Fixing the flashers

Whilst away in Cornwall the indicators stopped working for right hand turns. An onsite investigation with the multimeter showed that the switch was the root of the program. A quick web search showed that replacement would be costly so I thought I'd have a look and see what could be done about a repair.

When the casing had been taken off this is what was inside. A sealed unit with a metal cover and plastic base. A little exploratory probe with the  pliers showed that the tags were not going to bend so something more drastic was required. Time for the hacksaw.

Once the tags were removed the casing came off fairly easily and the contents carefully removed. The mechanism inside the box is actually very simple a few metal plates and contacts on the indicator arm held together with springs and plastic moulding. Fairly quickly the source of the problem became apparent. there was a build up of grease and dirt covering the contacts for the right hand indicator.

There was also a bit of damage to the plastic meaning that the contact was slightly sunken below the surface. To resolve the issue some decidedly low tech fixes were employed. A bit of cleaning with some white spirit and a little levering with a thin screwdriver to raise the level of the contact and the unit was in much better shape.

 
The cleaning finished all that remained was to put it all back together. In Haynes speak this would be the 'refitting is the reverse of removal' bit. Good job I took some pictures and looked carefully how everything fitted together.

The parts laid out ready for reassembly

All back together ready to put the cover back on

Olympics, meetings and an early departure

With the exciting news about our the new arrival to the family we headed east to Trewan Hall. I set up camp whilst Vanessa headed to the playground with Toby and Millie.

We then headed for a wander around the site and a dip in  the outdoor swimming pool. Toby loved Jumping in off the diving board and Millie got out and played fetch the float (well she threw it into the pool and i was soft enough to fetch it repeatedly).

Even away on a camping holiday in the wilds of Cornwall events in London had not escaped our notice so we headed to the barn to watch the opening ceremony. It appears that everyone else had the same idea as the barn was packed. We found a spot where Toby could see perched on my shoulders and Millie and Vanessa could just about see. Vanessa had had enough standing up and Millie grew tired so we headed back to Maisie to set up. With the Girls settled Toby and I headed back to watch the rest of the ceremony. Toby managed to last until countries beginning with 'M' until he final fell asleep so we missed Team GB and the lighting of the Olympic flame (now we know what the weird jugs were for).

The next day we planned to visit the Eden Centre and got all the way to the car park before we got a call from George and an Invite to meet Niamh. Toby was particularly smitten and hogged most of the cuddles. We all enjoyed seeing meeting Niamh and managed to actually go into the Eden Centre the next day.

The following day we planned a town wander so headed towards Newquay then along the coast to Padstow. We had a lovely lunch and then managed to get on board and look around the Lifeboat. That evening at the campsite Toby and Millie enjoyed the brass band despite Millie spending most of the concert outside after complaining it was too loud.

We went again to visit George, Kev Jamie and Niamh. We headed out to the park with Kev and Jamie Toby and Millie enjoyed a great run around and George even brought Niamh out for her first park trip. We got back to the site in time to take part in the Trewan Hall Olympics where Toby and Millie both tried hard in their races and I even made it to the final of the Dad's race (which involved dressing up as much as athletic prowess). That evening the entertainment was a Rock band which both of the children enjoyed, especially Toby who indulged in some very enthusiastic air guitar.

The next day we decided to head home a little earlier than planned. The weather forecast suggested we had had the best f the weather and Vanessa was finding that heavily pregnant was not the most comfortable way to camp. Toby and Millie even helped pack up the tent (well Toby helped while Millie spread the pegs around).

Tractor rides and a new arrival

We chose Pennance mill after reading about it in Volkworld Camper & Bus Magazine. Its a small campsite based on a farm near Falmouth. The owner (Alan) is a VW fan and the magazine held their event here last year (and have another one planned after we will have returned to Sheffield). They even have a mill wheel and tractor rides each day. There isn't exactly a fixed time but the kids soon learn what it means when the tractor horn sounds.

We signed in and got set up then headed straight out to Falmouth for fish and chips by the harbour. We thought we'd splash out so we popped in to Stein's Fish and Chip shop. A lovely fish and chip supper eaten outside overlooking the harbour and we we ready to call it a day.

We spent the next day on the beach at Swanpool enjoying the sunny weather. It was til hot fairly late into the evening as the sun was starting to go down. On Monday we took a trip to Pendennis castle intending to spend time looking around the historic castle, but spent most of the day watching "Terrible Toby" and "Marauding Millie" learning to be pirates in the "Pirate Academy" A lovely day sat in the sun watching the children have fun, even if it wasn't quite as cultural as planned.

The next day didn't quite run to plan; we headed down to Penzance to see St Micheal's mount. We had a lovely lunch in the sun overlooking the bay but a tantrum meant we didn't make it across. We also had an unexpected trip to Truro A&E after Millie thought that the washing tablets (we thought had been well hidden) looked tasty. Fortunately the tablets turned out to be very mild and Millie was given a clean bill of health.

