A close shave!

On Sunday I finished putting my TR3 back together after taking out the radiator to have it re-soldered. I am ashamed to say that I started this job three months ago, but usually the weather in Scotland is too bad to use the TR at this time of year.
Yesterday as I drove home from work I noticed that the roads were dry and after all of the rain we've had recently the salt had been washed away.
When I got home I went straight into the garage and started up the TR (eventually). It wasn't too happy after sitting all that time. I decided to drive it to the next village to get some petrol, but three miles into the journey I spotted some orange flashing lights coming towards me - The Gritting Lorry! I tried to do a three-point turn in a farm track, but the engine stalled and it took some time to get it re-started. I just managed to get away in front of the gritting lorry, but then spotted another one coming down a side road. Luckily I managed to get home without getting the car covered in salt, and just as I drove into the garage a third gritting lorry drove past the house. It was like something out of a horror movie! Call me sad, but I hate the idea of getting the car covered in salt!
At least that is the first time in 16 years that I have driven the TR in February!

Judging from all the fun you had it would be my last!

Cheers, Tinkerman

Quite a mental picture that... funny too once it turned out okay.

Being from the desert I did have to ponder a bit before I puzzled out what a Gritting Lorry was all about.

OK, I give up. What is a gritting lorry? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/confused.gif Is that some kind of a salting truck??

Nick - Did you have your front valance on ? Or is it still sitting in the window in your garage ?

Don

The TR is all back together, valance, bumper, lights, etc all ligned up and plenty of Waxoyl.
Yes, a gritting lorry is a salt truck. They mix the salt with a little grit so that it chips the paint and lets the salt get a good hold on the metal!

That's like one of those nightmares where someone is coming after you and you can't get your legs to move.

And 3 of these gritter demons were after Nick !!! That must be a REAL nightmare.

Our 'Gritting Lorries'(salt trucks)YOU'VE NEVER seen the like over their! Ours are tripple axel double tonners with GIANT snow plows in front to combat 48"of snowfall.,they take out mailboxes,dogs,& low flying birds,You just don't want to get in THERE way.AND i would hate to see an LBC get in there way.THATS what we've had to contend with here in the last 3 weeks here in the midwest USA. Erin-go-brau to ye!mate
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif

I pictured this with the Benny Hill soundtrack playing in the background... /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

Glad to hear you survived you brush with the salt demons. At least you got a bit of a drive in, even if it was a bit of a panic run.

I think Ride of the Valkaries would be appropriate background music.

They also throw up lumps of "stuff" which can crack the windshield of your wife's Nissan when she drives by in yhe opposite direction!
Simon.

I am sure they are sponsored by the car manufacturers!

Hey Nick,
If I come over to the Scotland, could I rent a roadster through the rental car companies? I saw an new MG when I was in Italy recently.

Terry