GRIZZ’s English 2001 S10 Extra Cab 4.3 V6 Truck

[Grizz1963]

Ordered some new plates for the truck, new number.

Wanted “Show plates”

Soooo P!$$€d

My request.

Note to seller
Hi there As previously discussed by email. Can I order these “Show Plates” with the following number on it and in the following format.
1. Using a legal Motorcycle font
2. Pushing the digits together to form one unit or “word”.
3 Placed on the top line or centre of the plate if possible
4. Black border around if that is part of your price.
Plate to read GRZ733
Please contact me if any issue with making this plate.
Thank you very much Rian.

I suspect the reply will be that they only do legal and that I should have read their conditions.


To all the twitchers, jobsworths, officers and the rest..... Thank you.




Later another knock on the front door and my favourite courier handed me a shoe box sized parcel, not expecting anything.

Custims declaration, and then reading the detail.... origin Ireland.

Sender @quackrack1 or Alan as we know him, had sent a parcel to me, most of the contents aimed and for @craigrk who is a serious Coca Cola collector.

I do love this community.








And for me.........

Rezin Rockit lookalike and a bottle of home made jam. PERFECT.





After the wrong license plate issue, I decided to order a set of American style “Show Plates” from a UK based company, rather than going the usual States Plates route in France. Brexit may see their prices rise even more.

The special offer on a pair of plates saw me paying £30.00 for the plates.

I ordered from their Facebook page, known as Europl8 but website as per pic below is www.pressedplate.com

Amazing real time communication, establishing my needs and offering the make changes if needed.

Owners car outside his new industrial unit.



Once that was done, a quick coffee and then down to the garage, I have felt the withdrawal recently.

So I carried items one at a time, piled upright and ready to use.

Mate Kevin had dropped a bunch wood recently, to use as firewood or in some build.

Sally asked me to build a small, raised sandpit for her 2.5 year old grandson, Harry to play in with his diggers and motorbikes (he is motorbike mad, and I keep looking for a cheap 50cc quad or offroad type bike for him as he will outgrow it so fast)



Sally came just as I was about to assemble the basic frame, so I gave her the power drill to screw the screws in, as my back was getting to grumble, and the screws were all halfway in.

She squealed and then just got on with it, with me just guiding her and and adding some weight to the powered drill screwdriver

Floor will go in today when the rain stops, and I will make a removable lid, I contemplated a hinged cover, but removable lid makes more sense.



Slow day, slow weekend, bootfair tomorrow.


.

[Grizz1963]

.

DVLA (DMV in the USA) has never disappointed or even peeed me off.

Yesterday that changed.

When I bought the private plate for the truck, the system stated to wait till the V750 paper copy came , and to then change it online, fit new number plates and inform insurance, toll gates etc.

So Friday I changed the number at the insurance company, and proceeded to try do it online....... nope.....this was the system response.



It seems there could be a specific meaning to the letter B in the box, as it asks for that specifically



So in the end after two tries, I went onto the online chat.

Ultimately, the not so chatty operative on the other side of the screen told me I should not have informed the insurance before completing the online changes.

Ohhh, but it declined me, then he replied that I need to do the processing via Royal Mail and send in the completed V5c and V750

So I ask you, What the Actual F@&£ ?


I am amazed, so they send you a document and then you need to send it back.

This efficient system so far, since buying the plate on 24 April, will now take another 2 to 4 weeks to process before I can actually use it.

I am both amazed and really pi$$£d all at the same time.

In my opinion the DVLA has certainly dropped the ball on this one.



After all that, Sally and I went to the garage to carry on with the raised sand pit for Harry.

Not too big, nd raised so that grown ups can join in, but as it will be on the patio, the lid will serve as a cover to keep local cats out and as a table top to use it when she is out there in the sun.


Frame for lid.





Floor in ally plate.












Bootfair today was hard work, my back really was not happy, and halfway through I walked back to the car with the stuff I had bought and actually sat in the car for about 7 minutes to wait for the sciatica or whatever, to release and then did the rest of the field.