The next day was too hot so we retreated into the air-conditioned sanctuary of the Maritime Museum in Falmouth. The museum was really interesting and the Kids had a great time. Both really liked playing at Air/Sea Rescue in the Sea King IV. Toby was entranced with and exhibit about a man who was trapped upside down in his yacht whilst Millie would not be removed from a Jet Ski. It was still incredibly hot in the evening so we spent it sat on the beach at Swanpool. (still in just shorts at 1920!).

The next day we headed for Maenporth and even got to swim in the sea with Millie. Toby had a try at body boarding and I towed Millie on the board in her "zippy super suit".

One last tractor ride and the news that George's baby (Niamh) had been born finished our time at Pennance Mill. Time to head back towards Sheffield via the next campsite.  

False starts and meet ups

So it's the summer holidays and time to take advantage of working as a teacher. This year we were determined to get away early and make the most of the summer. Added to this George (Vanessa's sister) is due to give birth in the first week so we had the perfect excuse to head for Cornwall.

So it's the first day of the holidays (slightly early for me as I'm not working Friday) all packed up ready to leave everything in the van, kids transferred in pyjamas without a hitch. We were even leaving on time. Our plan to get away early to make the most of the holidays was gong swimmingly.

Well it was until the gear stick fell off.

We'd been thinking the gear change was a little sloppy, it was even a little difficult to get into second. However old VWs are famous for a porridge like gear change experience so we didn't give it much thought. That is until our plan started to go wrong.

So our holiday plan was looking a little less good with the van stuck in the middle of the road and the rain starting. About to call the RAC for the shortest recovery on record I thought I'd have a quick look to see if there was anything I could do. A quick browse through the Bentley manual and a poke about revealed that two bolts hold the whole thing together and they had worked loose. So after a swift tighten up Maisie was back on the road.

A little later than planed but on the way we discovered the joy of a gear change that works. Surprisingly (or not when you think about it) the newly tightened nuts make the gear change much more effective.

After a much less eventful journey we arrived at the camp site in Landrake (Dolbeare Park). We were due to be in one place but as there were already two VWs on site they moved us to make an impromptu VW show on site.

After a quick chat with the people next to us who had hired their van and helping them understand some of the joys (foibles) of driving an aircooled classic we headed for the park to meet up with George and Kev.

The kids had a great time playing with cousin Jamie and asking questions about the baby in Auntie George's tummy. This healthy outdoor fun was followed by the slightly less healthy activity of a meal out at pizza hut.

After a great night and making use of the very clean facilities we had a lovely breakfast with George and Kev whilst the Children played. After saying our goodbyes and promising to come back as soon as the new baby arrived we headed for the next campsite further into Cornwall.

Jubilee in the Forest of Dean

It's half term and the Jubilee (Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee) so we head down to the Forest of Dean to stay at the Camping In The Forest site at Christchurch.

The first night we arrived (and most of the rest of the week) was a little rainy. Whilst I put up the tent Vanessa and the children went exploring around the campsite. They didn't get far though as the children discovered a muddy hill near our pitch that had become a very entertaining mud slide in the rain. This resulted in some very wet and muddy children but lots of fun.

 

The next day we headed out to see some of the local attractions and ended up at the Puzzle wood. We'd arrive at lunchtime to big queues and steep prices so we headed back to Maisie; a quick rummage in the cupboards soon produced a delicious car park picnic.

 

 

As it was the Jubilee every where we went had royal themed kids event and the puzzle wood was no exception Toby had a great time running around the woods spotting the crowns and Millie Joined in nearly as enthusiastically even if she didn't really understand what it was all about.

 

Michael and Alison (in laws) join us that evening at the camp site and we have a decent enough gap in the weather (actually a bit if sun) to break out the Barbeque. As our pitch is next to the playground the children are having a great time running back and forth. Toby even finds some girls face painting and arrives with a union flag on his cheek. This becomes a source of much distress when he discovers that he must wash in the evening.

 

 

Fortunately they are there again in the morning so Toby ends up with a full face flag for our trip out to Clearwell caves. More crown hunting, this time underground and a compulsory trip to the teashop and then it is time for Michael and Alison to head home. We also head back towards the camp site but the children fall asleep on the way so we stop off at Symonds Yat car park and spend a delightful hir reading the paper / napping while the children sleep.

 

Once everyone is awake again we head up the path to see the view and a quick photo opportunity. The children are deeply unimpressed so put on their miserable faces.

 

 

We head back and stop off on the way at a restaurant / takeaway where we have an enjoyable time playing travel ludo and snakes and ladders whilst we wait for our meal.

 

We head home again in the morning in yet more rain. Even though we got very wet we had a great time.

 

 

 



 

 

Family car wash

Washing the van seemed like a good idea until the children decided they wanted to "help". Not sure if they got more soap and water onto Maisie or themselves, but they had a great time.