Despite our car being expected yesterday it only arrived at midday today. All the mechanics were engaged with other cars so I did have a car bit I didn't have any help. I felt that I had been triaged, and that fate had self us too many blows. Rob one of the UK mechanics had a look and told me that the head had to come off and we had to look at piston no 6.
Never accept death just because you feel that you have been given up on. James and I started to vet the head off the engine. Sadly James developed a bad nose bleed and despite continuing regardless of blood going everywhere he was suddenly facing a nurse who had been called. Then he was off to hospital.........
Help came in the form of Ronaldo a short charming Philopino who worked like a Trojan until he job was done. We carried on preparing to get the head off bit that would only identify the problem. At that moment David Ayre arrived, driving car no1 and one of the worlds leading Lagonda experts. Suddenly it struck me that this dead car had a chance at life again. Off came the head, off came the sump and all was revealed. Piston no six. The gudgeon pin had, due to too litle tolerance being allowed had effectively welded itsself to the gudgeon pin and the con rod was solid. I had brought all the necessary spare parts so off we went. The piston was replaced with David's tolerances. The head went back on and David reset the rockers. Everything else went back together with Ronldo and his mates. Perhaps there really was a chance for us. Pizza arrives and on we went.
We were ready to start the engine. By this time James was in a Mongolian hospital and I had been doing a proper job for about 7 hours solidly.
Rheims girl started third time and ran like a dream. Would she pass the nail test (ask Alice)? Well I think that she did. It wasn't a text book build bit it was pragmatic. James returned not bleeding which by that time had become my biggest concern. If we had a car but James couldn't come we would have to wait.
By 11.30 tonight we had a car, we have a team and we were back at the hotel having a beer. It is totally humbling to consider the generosity of others in an event like this.
There are no guarantees but we have done all that we could of. I'm knackered and I'm off to try and get the il out from under my fingernails
WE'RE. BACK - for how long time will tell
RHC
Sent from my iPhone
Good stuff, well done. Looking forward to seeing the tag moving.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Well done both of you and all the valiant helpers. Have a good nights sleep and drive carefully tomorrow. Look forward to seeing you on the move with your own steam! Thinking of you. Cal
ReplyDeleteBoys
ReplyDeleteTypical of James, worried that the car was getting all the attention he gets a nose bleed. Good luck tomorrow, and for the rest of the event!
Cuzza
BRAVO! What a team effort. Pizza in Mongolia? Living just a bit too dangerously...
ReplyDelete.
Ham...the very best news Burrough on the Hill can breathe again for the time being!! All our love. Go Go Go xx
ReplyDeletePizza in Mongolia not so bad after all!
ps. no for sale signs as yet!!!
ReplyDeleteJust couldn't be more pleased with your news. One's faith in humannature & goodwill is restored. Havebeen rather holding my breath for the past few days whilst constantly re-checking the 'tracker' hoping to see your blip. My very best wishes for a trouble-free journey from now on. (What's in a Mongolian pizza?)
ReplyDeleteWay to go Hammy boy!! YOure the main man. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeletelove Phil
Ps Savilles sign up already - dont know what Martins on with!!
Marvellous. It'll take more than a dodgy con rod to stop boys like you.
ReplyDeletePaddy
Looking forward to seeing some real road dust on those Mr Toad goggles at long last! Foot to the floor all the way now, and God speed.
ReplyDeleteJulian and Polly
God !! Quel boulot !!
ReplyDeleteC'est un veritable thriller ce rallye !
Even "24h", the series, is more peaceful
tous mes voeux et ceux de St Christophe sont avec vous.
Je vous embrasse et pense bien à vous
Didier
Tip top - the boys are back in town. David Ayres is your nbf. Good luck tomorrow........
ReplyDeleteWell done for sticking with it guys, keep it on the island. I thought it was sounding like a welded gudgeon pin in piston 6, should have said earlier
ReplyDelete25
Brilliant news well done.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear your nails were ruined Ham and covered in oil but worth all the hard work. Bleedin Nora James a nose bleed in the hours of need. Glad to hear you are back and on track, recovered and all together again . Keep eating up those miles!
All the best Richard. Hope things are trouble free from here on! Enjoying reading about your great adventure. Best wishes from Cape Town
ReplyDeleteVanessa Rousseau
We are thinking of you and willing you and your motor on. Keep going!
ReplyDeleteOliver & Charlotte
I'm on tablets ! David Ayre for Pope
ReplyDeleteJames,probably the last question you're able to answer/interested in; is the David Wenman driving car number 06 the same David Wenman who encouraged some outrageous bidding at the 'October Club' whilst we were all having fun at Swiss Bank's expense?
ReplyDeletePS having problems with the 'tracker' thing & not sure exactly where you are. Hope the car & your nose are holding up.
I'll bet james was gutted, having to stay in a mongolian hospital all relaxed and confortable, rather than changeing number 6 pistons.
ReplyDeleteHey boys - Ive been watching your progress q religiously and was amazed by a coincidence that happenned today. Whilst you were driving down the M-52 in Russia, I was driving down the A52 round Grantham! However thats where the coincidences finish because as you were tucking into a yak burger last night - I was having a lovely juicy sirloin steak with a 1995 Le Chambertin a pointe!! HOw are the substantial lunches going Hammy?
ReplyDeletePs Just checked on the Saville's boards at Burrough and was surprised to see 3 fire engines coming down the drive. Couldnt see any smoke but Al was waving them off! Post a blog as soon as you can - I'm dying to hear your news! Cheers Phil
Trusting that the absence of blogs is a techno-gremlin & not a result of intra-cockpit disputatiousness!!! Have managed to re-establish connection to the "tracker" & note that you are now deep into "Borat" territory. Please, no "sexy-time!" Press on!
ReplyDeleteKatie and Michael say good luck- hi Ham I have my kids home at last (Michael's first exeat) and we have just read your blog of 14 Sep. It sounds like a bad day, but you got through it. Hope James is OK and good luck.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget car no 45 Charlie McGowan and John Dickinson. I read their blog and their Bentley seems to be riding all the bumps.
love
Charlie and Mills xox