GRIZZ’s ‘79 - 2WD BLAZER Challenge over in London, England. “~It’s not a Project~”

[Grizz1963]

Road trip continues unabated.

Anastasia.






Angie.













And much more......

[Grizz1963]

Message from Kansas.


Hello Rian. I won't be around on Saturday but I will be here in Friday. The International truck has sold but I do still have the Willys, 35 Ford tanker, 42 Cadillac hearse, 48 Fleetmaster sedan, two old Chevrolet 3800 trucks, the 54 Chevrolet milk truck, a rough 49 Plymouth 2 door sedan and a rough 58 Ford 2 door sedan. I also have a 38 Chevrolet half ton pickup project stored in another town if you'd be interested in it. If you feel that the cars are worth your time to come and look at Friday that would be fine with me.

My address is 1467 Jerkins Rd. Kristina Kansas 66077. My number is 785-220-4432 My old neighbor has a couple of old cars that have been in his barn since the 70s that might interest you. A 1950 Ford 2 door sedan and a hot rod 1931 Chevrolet he built as a teenager in the late 1950s.




Looks like we are headed for Kansas.

[Grizz1963]

Toto !!!

Toto !!!


I guess we are in Kansas now.

[Grizz1963]

You wanted pics......

Blazer progress toward a movie role.


Day 1








More as it comes in.


.

[Grizz1963]

Real time (almost) update.

05.00

Jonesboro Arkansas

Met up with Purple Heart Steve at his home and shop yesterday when we got into town.

Shop tour then off to find a motel for the night.

Invited him to join us for a steak (NO DRINKS AS ITS A DRY COUNTY) but at Coltons you can order alcohol if you show ID and join their club.

I had a rum and coke, Steve opted for a tall glass of Chardonay.

After dinner we headed back to the motel, only to be confronted by this.......



My first ever DONK !!!!!!!!


And it was a Hemi.


Super nice owner and his girl.


Loved the car for just how crazy it is in real life.















Selfie time as dinner did not produce one.







Certainly a highlight for us.


Would I drive one, own one??


Hell no.


But lovely people all the same.


Thank goodness for brave people pushing envelopes.



Off too breakfast at 08.00 then George Poteets place near Memphis at 09.00


Later.

[Grizz1963]

Real time bookmark.


Headed out of Jonesboro Arkansas this morning near 11.00 heading back to St Louis, well, 40 miles beyond St Louis back to Dennis’ place, I took this pic.

It’s his BIRTHDAY tomorrow, and we certainly wanted to be here, so it would be a long slow drag through, with stops where and whenever we wanted.

I was driving as Craig got hit late last night by a Migraine that had not shifted, and still has not shifted.

Front of the Dually was a field of dead bugs.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by wreck diver

Happy birthday Dennis :beerjug:

Thank you from him.





Another quick “real time” update.

I am behind, but between Dennis’ birthday, Mexican restaurants, Margaritas and mayhem, my time and energy for updates are limited.

It’s Thursday and our last day out, tomorrow we head to the airport at 10.00am and then fly out home.


I DO LOVE AMERICA... !!!!


My favourite shop is Rural King, browsing comes with a bag of free fresh popcorn





The car park is always interesting







Clothing



I love the advertising in their public toilets.








And speaking of rough riders......


Off to Hannibal and then via Ethyls to see if Kelly is in.......


She is rather addictive.

[Grizz1963]

Sitting at St Louis Airport

Headed to Washington DC then off to Heathrow.


Craig and I managed to get to Ethyls last night before heading out to meet up with Dennis for some more sight seeing .





Later.

[Grizz1963]

Back home


Got in yesterday morning

Sally very pleased to see me, sweet woman had done my laundry, made me a fresh bed and got me milk and bread, all unprompted, she also made us kebabs and salads for dinner, quite a shock, all the healthy food.

Slept 90 minutes on couch middle of the day.

Then 9.30 to 07.00 and again 08.30 to 11.00

Harley has not left my side of bed since I got home

Now trying to do some catch up loading of pics and writing.

But head like a zombie.

[Grizz1963]

End of the road trip coming up,fast.

We headed to O’Fallon via two more Walmart’s, trying to find some more of the Chevy truck models for Craig.

No luck there.....


However, he saw a model that I can only reveal in Or toward end November, which I promptly scooped and bought to bring home.