Photo lies, it was really busy.



Short video below for the Americans.

CLICK LINK.

https://youtu.be/FZq85ycbm6I

I only made two purchases.

A bag full of used and new pan]t and papering brushes for £5.00

I know what some peoples first and second responses are..

The used large ones are actually cleaned very well and I checked them all.

Secondly, for me to pack away tools and work, close shop, and drive between 5 and 16 kilometres (3 to 10 miles) in my car, for even one brush, would actually cost me more than the £5.00 paid for the lot, and once I have used the brush, it would look the same after I washed and cleaned it.

And then 4 rolls of Ducktape for £7.00 the seller actually gave me £4.00 in change back but the honest guy in me (he is a real idiot) told the seller and gave a £1.00 back.

Again, cheap enough and my last roll is almost finished.





Next up, I am off to the garage to use one of my new brushes to paint the first coat on the sandpit/table.

Weather looks OK today.

[Grizz1963]

After the bootfair I carried on with the small sandpit.

Painting the inside gloss enamel black to just help protect the wood really.
Once Harry outgrows it, Sally can turn it into a herb garden or something.



Some lively green on the inside and underside of the lid.



And some spare beige on the reat outside.




Last year my £20.00 bootfair bargain table saw eventually burned out in a spectacular puff of smelly electrical smoke.

Since then I kept an eye open for another close or up to 30 miles away.

Most were tired and missing parts, like the fence.

As time went by, I realised it is just luck to find a cheap, good one.

So at this point my budget had moved up to £100.00 which is still well below retail for a midrange, semi-professional machine.

Yesterday this came up.





So agreed to buy it at the advertised price of £100.00 after asking if a cheeky offer would be considdered.

Drove over in the truck.

And spent an hour with the seller.

Incredibly nice guy.

Owns an older Ford Thunderbird with big block motor and straight pipes and a pair of Cherry Bombs, and loves American cars.

Told me a very sad story that is a warning to us all.

He lost his 42 year old son in March.

Short story: car up on scissor jack, he crawled in underneath to fix something. Jack collapsed and he died of a traumatic brain injury.

So he is winding down his construction business

Moral of the story. BE SAFE OUT THERE ALL.

Saw is immaculate. .



Came home, unloaded saw with help.

Tyre tread looking funky with name on tread.





Did more stuff later.

[Palf70Step]

Nice to see you got the plates. Hopefully the gov will get there act together soon for ya.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice to see you got the plates. Hopefully the gov will get there act together soon for ya.

Indeed Bill.

2-4 weeks.

We hope.




As some of you know, I collect and trade license plates.

Some of your plates are on display or awaiting mounting.

Every now and then though an offer to trade some of my more valued (even gifted of collected from your scrap pile) plates.

This week these were offfered for a slightly tougher trade.

I certainly wanted Michigan plates.

And I wanted specialist plates.

So I needed to rummage through my collection of motorbike plates.

To find some old and new. From the UK and South Africa.

I really wish I had a modern UK plate as well for the collector, Mr Pink.

His offer.



I kinda put these together knowing they came from friends and scavenging but I would say its a very fair and balanced trade.



In the mean time.

These guys await collection.





Soon.

[Just call me Sean]

I have a few plates I collect as I come across them. A few of my old ones too one slightly visible.

[Palf70Step]

Just 3 old plates in my collect. One from the Mustang II Mach 1 I had and brought back from Japan, 1 from my 70's original antique tag, and jsut an old regular MS tag off my ole 96 GMC. I got too much other stuff all over the walls for more plates.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Just 3 old plates in my collect. One from the Mustang II Mach 1 I had and brought back from Japan, 1 from my 70's original antique tag, and jsut an old regular MS tag off my ole 96 GMC. I got too much other stuff all over the walls for more plates.

Not a bad attitude.


I have too much stuff.

