12/04/2012
Austin restored to its former glory
A number of previously popular vehicles have been consigned to the dustbin of time. Take a walk around a local scrap-yard and you're bound to see the parts of once grand cars such as the Sierra Cosworth or Rolls Royce. However, there are some motoring enthusiasts who are unwilling to stand by while their favourite cars deteriorate.
One such vehicle fanatic couldn't quite believe his eyes upon opening the garage of a recently deceased next-door neighbour to find a rusting and sad looking Austin 'Heavy'. As a long-term family friend he saw fit to enquire about the purchase and restoration of this 1930s vehicle.
Keen to see the classic car go to a good home the neighbour’s family readily accepted the offer and the vehicle's restoration is now complete. With a new lick of paint, exhaust system and tyres, the vehicle is ready to begin impressing the local people once more.
The new owner said, “It’s surprising how many gadgets there are, such as a picnic table on the back seat – it’s quite sophisticated really.
“When we took it to the petrol station we told the attendant that it was the first time it had been filled up in 53 years.”
As avid car lovers we are particularly intrigued to hear of similar noteworthy stories. So if you've taken the time to restore a battered and beaten rally car or a rusty Morris Minor then why not tell us about it? You never know, the story might even be good enough to feature in one of our regular blogs.
One such vehicle fanatic couldn't quite believe his eyes upon opening the garage of a recently deceased next-door neighbour to find a rusting and sad looking Austin 'Heavy'. As a long-term family friend he saw fit to enquire about the purchase and restoration of this 1930s vehicle.Keen to see the classic car go to a good home the neighbour’s family readily accepted the offer and the vehicle's restoration is now complete. With a new lick of paint, exhaust system and tyres, the vehicle is ready to begin impressing the local people once more.
The new owner said, “It’s surprising how many gadgets there are, such as a picnic table on the back seat – it’s quite sophisticated really.
“When we took it to the petrol station we told the attendant that it was the first time it had been filled up in 53 years.”
As avid car lovers we are particularly intrigued to hear of similar noteworthy stories. So if you've taken the time to restore a battered and beaten rally car or a rusty Morris Minor then why not tell us about it? You never know, the story might even be good enough to feature in one of our regular blogs.
Photo © Jon’s pics via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: Austin, cars, classic car, garage, motoring, restoration, Rolls Royce, scrap-yard, Sierra Cosworth, vehicles
17/02/2012
Antifreeze fish
Has your car ever run out of antifreeze at the wrong moment, resulting in you having to rummage around in the garage or your boot to top it up while grumbling about how cold it is outside?
Well, one group of fish will never have to worry about this problem.
Yes, we know that no fish will ever have this problem because none of them – to our knowledge – are drivers, but that’s not what we meant.
These particular fish, the notothenioids, live in sub-zero waters in the Antarctic and have developed what is being called ‘natural antifreeze’ in their bodies which makes them able to survive the devastatingly cold temperatures they swim in.
There are more than 120 of these ‘antifreeze’ fish species and they have managed to live for millions of years and through the ice age that killed many other fish that hadn’t adapted well enough to the cold.
Worryingly though, these marine animals have adapted themselves so well to the cold that if climate change increases the temperatures of their water too much, they’re unlikely to survive.
So, the next time you top up the antifreeze in your car, think of these strange Antarctic fish and drive in an economical way to help reduce your carbon footprint. The notothenioids would thank you if they could.
Well, one group of fish will never have to worry about this problem. Yes, we know that no fish will ever have this problem because none of them – to our knowledge – are drivers, but that’s not what we meant.
These particular fish, the notothenioids, live in sub-zero waters in the Antarctic and have developed what is being called ‘natural antifreeze’ in their bodies which makes them able to survive the devastatingly cold temperatures they swim in.
There are more than 120 of these ‘antifreeze’ fish species and they have managed to live for millions of years and through the ice age that killed many other fish that hadn’t adapted well enough to the cold.
Worryingly though, these marine animals have adapted themselves so well to the cold that if climate change increases the temperatures of their water too much, they’re unlikely to survive.
