Today I shall be Mainly...

[Stanley]

I hope you're right Sue.....
The day goes forward here. It's very cold in that wind out there!

[Wendyf]

I have a bit of a problem....and that's an understatement. Back in July when Col had just been given his terminal diagnosis and my silver Panda started throwing up faults we bought another Panda to see me through while the other was off the road. It was a private purchase from a chap in Skipton who had bought it as a fun car for his 18 year old son. We got a full HPI check from the RAC which declared it to be issue free. Its a grand little car, but only 895cc and no where near as good to drive as the 1.3 silver one, so now it is time to sell the red one. I didn't want to sell it privately so I started getting valuations from the online buying sites and got an offer of £7600 from Motorway, which is a about the going rate for that model.
When I decided to go ahead I quickly discovered that the car had been sold at a salvage auction in 2024, noted as stolen/recovered with some damage due to vandalism. This is showing up on dealer's vehicle checks but not on the usual HPI checks.
No dealer will touch the car as it now has minimal value.
I'm at a loss ....

[Big Kev]

I have a bit of a problem....and that's an understatement. Back in July when Col had just been given his terminal diagnosis and my silver Panda started throwing up faults we bought another Panda to see me through while the other was off the road. It was a private purchase from a chap in Skipton who had bought it as a fun car for his 18 year old son. We got a full HPI check from the RAC which declared it to be issue free. Its a grand little car, but only 895cc and no where near as good to drive as the 1.3 silver one, so now it is time to sell the red one. I didn't want to sell it privately so I started getting valuations from the online buying sites and got an offer of £7600 from Motorway, which is a about the going rate for that model.
When I decided to go ahead I quickly discovered that the car had been sold at a salvage auction in 2024, noted as stolen/recovered with some damage due to vandalism. This is showing up on dealer's vehicle checks but not on the usual HPI checks.
No dealer will touch the car as it now has minimal value.
I'm at a loss ....

That's a pain, I surprised it's not showing up on the HPI check as a CAT N write off. Was the £7600 the 'online' valuation?

I had an 'online' quote from webuyanycar for my Kuga, once I got there it was two thirds of that original offer.

There are still options...

[Wendyf]

It wasn't a write off Kev, which appears to be the problem. Someone must have put it into the auction without notifying insurance or police, otherwise it would have flagged up on the hpi check. I have the photos from the auction and there is just a panel off on the steering column where it was hot wired. Possibly door or window damage but I can't see that.

[Big Kev]

Oh right, I wouldn't have thought a dealer would have walked away from it then. Did you have a chat with Andrew, at Noyna Garage, about potentially selling it for you?

[Wendyf]

We paid £8250 for it in July. No I haven't but I will after Xmas. I have also spoken to Dales Automotive in Kelbrook who told me that they wouldn't touch it. Think it's a case of 'computer says no'. No one is prepared to look beyond the red flag,

[Wendyf]

I spoke to Paul when they put the sump guard on it for me. He advised me to sell it online, they didn't like to get involved in selling.

[Big Kev]

I'll have a chat with my grandson, he works at MPH (was Bailey's) in Earby.
Can you send me a pic of it on Messenger?

[Wendyf]

Done Kev and thanks .

[Big Kev]

Done Kev and thanks .

[Stanley]

That sounds like a real pain Wendy. I hope you get a way out that isn't too painful!
I am aiming to be in the shed early doors and hope to avoid the slump in energy levels that hit me yesterday. Something to do with my present chaotic sleep pattern. I had a good sleep last night and so I live in hopes. After that all I can see that needs attention is cooking a cabbage to extend my veggies......

[Stanley]

This morning I have spent an hour carefully refining the crosshead stock, finding a 5/16" cutter for the slots and sharpening it and measuring and marking. Then some careful cuts leaving enough metal to allow for hand filing for a perfect fit. Another quiet accurate step forward. Now I deserve my breakfast.