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

I have a few plates I collect as I come across them. A few of my old ones too one slightly visible.

Some of your plates are super cool.

[Grizz1963]

Right.

It seems that there are quiet people, and then really quiet people.

Imagine registering in 2011 on a forum, and doing a total of 20 posts in 10 years, including a couple of owners threads. Thats a quiet person,

Then there are others, much more recently registered, and higher post counts, and looking back at histories of chat, clearly some clashes. ‘Nuff said.

So imagine my surprise after posting up that I had bought the two little Mini Motos 250 miles away and was looking for alternatives to getting them back to Kent when a message came through from someone asking about them. I replied to him by PM and gave my number, asking to be contacted...... still not heard from him. Not impressed.

Then the next day, a message from a very Quiet guy @pegasus stating that he could possibly help, and if it was of value, to contact him by mobile, signed with his real name.

So I contacted him, half an hours chat and a plan agreed.

Introduced him to the seller and let them arrange the collection, rather than getting in the way.

Plan was that Matt collected from Phil, then keep the bikes in his van, till he and I can meet up

He works the corridor that includes Leeds up North and runs down to Leicester and Birmingham

I will take a day leave and drive the 165 miles or 260km up to meet Matt, possibly for a coffee and the bikes, then head back down South.

So after the collection yesterday, Phil the seller sent me a pic, just a teaser.



Happy me.

This morning, chatting by text with Matt I took a quick pic of the truck.




Later he reciprocated with a welcome deluge of low down pics.

And a name for the one bike, as always, these things happen randomly.









Kiss my what ?



Named as Easy Rider.







So there you have a it.


I am looking forward to seeing Harrys little face when he gets his bike.


.

[Grizz1963]

When I used to work a larger area up to Oxford, Cambridge an across to Essex and down to Southampton and Bournemouth, I constantly moved stuff around for people.
Hitting the Buy it Now button on EBay was easy as I knew I would be there again within a week.

So when I got contacted by @pegasus it was almost like Dejavu speaking to myself years ago.

Talking to him it became apparent that he certainly is a car and bike guy.

Having built himself a wicked Nissan Skyline and various other cars over the years.

He lives near Leyland in Lancashire, definetly don’t state Blackpool like what I did initially. But what do I know ehhh?

Current bikes include the following.
98 Honda VTR
98 XV1600 Custom Chopper
02 Ducati 900SS

@pegasus Matt is currently on the lookout for a good 1968 to 1972 VW Beetle and @disasterbus and @jabbo could have a lead.


Looking forward to meeting a like minded guy in the next two weeks.

[Grizz1963]

Opened this bottle of home made jam last night.

You know it is good when you feel compelled to scoop another spoon full before replacing the lid

Thank you mate, this was a perfect gift.

[Grizz1963]

So with my back beating me up, but improving for sure, I continue to have to modulate what I do.

Currently the plan is to move the driveway over by 18” or 450mm in the centre so I can reverse cars or large trucks down there.

So I have cut the hedge back hard as well as the shrubs. Down the drive, so that the drive van be moved.

Hurt my head.



While hacking away, and having two lodgers now, one with a Vito van, and one with an electric bike, no....not Dirty James, that needs to come through between the cars and to the lockup at the rear, I relised that my front hedge was 12” or 300mm too wide.







On Saturday I ended up cutting three times as much as planned, and my back told me about it.



Then on Tuesday morning I was out there by 06.15 to carry on cutting the next part of the hedge.

I cut it back hard down by the garage as well, gaining some space.



Then down the side of the garage.





I think all of this, though gardening in effect, means that I can get on with real jobs, including garage work as they chores are put aside for a while.

I also noticed two Starlings up in the small window in the garage loft the day before No idea how they got in there.

So once cleaned up, I went up there to see if they were catchable.......

I found one dead, and the other one just sitting there on the windowsill.



So I took them both out, released one, which flew straight back to the nest under the eaves.

Lastly, a couple of sunsets.





