The new fan heater made a huge difference overnight. I left it on with the thermostat down lowish, it cut in a couple of times that I noticed (and probably a few that I didn't). Having showered and breakfasted I was contemplating another coffee when one of the "neighbours" came to tell me I'd got a flat tyre. He kindly brought his electric compressor over but it was immediately clear that another valve has failed. The spare is now on and I'll be contacting ETyres on Tuesday - 2 failures in a matter of weeks when they were new tyres less than 2 years ago is unacceptable.
Having sorted that and cleaned up I walked round to the Transport Museum, expecting Steve to join me. Instead he phoned, the engine warning had come on in his car and it was making horrible noises so he was awaiting the breakdown service. Unfortunately the technical term for the fault was k*******d so all he could do was wait to be recovered. The signs are it might well be terminal as the car may not be with the repair cost. It definitely put a damper on the day and I'd have appreciated the company.
There are a lot of busses, plus some other stuff in the collection. It's mainly Midland Red and its predecessors and successors with a few others. Overheard early on from a Clippie, "I've lost a bus!" I felt like replying, "Well there are plenty to choose from!"
They also have a small electric vehicle collection, mainly milk floats and vans. We tend to forget that battery propulsion is nothing new, although the technology has improved considerably. I do have a problem these days with commercial vehicles, I automatically eye up the campervan conversion potential! Trouble is I need something that can do more than 30 miles on a charge.
The local engineering society runs a miniature railway around part of the site, as I can't resist a train ride I paid my 60p to be hauled round by a model Black 5. With the weather deteriorating I went and had a pork pie and sandwich, looked round the shop and felt I'd done enough. There wasn't a lot else to do except have a lazy afternoon reading in the campervan.
I was in two minds about just sitting tight for the evening but, with the weather largely holding off, I decided to get a bit more exercise and walk the couple of miles to the pub. I'd left it open as to whether I'd just have a couple of pints or eat dinner as well. It's a Chef and Brewer pub but the menu, including a new British menu for this month is fantastic. It took me two pints to decide what to have! The Hog Roast Burger was badly presented (I.e. it came on a board with the chips in a flower pot) but by Jove it tasted good.
Incidentally, I apologise for the lack of pictures, the software I use doesn't seem to like posting them. They'll go up on the website after I get home.
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