Sector 3 - Fort Walton Beach, FL to Montgomery, AL
By Tim Buja | July 4, 2009
More from John as of 8:23am on 7/3/2009:
Hi, Everyone
This is “uncle jack” and the Crazy Brit updating you from Montgomery, Alabama!
Bah gum, it were ‘ot as we loaded the car yesterday (Thurs) morning! Left our relatives with much regret but duty calls. Programmed the GPS for the destination and everything went swimmingly until it took leave of its senses and took us off the main highway and on to a road that was narrower than the average British lane!
Sorted that out - and continued. The further inland we traveled, the cooler it became (relatively speaking) and we crossed the state line into Alabama around midday. Drove through the most attractive forest on US133 for Andalusia, Brantley and Livurne - eventually meeting the ‘Reception Committee’ from Montgomery at a gas station just south of the town.
Actually, we got there first!!!!!!!!!I
And thanks for coming out everyone, I’d never have found the hotel without a pilot.
“uncle jack” seems happy so far, though I’m reluctant to say too much about him in case he throws in a reliability wild-card.
Had a really great evening with the British Motor Club of Montgomery and eventually collapsed into bed at about 11.00pm. We’re being escorted today onwards to Atlanta for the Independence Day celebrations and just to keep things in perspective and to ensure ‘the natives’ don’t get too excited, “uncle jack” is proudly flying a British Union flag from his radio aerial!!!
Watch this space for the next update.
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We’re movin’ on today
By Tim Buja | July 2, 2009
More from John Macartney as of 8:29am CDT today:
After four days of “acclimatin’”, John and Edward Macartney are heading north for Montgomery, Alabama. “uncle jack” has had a rest, the choke cables have been tightened up, two quarts of Valvoline are in the boot - and with a bit of luck, we plan to arrive in Montgomery both sunburned and probably dehydrated too!
I’ll try to get a report out to y’all tonight.
Cheers, john
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Sector Two - Tallahassee to Fort Walton Beach Florida
By Tim Buja | June 29, 2009
More from John Macartney:
Rejoined the Hambricks at the hotel the next morning and travelled two or three miles to the ‘Silver Bullet’ eatery for breakfast where we met four other Templars of Triumph. The meal itself set us up for the day and on leaving the Bullet, we made tracks to Obin’s home and his superb workshop. “uncle jack” went up on the two-post lift and we were soon able to bleed the front brake circuit. Car had been pulling to the right under braking and I suspected we’d either got air in the system or one of the calipers was lazy. There was a trace of air and this was soon extracted and “uncle jack” now has both shoelaces properly tied :-).
The Templars undertook to caravan with us for the first 25 odd miles of Interstate 10 - but re-fuelling was necessary. ‘uncle jack” had continued with his misfire - but it had got worse during yesterday and I thought an upgrade of fuel quality would be a good start before we started looking elsewhere. Accordingly, a tankful of 93 octane was applied and it was soon evident this was more acceptable. “uncle jack” - like his illustrious forebear - obviously preferred a Single Malt!! We waved goodbye to the Templars as they left the caravan and continued westward in steadily increasing heat, top down and with liberal dollops of Factor 50 - plus several bottles of iced water that quickly became quite hot!
Finally we arrived at my cousin’s home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida where we’re staying until Thursday - when we head north-east for our first event of this marathon drive to Montgomery, Alabama.
But just to round off, I’m trying to learn a bit about ‘talking Southern.’
To illustrate, last evening “uncle jack” met an elderly gent at his home who restores Camaros - and the praises were loud and long in support of the work done by the guys at ISOA. It came time to return to Clay’s home and “uncle jack” just wouldn’t start. My fault for immediately forgetting the instructions I’d been given for starting a hot engine! After several fruitless whirrs of the starter, a voice was heard to say, “Ah’d give up on that idy, boy! Sclear th’ dawg jis ain’t gonna hunt!”
More soon when we get underway again later in the week.
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Sector One - Daytona Beach to Tallahassee Florida
By Tim Buja | June 29, 2009
John’s having a bit of trouble with his laptop, so he’s asked me to help out with the general news of the trip until he’s back online. Photos will be added soon.
Text by John Macartney
It was great to see so many enthusiasts gathering at Grassroots Magazine at Holly Hill on Saturday to send us on our way. Many thanks to Editor Tim Suddard and Director Dave Wallens for setting up such a great reception. The donuts were delicious and the coffee even better!
It was a bright sunny morning with every promise of a warm, dry day - but I forgot that Florida can spring sudden surprises. Within minutes of the START getting underway, the heavens opened! Never mind, “uncle jack” had his top erected and the wipers performed well. Accompanied by Tom Fansher in his Stag and Jere and Bonita Dotten in their TR3A, we set off for Ocala for a lunch stop where we were joined by Glenn Merrell who had diverted his course to obtain a lug wrench and a replacement radio aerial.
Had a re-fuelling stop near Ocala and took on 12 gallons. For a while, everything continued without concern apart from the occasional mis-firing which I put down to possible fuel vapourisation; it was incredibly hot under that bonnet!
Ocala came into view and we parked in the town square, patronising a most agreeable restaurant where I was able to sample my first Shrimp Creole - and it entirely met all my expectations!
From here onwards, we would be on our own. Said goodbye to Tom, Bonita, Jere and Glenn to continue north along US27 for Tallahassee. A delightful road, passing through beautiful country and eventually arrived in Tallahassee for a VERY agreeably priced room at the Holiday Inn. With the Receptionist seemingly rather overcome from talking to her first Englishman (she kept asking the same questions to hear my reply, she said) we showered and adjourned to the restaurant for food!
Shortly afterwards, were joined by Obin and Marilyn Hambrick with their daughter Terri of Temple of Triumph and spent a very pleasant hour in their company.
“uncle jack” needed a few more shakedown adjustments and it was arranged we’d all meet up the following morning for breakfast.
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