Of course I was sore, but hotwater bottle, icepack and pills.....

Sorted.

[Grizz1963]

After who knows how long.....


And it has been close to 8 weeks, the DVLA has changed the S10 plate from the Y-Reg it had, to the number I bought some time ago.


I will fit the new plates and surround from Gary in America later today, if I get time.


VERY INTERESTING TO NOTE THE SPACING OF THE LETTERS AND NUMBERS.


I WOULD SAY THEY ARE TOGETHER.





Yes, I am pleased it has been done.

Why so long though?/

FK.

[Grizz1963]

So, how do you get this tired ?


Ask Sally.

She has two sons, 21 and 28 years old. Both were very busy growing up.



Meet Harry.

He does have a sleep as part of his mothers control programme.

And if you have spent a few hours kicking ball, driving diggers and who knows what else.....

You sleep.

Seems he loved the new sand pit, needs a lot more sand though.





Then after his sleep, Sally who was baby sitting, fed him and sprung the surprise on him.

She had Cream Puff covered under a sheet, with a cardboard box to change the shape, all day.

So when Harry had had his lunch, she showed him the bike in the dining room.

He was super excited and helped her, carrying the paddock stand out for her.

This gave the two of them some time to have Granny and Harry time, something thats really precious to her.







At some point, his Mum and Dad came back and were shocked that he and Sally were playing in the back yard, with him using it like his balance bike.

She took great pleasure in telling them the whole story of how it had made its way from beyond Leeds to down South via Birmingham through the kindness of strangers like @pegasus and Oblertone’s part in the Essex detour. As she said to me later, she just wants this next generation to be less self obsessed and more kind and generous, so sharing stories may just help.

They took Cream Puff home with them, and Luke, Sally’s eldest had it fuelled up and running 10 minutes after getting home.

Video for your pleasure.

https://youtu.be/C25p0TqYdFg


I had been out in the truck today and came home after a nice drive, parked on the drive as Sally had taken her Corsa through for a wash and polish.

Looking at the truck, I just smiled.



While polishing her car, she suddenly went mad.......

An injured pigeon had come into the yard.......

So I had to rescue it.




That concluded our day, a long, busy one.

Life is good I seem to recall mentioning before.

Bootfair in the morning.

Fingers crossed.

[Palf70Step]

I love that! Like Dennis, I'll be glad when he is out hitting it hard.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I love that! Like Dennis, I'll be glad when he is out hitting it hard.

Absolutely






Guess what next.



.

[Palf70Step]

It makes me super tired looking at all your shrubbery Rian. I thought all my azaleas and things were way too much, but yours! I went thru a serious cutback on my stuff few years ago. The azaleas are almost unkillable. I cut them back to nubs and now they are at a more manageable height and easier to keep in shape every year. Too bad the weeds won't stay out of the flower beds, then my life would be much easier to keep on the trucks and cars.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

It makes me super tired looking at all your shrubbery Rian. I thought all my azaleas and things were way too much, but yours! I went thru a serious cutback on my stuff few years ago. The azaleas are almost unkillable. I cut them back to nubs and now they are at a more manageable height and easier to keep in shape every year. Too bad the weeds won't stay out of the flower beds, then my life would be much easier to keep on the trucks and cars.

I love my garden but it can be a pain.


Right.....


Left....


Road trip.


Randomness.



So a restless night, followed by getting up by 04.40, shower, shave etc then out the door by 05.40


Absolute pleasure of a drive up to the destination and meeting point.


I pulled over just before getting there for a walk and break.




Then drove on, to our meeting destination.

I thought it was cool as a meet up for the bikes


Thanks Matt @pegasus for thinking of that, and coming to meet me and deliver the bikes.




Including natural security





I sneaked up the one way passage to use the toilet.

And found this, never seen a willy washer in a public









More in a moment, if I stay awake

Been a long week

[Palf70Step]

Museum looks really cool! I could roam around there quite a while.