[Sue]

Morning

Its a dark morning , a hint of rain forecast this morning and overnight then it is apparently dry for several days. We had a good evening with Jane, Bob cooked a moussaka, one of my favourite meals. We chatted for several hours, but all went to bed early. I slept for a long time but intermittently. However my headache seems to be easing as does my congestion, perhaps at last after 3 weeks I am getting over it. Jane will leave after breakfast, but then Claire Adam and Erin are coming for lunch before going to see one of Claires friends whom lives over in Littleborough

I have no other plans for the day, Bob is not at the park. If the weather is ok this afternoon we may have a short walk. Hope you can get your car sorted Wendy. What a problem. Have a good day all

[Stanley]

Morning Sue! Yes, it's dark here still. The light rain we had has stopped but there is no sign of proper daylight yet.

[Wendyf]

I have been preparing for visitors who should be arriving about 5ish today. The house is reasonably tidy, Xmas tree decorated and a cottage pie all prepared and ready to heat through in the oven for tea. Colin's sister and brother in law are stopping over for 2 nights on their way from home on Orkney to Dave's family in Worthing. I certainly wouldn't want to be making that journey, especially at this time of year. I haven't seen them for years as Col didn't really get on with his sister, so I'm quite looking forward to it. Wish me luck!

[Big Kev]

I'm sure you'll enjoy the company Wendy

[Stanley]

I hope your visit went well Wendy..... You're right about the Journey, I wouldn't like to do that even in good summer weather!
I am running early again but things are OK and I hope to be in the shed early doors this morning. I am looking forward to some hand work fitting my crosshead to its slide. Not sure about later but the odds are on frying my sweet potato chips! Yesterday I dealt with that lettuce that was sitting there grinning at me.

[Stanley]

Half an hour of hand work filing and shaping the crosshead until it was a snug fit in the crosshead slide. Then I marked to hole for the con rod pivot pin and drilled for it. I shall use a 2BA bolt and cut one down to size. Then I set up for cutting the slot in the crosshead to accept the small end of the Con road. That was enough for this morning, another small accurate step forward. Now for breakfast!

[Sue]

Morning

Another dark morning but the rain has stopped with no more forecast for 10 days. Yesterday turned out to be gloomy and drizzly most of the day. Our visitors came and went so by two it was just us and the gloom. I stripped Janes bed and retuned the room to its non visitor state which at this time of the year is a pre Christmas store. I washed the bedding, ironed it and put everything away.

In between we pottered on the jigsaw we are doing. Bob photographed some stuff to put on ebay and in the evening we watched the Strictly final. We had managed to avoid the result all day. Whilst watching and pausing as appropriate I made a meal of porkchops with apple cooked in cider, roast parsnip and dauphinoise potatoes. The latter I did in the air fryer and they were very successful. With all the pauses the programme filled most of the evening, which we then rounded off with a Salvage Hunters the Restorers and The Repair Shop. A nice relaxed evening. We both slept well and it seems my sinusitis has settled, headache and congestion both more or less gone.

We have no plans for the day, Bob has some parcels to post so I think a walk will be on the cards. Have a good day all

[Stanley]

Morning Sue, I'm so glad to hear your sinusitis and congestion have settled down before Xmas! I'm back up after a nice little sleep and a shower and after a decent interval I shall fry my sweet potato chips. All is as well as can be expected. We have lost our rain here as well though how long for I'm not prepared to guess. Have a good day and wind down for the holiday.

[Stanley]

The sweet potato chips won the day....

[Big Kev]

The sweet potato chips won the day....

[Sue]

A very pleasant walk this morning. Lovely views up on the moors and in the Dell

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[Stanley]

I envy you your ability to walk like that Sue. But no use going into a decline, I do the best I can with what I've got!
I am running early again but had a good sleep. I aim to be in the shed shortly to do useful thinks to my crosshead. After that I'm not sure, a short walk would be good but the forecast of heavy overcast does nothing for my enthusiasm!

[Stanley]

This morning I cut the slot for the small end of the con rod and rounded the end of the crosshead just because it looks nice. Another small but accurate move forward. I am ready for my breakfast.