We have posted the following article here as it was meant to of been in the latest newsletter but Wendy never received it so it must still be out there somewhere! As Derek had taken the time to write the article and send photos we thought it was only right to share it here..
“OLD THADDEUS”
‘HAPPY NEW YEAR’
Long time since writing to the newsletter but been suffering a bad attack of writers cramp, but it’s time to get my finger out and get it to work on the keys!
Not much on the telly, but a couple of programs with a bit of local. 4th. Nov. Alan Titchmarch “Fifty Shades of Green” showing 50 favourite gardens, one close to lots of us – started showing a Petersfield/Midhurst road sign then Terwick Church on the A272 with nice pictures of the field of Lupins in full bloom.
Another with local interest ‘Poirot’ the stolen aerpplane plans car chase over Two Bridges (Tilford) then through the ford at Frenshams small pond.
In the garden.
The Goldfinches are back, seen Song Thrush and several Starlings which are making a come back to the garden after several years missing. Blackbird feeding it’s family, a Sparrow Hawk decided to have his lunch of Ring Dove on the back lawn. The Holly had lots of berry’s until the Redwings arrived and removed every berry in two days. Our one and only apple tree (over 100 year old Newton Wonder) did us proud this year wiyh a bumper crop of Apples, The Oak also had a bumper crop of acorns not so good to ages to clear up!.
The Land Rover.
The Land Rover is making slow progress these 1948 had so many changes in the 1st. 1000 produced and ours being the 888 one fall in this group, Gearbox, Axle diff ratios, springs, spring shackles (front), wheels (valve hole position), brakes (cylinders, connectors, pipes, back plates, shoes), lights, grill and many more fittings etc. The early brakes were Girling HYDRASTATIC (self adjusting) the shoe lining was cut below the second row of rivets so tha the loewr section was held by two rivets only a hole was drilled in the metal shoe a spring and plunger was fitted which pushed that section of shoe to run in contact with the brake drum. OK kept the brake adjusted but in use in mud and water which got into the drum wore the shoes out rather to fast! so the brakes were changed to SEMI – HYDRASTATIC (adjustable). We found someone who remakes these shoes.
Hope to be out more this year, Hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year, Roll on the Summer.