So, the next time you top up the antifreeze in your car, think of these strange Antarctic fish and drive in an economical way to help reduce your carbon footprint. The notothenioids would thank you if they could.
Photo © NOAA Photo Library via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: adapted, Antarctic, antifreeze, boot, car, carbon footprint, cold, driver, economical, fish, garage, notothenioids, sub-zero, temperature, water
30/12/2011
A food-filled Christmas
Over the past couple of weeks, here at duck2water we have been getting into the festive spirit of things and, now that Christmas day has been, we have exchanged anecdotes and horror stories of how our individual days went.
From charcoaled turkeys to unwanted gifts of shoe polish, it seems that everyone has at least one outrageous story to share.
However, when it comes to Christmas food, it seems that no one can quite agree on what makes a perfect Christmas. Some of us swear by homemade mince pies, whereas others feel they get a much better deal with the deeper fillings of the shop-bought pies.
The majority of us went for traditional turkey dinners, but one of us went for the controversial choice of a leg of lamb, while another has spent a great deal time trying to convince us all her vegetarian option of a nut roast was actually to die for!
Hmm... the jury is still out on that one!
However, one thing we all seemed to have in common was that we all chose to keep our cars locked away in garages on Christmas day so we could enjoy a celebratory drink or two.
Happy New Year everyone!
From charcoaled turkeys to unwanted gifts of shoe polish, it seems that everyone has at least one outrageous story to share.However, when it comes to Christmas food, it seems that no one can quite agree on what makes a perfect Christmas. Some of us swear by homemade mince pies, whereas others feel they get a much better deal with the deeper fillings of the shop-bought pies.
The majority of us went for traditional turkey dinners, but one of us went for the controversial choice of a leg of lamb, while another has spent a great deal time trying to convince us all her vegetarian option of a nut roast was actually to die for!
Hmm... the jury is still out on that one!
However, one thing we all seemed to have in common was that we all chose to keep our cars locked away in garages on Christmas day so we could enjoy a celebratory drink or two.
Happy New Year everyone!
Photo © peterjroberts via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: anecdotes, cars, Christmas, garage, horror stories, mince pies, New Year
23/12/2011
From mobility scooter to Rolls Royce
Everyone has a favourite television programme, whether it’s watching a hard-hitting documentary or indulging in a slightly far-fetched crime show. Here at duck2water we are fans of all sorts of different series, ranging from EastEnders to River Cottage to The Sopranos.
However, there is a great-grandfather who loves one particular television programme so much that he has gone to great lengths to create himself a permanent souvenir of the series.
The 74-year-old Thunderbirds fan has converted his mobility scooter into a replica of Lady Penelope’s Rolls Royce. He travels round dressed as the famous chauffeur, Parker, and has even put a model of Lady Penelope herself in the back of the vehicle.
The retired construction worker decided to build the creation to drive in a cancer charity run after a long-running wish that he could drive Lady Penelope around.
He said, “I set about building her Rolls Royce in my garage out of bits of old wood I had lying around.
“People are very supportive when they see me driving around town and I've even been stopped to sign autographs. I love being able to raise a smile for people.”
If only we could be chauffeured in a Rolls Royce on daily basis!
However, there is a great-grandfather who loves one particular television programme so much that he has gone to great lengths to create himself a permanent souvenir of the series.
The 74-year-old Thunderbirds fan has converted his mobility scooter into a replica of Lady Penelope’s Rolls Royce. He travels round dressed as the famous chauffeur, Parker, and has even put a model of Lady Penelope herself in the back of the vehicle.
The retired construction worker decided to build the creation to drive in a cancer charity run after a long-running wish that he could drive Lady Penelope around.
He said, “I set about building her Rolls Royce in my garage out of bits of old wood I had lying around.
“People are very supportive when they see me driving around town and I've even been stopped to sign autographs. I love being able to raise a smile for people.”
If only we could be chauffeured in a Rolls Royce on daily basis!
Photo © squeezeomatic via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car, drive, garage, mobility scooter, Rolls Royce, Thunderbirds, vehicle
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