It's another of those "free" dates at Swindon with no meeting to prepare for and more blue sky than anyone could imagine. In short, it's not far off the perfect day at Blunsdon.
With the Robins on the road at Eastbourne Punch and decided that we would meet up to get on with some of the items on the infamous "Ta do, Ron, Ron" list. When I drove through the gate at a little after 8.30am the weather was well nigh perfect - lots of blue sky, sunshine and a fresh, cool breeze wafting off the barren steppes (time to calm down, take a pill and cut the "purple prose" methinks!)
Ron and Punch were enjoying an early morning cuppa in Number 96 when I arrived. Most of the conversation revolved around the extraordinary events that had unfolded at Coventry on the Monday night in front of the Sky cameras. Apparently, the use of tactical rides by both teams was a first for Sky and a first as far as anyone of us could remember. All we could hope for was a better return from the meeting against the Eagles.
Punch continues to make improvements to the small water cart that we will use during meetings. His latest development is to improve the stand with the use of some angle iron, his "grinder" and drill.
The cart is beginning to take shape, the pump controlled from the driving seat of the tractor via a length of nylon rope and a series of pulleys. He is in his element, bless him!
Roy and Mark join us. Roy has volunteered to turn up on a Wednesday afternoon each week to cut the grass on the centre green, thus saving us 3 hours on a Thursday race day. Unfortunately, when he turned up earlier in the week the mower refused to move so a call out has been made. Sods' Law strikes when the engineer starts the mower up and it appears to function perfectly. Roy sets off on his grass cutting sojourn, kicking up clouds of dust and dry grass clippings as he passes back and forth across the centre green.
Back behind the pits, Ron has decided that Jemima must undergo a major overhaul. The enormous water tank that we used to have on the back is never filled more than half full and, being mounted off centre, is making the little three wheeler more lopsided than ever. We also now have the industrial sized diesel powered pressure washer ready for use but no space to mount it. Time to "Pimp My Ride!" as they say on MTV.
Our first task is to drain the water from the old tank and remove it. This done, we now dismantle the old spraying mechanism that originally came with Jemima to get at the much smaller water tank.
There are all manner of pipes coming into and out of the spray tank. The three on the top will do for filling and for connecting to the diesel washer. The ones on the side are surplus to our requirement but Ron comes up with a brilliant idea that if we simply connect up pipes from one hole to the next the whole contraption will look "Hi tech" and be more "impressive". I remain unconvinced - he doesn't have to drive it!!
The drainage system at the bottom of the tank is both a blessing and a problem. It will allow us to empty the tank in the winter and prevent frost damage but it does mean that we will have to lift the tank up to accommodate the tap and hose. Mark and Punch come up with a solution; mount the tank on an upturned and modified (cut half) pallet and then wedge it into place with expertly cut wedges, shaped by Ron and a saw.
The diesel washer, which boasts both an input and output hose, is lifted by three of us into place. The monster will have to be secured properly before we start it up but the whole effect is must more aesthetically pleasing as well as being infinitely more stable - if only it had brakes. Why, whenever I mention Jemima, does my wife seek out and start reading my life insurance policy?
Out on the track the sun beats down on the parched shale and the centre green looks good enough to adorn Lords Cricket Ground or Wimbledon.
The fact is that we have completed work on two essential pieces of equipment and now stand ready for the challenge of a Kenneth Bjerre inspired Peterborough next week.
Oh, and Rune? Well a tapes exclusion in his first outing in Coperhagen didn't help his chances but in those races he did complete, he certainly looked competitive and entertaining.
