Where the heck have I been

[Bonzo]

I can't believe that it has been soooooooooo long since I have been active on the forum

So what have I been up to all of this time ?

Long story short ( ish )

My long term health issues took a turn for the worse, Cue a little bit self misery, depression & generally withdrawn into my own little world.

The NHS has done a great job of patching me up. I owe them a huge debt of thanks for their care.
Although there is no cure for me, thanks to all of the wonders of modern treatment, I can at least function once more.

During the last 12 months ( ish ) I have been able to function a little better & can potter about once more.
Very much looking forward to completing some of my unfinished projects.

Hope to make a restart on the Roadster & Formula 27 projects this coming spring.
Would be wonderful to see at least one of them on the road.

Sadly my Boats will have to go, simply don't have the energy to drag them about.
Big bonus is, it will free up some funds for my other projects.

Spent a fair bit of time on this since last summer.



My Brother bought her to convert into a houseboat.

For those that are interested.
She was built in 1965 in Singapore for the Royal Navy & spent most of her life as a dive support vessel.
Powered by 2 x 210hp Turbo charged Gardner engines ( Maranised london bus engines )
4x Lister engines running generators & pumps

Oh what fun we had when we had her towed form North Devon to her new home port in Falmouth
For those old codgers like me, the old TV advert springs to mind.

" Never known a night like it & I aint looking forward to the journey home, either "

I am now Chief second rate egineer & tea boy.
If it can be done while sitting on a stool ( Eventually ), then I am your man.

Not letting the grass grow under my feet, I have learned some new skills.

Bought a sewing machine & learned to do the upholstery on my own boat.

Managed to make some diagnostic equipment to diagnose & repair an outboard engine.
A local outboard shop had given up on that engine.
It gave me great satisfaction to get it running like new again.

That's about it folks.

Looking forward to getting back to my builds.
Roll on Spring.

Ronnie

[martin62]

Welcome back Ronnie glad to see you after your sabbatical keep healthy bud

[voucht]

Good to see you back here, Ronnie!

Old members remember your contribution to this community, and latest members can see that your name appears on a lot of old threads.

And the roadster-builders forum had been created at your initiative, if I remember correctly.

Mental health is important too, and I'm sure going back to your builds will put you back on the rails body and mind!

Keep us posted

[Bonzo]

Thank you Martin & Sylvain .

Other than lacking strength & stamina, I feel very well in myself once more.
My head is in a much better place & very much looking forward to the future.

Going to clear out my workshop over the winter ( Get the boat out of it )

Hope to be all ready in the spring to pick up where I left off with my Roadster & F27 Builds.



Here is where I was at with the Roadster build.

Not long before I am agonizing over engine choice once more.
1.8 Zetec, 2.1 Pinto or Vauxhall Red-top

[tkpm]

Its nice to see you back on here Ronnie, it seems like a lot of years have past since I first met you at the kit car show at Westpoint.
I have to admit Falmouth is a lovely place, I been going there once a month for the last three and a half years, but sadly that will end next month.

Terry

[garyt]

Welcome back, life can be cruel inmany ways and it is good to hear you are making good headway. All the best for the future and the dessert film of your builds
Take care

[Bonzo]

What a small world Terry

Bideford was the home port of the boat in the picture.

That photograph was taken in the estuary, just up river from Instow cricket club.

Beautiful location, very much enjoyed my time there whilst preparing the boat for her tow down to Falmouth.

[Bonzo]

Thank you Gary.

I have started to compile a shopping list for my build.

[TSM Locost]

Welcome back Ronnie, good to know you are on the mend after your rebuild so stay positive and you will get there.

[Bonzo]

Cheers Mike.

Certainly looking forward to pottering about with my build once more.

Had a New tig welder Christmas before last.
Still unused but got a feeling that is soon going into action, well if I can wrap my head around the digital control settings.