Camel Disco - The pick up

OK, having done the dreaded E-bay thing. Spoke to the seller, who by the way was glad it was going to a “good home”. Phew! My reputation doesn’t quite infiltrate the whole of the West country. Anyway, arranged to pick it up at the weekend.

For reasons I can’t be bothered to go into at the moment, I had to arrange a driver and a lift for us both. Ian (Tomb raider - Camel wannabe) offered kindly to drive it back, and Guy offered us the lift.

We’d arranged to set off at 10am on Sunday, and by jove we did - a first for Mr S I think. It was raining, heavily. Large puddles everywhere, and as is his way, Guy in his shiny Rangey had to hit all of them.

Word had got out that we where heading to the West country and several offer of meet ups and tea were abound. However given the weather conditions we just wanted to get in, and get out, and besides, I think it was just a ploy for the Keynsham Camels to ambush us and prevent them loosing a local truck.

We arrived, shook hands, exchanged paperwork and keys, and left. It really was not a day for hanging around.

Guy lead, Ian and I followed in the Disco. 30 seconds in and Ian says “Go on then, I’ll take it”. This was a reference to the many conversations I’d had with him to try and loan him the vehicle. He could do with one, growing family and all, and I can’t drive one at the moment never mind two. He was happy as a pig in poo.

Now then, Ian I should tell you, drives likes he’s driving Miss Daisy - Guy doesn’t. Ian was all over the road, even if it meant the opposite side, to avoid the puddles by the kerb side. Guy was straight through them, and yes, it did look spectacular from behind.

It was at a juction, about thirty minutes into the journey, when Guy just didn’t pull away in his inevitable style at the change of lights. Ian honked the horn, G crawled away. Soon after the Rangey was pulling into a lay by. P stop probably? Nope, he stayed in the car. We went to investigate. “I have no gears - it’s running in emergency mode.”, oops!

After much humming and arrring, it was decided that I and Miss Daisy would continue the journey home in the Disco, while Guy and the Rangey would opt for a Flatbed Taxi.

2 weeks later:
The Rangey has a new gearbox, Ian is in love with the disco and has put his Tomb raider on the market - he is however dreaming of a Camel 110 to replace it. And we’re all looking forward to the show season.