POPPY MAKES A BRAKE FOR FREEDOM. FATBLOKE AND POPPY PT 64.

Poppy makes a brake for freedom. Fatbloke and Poppy Pt 64.

13/5/2021

Written by Mike Peake.

Wow! It’s been a long winter. Nothing to write about since November last year. Sorry, but I’m about to rectify that.

With the winter months behind us and Covid restrictions easing, the time was fast approaching that we could leave our bunkers. Our good group had plans of touring and derring-do, so it was time to undertake Poppy’s pre-season check-up. The check-up revealed the need for some new front brake pads. (Hence the title. It wasn’t a spelling error. Clever eh?) As I’ve never had to replace the pads in my 20 years of ownership, I didn’t begrudge spending the required £20 on parts.

Anyway, parts were ordered. Parts arrived. Parts were fitted. All without any major bumbling incompetence. Well apart from realising I hadn’t taken any photos for the blog during the process. So I took the wheel back off just to take this photo for you.

After washing the winter grime off her remarkably red bodywork and adding a bit of wax, Poppy was ready for the season and our 1st group event, the Jurassic Coast Tour of Dorset - which I couldn’t go to as I’d promised Mrs FB that I would be painting the newly-plastered walls and ceilings in our lounge, dining room and kitchen. However, as the route the chaps were taking down on the Friday was taking them to within 20 minutes of my home, I decided to meet up with them at the Kemble Airfield.

Whilst I was waiting for them and taking pictures of Poppy, bumbling incompetence struck; I stumbled on the rough verge and fell flat on my face. The young chap sharing the layby and also taking pictures of the scrap aircraft came running over all concerned and started helping me back up again. I know! What a complete B&$^&*d!! You know what this means don’t you? I’m officially “OLD” otherwise he would have just laughed like any red blooded male does when another young chap makes a fool of himself!

Anyway, here’s the photo I was taking.

It was really great to see everyone after so long.

The Saturday dawned bright and sunny. Mrs FB and daughter number one headed off at 7.30 to save lives by stabbing hundreds of people in the arm and I was left staring at the walls and ceilings I was supposed to paint. It was really sunny though, and all my mates were a mere 80 miles away and about to have fun. I decided that the new plaster wasn’t fully dry enough for painting as it was only a month or so since it had been done. I opened the roof on Poppy and headed down to Dorset.

I won’t go into details as the tour has already been covered in Gar Cole’s excellent blog here. Just to say that I had a wonderful time with great friends and remarkably great weather. I even got to drive the Brook’s Stag which was awesome. I do love the sound of that V8.

My severely sunburned head was the only instance of bumbling incompetence too. There weren’t even any breakdowns for Super Enthusiast Man to deal with. So thanks everyone for a great day out and I’m only sorry I couldn’t stay for the evening’s drinking.

The old adage that “it is often better to seek forgiveness than ask permission” held true and Mrs FB was very forgiving as only a quick visit to A&E was required with no overnight stays. Worth it though. Great day out. Thanks to Gar for organising the trip and Gar’s Brother Neale for the superb dinner that I did stay for.