days. Most of that in the last two days. Love these road trips. I prefer to have some mates along, but I am perfectly happy doing endless driving by myself on these sort of country roads.
Friday I spend with a very different pursuit. A few month ago I did a course in astro navigation. That was two days of theory. This Friday was for practice. The instructor took us on his yacht on the IJsselmeer.
My first sextant shot got me a position line within 1 mile of our GPS position. Not bad!
This Sunday first order of the day, sort out the Spider. After 200o kilometre of hard driving on dusty country roads time for some proper cleaning:
With the Spider and the Mercedes out of the garage I also mopped the floor with degreaser.
And of course, (my wife is away abroad), used my wife’s washing machine to clean my rags.
I also took my W123 to a nearby oldtimer event. About 45 km from our home. Planned a nice scenic route that took almost two hours and took me across three rivers in three pontjes (ferries). Waiting for your ferry is a very Dutch and very relaxing way to spend some time. And there are always people that will come and talk to you about your car.
This event is promoted as a Youngtimer Event. There is no real formal definition of what makes a car a yountimer. By and large, it tends to be cars between 15-25 years old. But as you will see, there was quite a selection. This place is sort of commercial museum. All the cars inside the building are for sale. And the venue is used for all sorts of car events.
A selection of some images that will show the variety of cars present:
Rotary engine bay:
Remember these Volvo’s? Quite advanced at its time. Plagued with electronic troubles though. Fancy dashboard, but lots of problems
We had one of these little VW Polo’s. But for some reason it always misted up terribly.
Of course, some Italian hardware
And the little Japanese were out in force too
There are always some market stalls, selling all kinds of automative stuff. This one does not need any introduction on a car forum I guess.
Couple of images from inside the museum/ shop
I bought some stuff for my leather seats. I always applied Connoly once a year to the seats of the Spider. But that had run out. So this was a good replacement
When we bought the Spider, the seats were beige leather. Original, but we did not like it. My wife told me to get them replaced right away. So I took them to a little leather upholstery shop and got the re-upholstered with black leather. So far they still look great!
The jacket around the gear shift as well as the one around the handbrake get a good dollip of this stuff too.
I had also noticed some of the trim on the W123 coming loose.
These things are best seen to immediately before it gets worse. Got some of my special little tools out. These will allow me to push the material back in behind the trim.
I always use this glue for these jobs
Apply the glue of both surfaces, let it dry for five minutes and then press the two together.
Looks good, I am very pleased with it.
So Spider is all clean and polished. No problems at all. In fact this year none of the Spiders gave us any problem. One of the 916s needed a new bulb in its headlight, but that is all.
W123 still driving really well, although I am not entirely happen with the ignition. Might have a go at it next weekend
Jeroen