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Well - a grand tour indeedy...

A guy just built a Caterham on Pistonheads and does look great, but there was hardly any build, as such. Not in anyway the same as our cars and if I built it, would have been disappointed in a way that most of the proper construction was already done for me. I suppose its Caterhams way of keeping build quality up, by not letting joe public start cutting holes, running brakes, wiring and anything else which could be a risk on the road. But to me thats the point of a kit car. Start with a climbing frame, end with an IVA certificate.

I'm a little OCD when it comes to cleanliness so every car I have ever bought has been subjected to a deep clean, even brand new cars. End of a few days of intensive car cleaning with BMW waxed, Merc fully machine polished and waxed and today was the Westfields turn in readiness for a North Wales trip on Tuesday Front wheels off, cleaned and waxed, full clean and checkover of all suspension, bodywork clayed, prepped and topped off with a layer of Mitchell and King Japan, a lovely soft wax that I borrowed from a friend, not that the 20+ waxes I already have would not have done but always keen to try different ones

Given that there is 9 month wait, take a day to assemble, isn't that how long it takes to build a Westfield? more or less.

I have even better roads for Gail, so put the spade away for now. You will love the polar bears story, I have still been laughing at it today.

Oh good, at last there is life out there, Big Andy is also at the caravan over Easter, as well as Martyn. Fishing/Caravans vs Westfields, it's a bit like Broccoli vs Roast Potatoes, there is just no comparison. Let us know later on then Dave, I will need to warn all the children about the polar bears

Thankfully no but I have worn a pigeon for which I was pleased for it to get on my helmet and not my open face

And now painted a lovely shade of Westfield Orange. Sorry for the out of focus photo.

Will be Carol and myself too.

I was trying to make a point here but was obviously too subtle Here's one of my experiences with changing tyres: 2014: Racing in an MX-5 single marque series, I won both races that weekend with a best lap of Snett 300 in 2:30.5. This was on Federal RSR-595 tyres. The next year, the series changed to Nankang NS-20 tyres - a cheap Chinese road tyre. Nothing else on the car changed and I lapped in 2:25.2. Clearly the difference is down to the tyres, right?

Welcome to the madhouse. It is feasible to get a car for that money, but always blow the man maths when car buying. Have a blast in Kevins for inspiration and the noise of a mighty crossflow

Model disassembled ready for the conversion.

Meeting up with friends in Corwen then doing the Evo Triangle and the roads around them, making sure not to miss out the B4391

Today was the premier of a new and very special member of the Peak District area, Alan's new best friend 'The Derbyshire Duck' Alan and 'Ducky' called for us, and we all called for Big Andy and Natalie, with Debbie following in the tin top. Off we went on the A1 south to meet Andrew and Clare, Ian, Martyn and Sue in McDonalds. Quickly joined by Chris and Mo we all arrived in convoy and parked up nice and close to the ice cream van. Flying the flag for Westfield Some people were properly organised with chairs and brollies, weren't they Martyn and Andrew? We were some of the first cars there so we could watch the others arriving. Hundreds of them there were, the best turn out yet. Ben had got it well organised and had moved the entrance right up to the top, so not to cause a traffic jam on the main road. The marshalls worked efficiently and got everyone into position nice and quickly, I think they had a bit of a hunch that it was going to be busy. Other cars arriving, well I had to photograph the MX5 Mk1, what else did you expect. After a wander about and a chat with our friends from the NWKCOG we said our goodbye's and headed for home. For us, we followed Alan home on a much improved route to mine and we will definitely take that way again, so thank you Alan. Great company, would be better if there were a few more classic cars there, would be better if the roads twisted a bit more, perhaps a hill or two would help, still it was good to see everyone and meet Ian's new car. Next weekend is Easter, it's Cars and Coffee in Grantham on the Saturday, Robin Red Spider's meet on the Sunday, with a wiggle back through the Peak District. We have renamed Robin, he is now called Robin Red Kite, well, the pub he meets at is called The Red Kite!

Well I've put an order in for a new S4 Avant. Drove the new S4 saloon today and was very pleasantly surprised. Managed to get almost £8k off the list price using car wow and driving down to Manchester Audi. So brand new Audi, all the toys, inc a towbar for less than a 4month old one with 5k miles. Just need to see when delivery date is. Until then I'm going to either purchase a £300 focus from a garage around the corner or a little red lupo gti I've seen on eBay.

You know it makes sense - see if you can get a late entry, it was a no brainer at £70 entry

How to go 6 months back in time in a day... Still awaiting a clutch delivery (damn those slow posting sellers!) but eventually got the flywheel off and the new one on. Even my wife appreciated the difference between the 'boat anchor' and the retro-ford one. Fingers crossed the weather next (long) weekend is just as nice as today, otherwise I'll be struggling for space inside the garage... As a side note, I tried my old clutch cover on the new flywheel and it fitted perfectly! Wasn't expecting that... Guess my old clutch is a Pinto one... The new starter motor is also already a better fit than the 'unknown' one I got. I'd almost say "money well spend"

Received stickers and card, Thanks Howard - see you Sat evening some time. marto you doing Wiscombe? Cheers

The train leaving Louth station is the 11-46 to Cadwell park, stopping at ... nowhere!

I'm at Wiscombe Saturday and Sunday :-)

...or maybe the placebo factor Adam

Used them on an MX-5 race car the other weekend. Nothing to say other than they were 'fine'. Didn't blow me away but didn't think they were rubbish. So I think 'good for the money' is the best way I can put it You will probably hear rave reviews from everyone else, because they are likely the first performance tyre they've used, and / or they aren't using them to their limits...