[Just call me Sean]

Even the motorcycles are backwards there.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Museum looks really cool! I could roam around there quite a while.

You could.

Originally Posted by Just call me Sean

Even the motorcycles are backwards there.

Nooooooo

[Grizz1963]

So when Matt @pegasus got there we started with the traditional exchange of gifts.

Matt got very little, I got some used number plates to trade or add to my collection, and also an item I was recently contemplating buying off Marketplace.......

Clarke Parts washer.



Then we unpacked the mini bikes



Followed by a “BIT OF A PHOTO SHOOT.”







After this, they went into the car, and we went indoors at the museum, used their facilities followed by a 90 minute chat, walking around the gift shop, drinking very good, and certainly affordable coffees.

These were my first shop bought coffees since March last year, and the price was good at under £3.00 for a large Latte

Looking at key rings, cups, gifts etc, the pricing surprised me, really sensibly priced.

I do love robots, and found this one.... no, did not buy it.





And then a few random pics.

Some beauties here.






Incredible detail and beauty.





On leaving I saw this plate that made me grin, bike ridden by a pretty gnarly old guy.




Saying our good byes, we headed North and South.

The road back was a touch slower than coming, but loads of interesting things popped up.

I also stopped in Brentwood to pick up a bunch of stuff


More in a bit for those who are still here.

[Grizz1963]

So, the return trip.

Uneventful, but a few nice things caught on cameras.

1947/48 Healey.

This car has a significant heritage. Look it up.







Husband and wife team.

Spoke to David for a while.

What a nice guy.



Look at how small it is though, in a regular UK service station carpark.



Based on the fact that I have the Rezin Rockit on standby, Matt @pegasus sent me this one.



Then off the M25 and into Essex lanes, pulling over for this view, so nice.



Another view while parked up when picking up the stuff Paul “Oblertone” had left with his daughter, she loaded the car as the drive left me bent over and stiff as a spring.



More stuff, including some heavy duty ratchet straps, large trolley wheels and some ramps in the back.

And to top it all off..... a a dentists lamp, heavy as a heavy thing, still not unloaded at this point, it may be a job for today though.





Unpacking.



Very pleased with this ornament.



And then later I delivered to Sally, in exchange for cajun chicken wraps for dinner.



My back was not happy at all, miles, carrying random stuff, hedges, bags of sand etc.

But a good week.

Today..... who knows.

[Palf70Step]

The mini bikes of my youth were no where near as cool looking as those ones Rian. Love the old Healey's. I do not think I have ever seen that exact model though. I think the oldest one I have seen was from the mid 50s. Very Nice!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

The mini bikes of my youth were no were as cool looking as those ones Rian. Love the old Healey's. I do not think I have ever seen that exact model though. I think the oldest one I have seen was from the mid 50s. Very Nice!

They are way out of my league too Bill.

I grew up on dualsport, and off road bikes.

In this case, $70.00 for a new, unused bike made sense.

Old cars any day.





Few random pics.

Mate Dave loves a big one, over in Essex.

So he shared this on Thursday



Also checked on the DVLA website and at last, after many weeks, my personal plate had been processed onto the truck.

I had ordered the American style pressed steel plates with the numbers to the right, leaving space for a small Stars n Stripes badge to the side.



Mate Gary in Florida had sent me a plate surround, after I had drilled the holes to replicate the holes in the trucks original plates, and also some small screw embellishers.

So the rear plate has a hole, partially visible.... plan to be made.

The surround also tucks below the level of the step



Having had the dayoff on Thursday to fetch the mini moto bikes, I decided to have a drink with my good friend Vladimir in Russia.



We have previously gotten quite drunk together via WhatsApp and Google Translate.....

Never try keep up with a Russian, or for that matter a Siberian.

Today, Mickey also went over to Sally’s place and cleaned her gutters.

The man is certainly fearless, and while prancing around on her roof, Sally was having kittens on the ground.





More about today in a while for those still awake.

Awake ?