craigowl

I first saw tennis at Wimbledon on b&w tv in the early 1960s. Then came the Connors, McEnroe, Borg, etc. Never dreamt a Scot could be anywhere near that sort of excellence. Andy Murray is stupendous - he looks like an ordinary Scots geezer - no film star looks, etc. We can relate to him so easily, and he produces huge power from his unremarkable looking physique. This is a boy who was hiding under a desk in an adjacent room when more than a score of his schoolmates in Dunblane were being slaughtered by gunfire. The horror that visited a gentile small Scottish town about 30 miles from here was a nightmare come true. Those things don't happen in the UK, never mind Scotland. He raises a salute to the sky when he is victorious and he is doing it for those children as well as himself, his family and his nation. A legend in our time - and Scot or Brit, he is ours.

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If the brake shields fit the normal 1995 VR6 discs I will take them, please. Iain

If you vetoed every great artist who had had naughty thoughts or had done something you did not approve of, you would end up with not a lot of entertainment and pleasure in your life. I've seen them 3 times. First was in 1975 at Celtic Park, Glasgow. I think it was a "football stadium" tour - and they were at Charlton, too. First appearance of lasers - reaching into the night skies to "Won't get fooled again", etc. - unforgettable. We did not know we were to lose Alex Harvey so soon, so it was great to know we had seen him in performance, too.

Yep that's right.

Saw part of a documentary this week and thought the same as you, Wendy! Miaoww!

Hi Lewis, I am in Linlithgow, too. Hope you get your temp problem sorted. I overhauled cooling system a few years ago and managed to get a water pump with metal blades impeller. VAG suggest you get water pump changed in Golfs last few years every 60k miles (?) because of plastic blades breaking. My temp runs at just below 70C until I get into traffic, then it goes up and fans work fine. I had a new generic rad fitted by Tarduff motors a few weeks ago. Temps read out same as they were for past 10 years with original radiator. Hope to see you around! Iain

My water temp sits at just below 70C most of the time until you go into town traffic. Fans come on and go off fine when required. In discussions on here before, seems it can be normal for several/many?

Opel Manta 1.6 I bought new in 1972 had a substantial metal cover below most of the engine and with a few inspection holes. Quite heavy and kept on with bolts. The new Cavalier I bought in 1978 with same engine (and built by Opel in Belgium) had, guess what? B***** all. Poxhaull knew how to be cheapskates and make you shift brands quickly.

For peace of mind. None of this really vital at the moment, as just passed MOT in May. Radiator was original at 18 years old. Total cost £396, including parts, labour VAT. Our favourite local garage - I thought that was very reasonable. (Don't say cheaper if I did it myself! - will be 68 this month and delighted to pay to have it done for me! It's the crawlin' and bendin', y'know!)

My original failed without warning in our High Street after 16 years. Never had any hot or cold starting problems due to it.

Thanks, Jim. I recall that name now you mention it.

Thanks guys. Yes - always do a search first, Jim, but didn't find anything much with my search words. Yes, original equipment seems great in a lot of cases, my exhaust lasted for about 16 years. Don't want the rad to fail in our busy High Street - just like the fuel pump did. dr_mat, I follow your sensible view here, but I am 68 and don't welcome challenges like that now! Local garage quotes £110 plus VAT, excluding labour, so I will go with them on Wednesday. They are fussy and reliable and will see me OK if there are any problems.

Original is still on my car after 18 years. Not a drop of coolant lost, no problems. However, I believe in replacing before it fails at inconvenient time and place. I see they range, new, from £110 to about £210 on ebay. (Dearest is by Nissen - I had one of theirs for the Pug 205GLD.) Anybody got any advice on choices - good or bad? Regards and thanks Iain

Is Speroni still at Palace? He was our keeper years ago (Dundee FC). He was popular, 'cos he was good. I am sure I saw him in a Palace game recently - he must have been there a while.

Storm - Classic green - cream interior VR6 for £3250 (negotiable) near Edinburgh/Glasgow. Description: See photos in "craigowl's" gallery. Ask any questions and I will furnish you with fuller details and specific photographs taken today. Car is MOTd till May 2014 Taxed till March 2014. 108k Two mature owners from new. I am 67 - I bought car in 2002. Car is not for shows with its present untouched, complexion. It is an honest car of 18 years old with good history and everything working. Seen through all MOTs , any replacement components done as required without hesitation, often for better quality parts. I am a fan of durability and function over bling, but I am not obsessive and 18 year old cars do tend to get rust on robust suspension and steering components underneath, and cream leather and carpet is for fussy people who like cleaning! Ready to drive away, and with money thrown at it, could be a show-winner. Car is in Central Scotland adjacent to motorways, Edinburgh-Glasgow railway and airport. Had about 8 people interested over the last few years (most at the higher original price), but only 2 have come to look at car, one of them was set on mystic blue, and the other was a dealer from London - nuff said. Best regards Iain

me too.

Earphones - I always think people on bikes using them must have no brain. When on a bike, or even crossing the street, these things are depriving you of one of your most important senses for survival in your environment. Some deluded fanatics with machetes may even be after your head, now! What ****s!

Some party, that will be, Wullie! Ouch - ma heid! ---------- Post added at 12:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:45 PM ---------- My pals and I cycled for years - mostly to get to school, over to friends, leisure, etc. The times I did it recently, I hated it. I fear for cyclists when I see them. The best era is long gone.

On that link, too, the death of Ray Manzarak of the Doors - vital guy and group to me/my generation/pals/family - was interesting, too. If you haven't heard them, (surely you must have?) try, Riders on the Storm and LA Woman. Top tracks of the age.

One set - Yes please

You'll be OK, kev. Livin' is spending time doing what you like. I'm never happier than when I am geeking and tweaking (though not cars nowadays.)

Well, clearly you don't spend all your time metamorphosing into a porker, Kev! (We knew that anyway.) Good stuff (thumb).

Wesleyvr6 said - "....haldex service is every 40,000." ha!ha!ha! - what with the new tyres and that, our lad hit the jackpot mileage! I'll wind him up about poor research! He and partner have opted for a custard yellow £995 Suzuki Ignis for in Edinburgh. That cost less than the S3 service - possibly on a different learning curve now!

http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/www_lidl_uk/hs.xsl/our-offers-2491.htm?id=44&ar=11. Sealant/chemicals etc often made by German companies. Forget our diy superstores - huge ripoff.