and then we were off - Elmer heads South

Sat at South Queensferry with a load of old friends, and new, Elmer attracted a lot of attention from the other 'Romers not just becuase of the colour scheme but because of the 'camper' concept. Normally we make camp each evening and break it in the morning before heading off and I would be avoiding that.

What had I done to the inside apart from cleaning? Not much, just removed the passenger side middle (swivel) seat and load my stuff. My suitcase was on one half of the back seat with the other half folded up to give me a full length space for my camp mat and sleeping bag. The very back had my camping larder/kitchen with my essential tool kit and spares box under/behind the driver's seat.

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How did Elmer do?
With dead rear springs and slack torsion bars I leaned and wobbled in an exciting way but the only problem was the starter motor solenoid jamming open when very hot. I got very good at removing the intercooler to give it a little tap but at Tesco in Dover it needed more. A distress purchase of a breaker bar and a size 1.25 hitting stick (hammer to thee and me) made the job much easier and I got into the habit of stopping at the side of each fuel station to switch off the engine so if it didn't start I wasn't jamming the place up while I gave the starter a love tap. This worked well all the way to Rome and all the way back until the starter failed for the last time 2 days after getting home.

How did I get on in 38deg heat without aircon? It was warm, sticky at night, but with the windows open and the sunroof as a vent it was pretty good. Fantastic viewing platform and a steady foot at the throttle meant I made decent progress and unsurprisingly I fell for the Delica's charm. I got lots of waves and smiles and, frankly, that's what the decor is all about.

Millau Bridge

proof I was there as well

Delica reserved parking area

breakfast delivered to the door at Monaco

At the top of the Col di Torini

and on the way down

At the top of the Col di Lombardi with the cyclist I rescued

At Rome. 9 days, 2200 miles, no actual breakdowns

On the way home, rather than taking the planned week or so, I drove 600 miles the first day from Rome to almost Dijon where I stopped at a motorway rest stop for a few hours. Up sharp and on to Dunkirk for the 2pm ferry to Dover.

At Dover I decided to spend the night at the same campsite I'd stayed at the week before (£11 well spent) where Elmer got his name from the hundreds of kids camping there. Next day I left at 4am to get past London before rush hour (the M25 is really busy at 5.30am) and home in Glasgow for late afternoon.

Now I'd proved it worked, I had to improve and repair. But did I clean it?