Jackdaw 46

25th June 2007 Monday
Everything has come to a halt with Jackdaw. AGAIN!
The transit failed its test last Monday big time!
I had a look under the van and the tester was sticking a screwdriver around the underneath of the van so it looked like Swiss cheese. Apart from that the prop shaft is about to drop out and the front bearings and brakes all need to be renewed. We did not know what to do, we have a boat load of work on and next week we are going down to Croydon and Kidderminster to do shows so I was starting to panic.
We spent the rest of the day looking around for a new van. I have grown up with Transits so we looked at couple of the new shaped ones but 5 years old vans that were in about the same tatty condition as ours had prices going for around 4 grand plus vat. Then we got a phone call from the eldest daughter her partner was selling his X reg Vito for £3500 and they offered it to us for £2600 interest free credit so we decided to buy it for now just to tide us over then we can get a van that I want instead of panic buying and asked when he wanted the first payment of 50 pence a month to start. On Tuesday the car failed but it was only a sill so that eventually got through but while talking to the welder guy I asked if it was worth getting the van repaired and he made quite reassuring noises that he could probably rebuild the underneath with new panels and such for less than 500 quid that should last at least another couple of years. This got me thinking.
On Wednesday we had a show. On Thursday I rang Andy to go and collect the last bits for Jackdaw but I mainly wanted to know if he would do the mechanics on the transit. Funnily enough he had just finished repairing one with virtually the same problems as ours so he has agreed to do it.
It makes sense if we can keep this van for another couple of years as the engine timing belt has just been done when a new water pump was fitted 2 weeks ago and recently a new windscreen was fitted. If it costs about £700 to keep it on the road for 2 years it will be worth it.
We are working all week through to next Monday so it goes to the welder Tuesday for about 4 days then I will contact Andy. I have insured the Vito for now and we will use that until I can get the Transit back on the road.

One day Jackdaw. One day!

3rd August 2007 Friday
Sorry I have been very lax with Jackdaw over the past few weeks I just have not had any time to even look at it. We have been working almost every day with shows and on top of that I’m trying to get my red van sorted out.
I have finally got the MOT on the Tranny, £500 welding and £200 for Andy to do the mechanics, a bit pricey but if I can make it last another 2 years it will be worth it. It still needs some cosmetic work on the body but it should be back in action soon. I have been using the Vito in the mean time and although it’s not a bad van (and dam fast) it’s just not the same as faithful old red. Just a comment to Mercedes the central locking system sucks.
I took a photo at a show last week then I came across an old photo from the same venue taken 4 years ago. You can see by the tree in the background it’s almost an identical shot from the same spot but 4 years apart. SPOOKY!