A Naviscat

The MG Car Club SE Centre regularly runs Naviscats, so called because navigation is required and the process scatters cars all over the area as they seek to amass points. At the start some 40 sets of co-ordinates are given to the participants who then rush to plot them on a map, decide on a route between the start location and the given end-point and then set off to the find the answer to a clue at each location. The aim is to visit as many locations as possible, get as many correct answers as possible and make it to the destination in t allotted time, as it is strictly adhered to and points are deducted for each minute over time.

Murray had read about these outings and since one was advertised for this weekend, the weather was fine and I was not stuck at Bewley Motors needing something done, he thought it would be a good idea to head south and join the other MGs for a naviscat.

There were probably twenty cars at the start, even another Y, a few Ts and a number of our modern cousins. After the briefing it was a mad scramble for the drivers and navigators to plot the points on their maps and then we were off heading in different directions in the quest for points and glory when the results were announced.

Some of the clues were so easy there was no need to even stop, we simply drove by; others were fiendishly cryptic. It was not unusual to pass other MGs going in the opposite direction as each team plotted the route as they thought best.

The end point was a gathering of even more MGs, possibly 50, where the drivers and passengers enjoyed a barbeque, or picnic, some entertainment and, optionally, took part in a Pride of Ownership or a Gymkhana.

The winner of the Pride of Ownership was a beautiful blue 1932 F Type but Murray and Christine were also very impressed with a sweet little red 1931 J1 Salonette, the only one of its type in the world, which has been lovingly and painstakingly restored by the current owners

Lost in the post

The replacement regulator got lost in the post and did not arrive until yesterday. Murray collected me today and now my battery charge meter is well into the positive region so hopefully my electrical troubles are over.

While in the garage, the last of my brand new tyres and tubes were fitted. When that was first attempted, one of the new tubes exploded nearly scaring the wits out of James, the mechanic. The tube was replaced and has been waiting for a suitable time to be fitted.

The delay in the arrival of the regulator meant that I missed the opportunity to join Murray and Christine on a visit to Nuffield Place on Sunday.

Nuffield Place was the home of Lord and Lady Nuffield, formerly Mrs & Mrs William Morris; the man behind the Morris and M.G. motorcars. Ultimately it was not only Morris but Austin, Riley and Wolseley that entered the Morris fold.

Electrics again!

It was not a battery problem at all. This afternoon Murray tried to start me and, once again, there was simply nothing doing in the battery department. So, jumper leads were needed again and off we went to Bewley Motors.

I am really not having much luck in the electrical department. When I my engine was overhauled, a new dynamo, new regulator and electronic ignition were fitted. One by one all these new things have failed. The electronic ignition was replaced and failed again, so was removed. The dynamo failed and was replaced and now the regulator has died.

So, I am waiting at BewleyMotors while John gets the regulator replaced.

Another eventful weekend

Murray thought it would be a good idea for another shakedown run out into the countryside on Saturday so came out to give me a whirl but absolutely nothing happened when he tried the starter button; nada, zip, zero.

So, off to Halfords for some cheap jumper leads, connected me to his other car and presto, I was up and running. After a couple of miles we had to stop to get some fuel and when he came to start me again, not a peep, not a sausage, not a bean.

Since we were not far from home, and far too embarrassed to call the AA once again, he caught a bus back and returned with his other car. Out with the jumpers and I was off again.

Fancy having to be assisted by a modern car, and a French one to boot, twice in one morning.

So, that was the end of their run into the country, instead it was a run back to Bewley Motors where John fitted a new battery and my starting troubles were over. Unfortunately so was the sunshine for the day, so no run in the country.

Sunday morning we all went up to Luton to the Luton Festival of Transport: a great collection of vintage, classic, muscle and weird cars as well as a few trucks, buses, motorcycles and military vehicles but the vehicle that seemed to turn most heads was a Model T Ford driven by a couple of bears.

Leaving the car show we jaunted across the countryside to Hatfield where Murray and Christine had a look around Hatfield House before we returned to London.