Racing against time a bit, to get to Dennis’ workshop, we made it there at 4.27pm for our 4.30 shop tour and departure to the trade show..

That’s a mailbox.



Craig laid instant clam to this little guy, who knows what the future holds there.




Now those that read stuff, rather than just looking at pics.......

Take close notice.

Not much notice here.



But once inside through that little hole in the wall.......

Cheap beers, and good company abounds.



Great company.

Friends.




And.....
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DrummRollllllll.......

Meet Mo !!




Serves the coldest beer you could want to find.



And snacks.







And if, like me, you are special enough.......

She will serve you your own little plate of snacks.

What a girl.

Loved her Cardinals




After a few beers, Dennis bought everyone a round, tipped Mo and we left in his truck.


Headed to the lodge he is a member of, and where Adam and Hanna are getting married.

We were in early.



Free bar.



Once again, the food was excellent and I had to force myself not to go fetch more.

Once the raffles were drawn, we headed back to Dennis’ shop to collect the challenger, Imwas driving while Craig operated Waze and found two more Walmart’s.

We also saw this grain truck, soooooo tempting and in great condition





Craig as you know is negotiating a COE in Oklahoma, and saw this model, of course it had to go home.




Got home after 8.30pm and created piles in the spare room, we were being taken to the airport at 10.00 am by Debbie.



Eventually bed time, late in the night with some good byes to Adam, Hanna, Tyler,


What a blast this trip had been.

Next stop St Louis Airport I guess.

[Grizz1963]

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Don’t forget to Support this worthy cause.











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[Grizz1963]

Third MOT that I am taking this little van that can to on Saturday


A few new stickers and a wash.


Will that be all we need.


Looks like it may still be a few miles short of 90k miles by the time we get back.







.

[Grizz1963]

Recently replaced a gate at Sally’s place.

Kept the old one, then last week she painted all her fence panels, blue, as they have been for years.

So I thought a welcome sign was in order.

Robbed a plank.



Prepped and base painted.



Progress.



Halfway there.



OK, really done.




Happy girl??


Yes of course, she was surprised, which is a good thing

[Grizz1963]

Well......

How suddenly can things go tits up?

Pic at 11.30am on Friday, at work, responding to Sally asking me on WhatsApp what I was up to.

Told her I had just been blown out again by a department that could not help me set up a meeting, but that I was headed to plan C next and all is fine in my world, hence the selfie.



So I headed to another department and had some mild success, then headed out there, being 4th floor, took the lift, as it opened, I felt like my shirt was a bit tight and a little dizzy.
Anyway, went to another department where I needed a customer to help me sort something, asked him to just randomly check my blood pressure, I was not feeling bad, just a bit of a headache, that had persisted from Thursday, through the night.

He did it, and his words were “Best you go to A&E right now and book yourself in” when he saw the reading, I tried to get him to do me the favour I needed, and he just said, get this sorted, work can wait..
of course I am 30 miles from home at midday on a Friday, not ideal, so said I would drive home to my local hospital that’s only 10 miles away. He suggested calling security to stop me leaving..... as something could go wrong while I was driving.


What he saw.




What happened over the next six hours.....

I have to say, and have said it before..... people should complain less about the NHS.

One of the senior registrars that I previously trained and see in the department when I pass through there, recognised me and asked whether I was training today, so I said, No, I was sent here by another department.
He immediately took me on as his patient and with his junior, I certainly had the best treatment and care anyone could want.
Remember, I happen to know their job too, and was I am assessor, they would pass.
I can also say that because my eyes are open, I saw them and the rest of the team, manage patients equally well as I was being treated.

The NHS is so short staffed, and yet, this department just continues to function really well.

So observations, done about 10 times while I was there, interestingly, they do BP bilaterally, and in my case the arms read differently, my left arm consistently lower than the right.

Bloods, urine, ECG, an incredibly thorough history by two doctors and the triage nurse.
Also a 3 minute (really 5 minutes) neurological checklist and examination.
Thorough !!!



This little guy stayed in right up to discharge, so they would have instant access to my veins should things go a bit weird and they needed to jump on me.



Highly impressive ECG machine, and also identified a problem which will be followed up after a visit to my local GP next week.



Four hours later, this was how I felt, tired.



They also started me on some blood pressure lowering meds that they made me take in department and wait 45 minutes to see if it worked and if I did not react to it badly.

Then discharged with a script for 5 tablets.......

Made me smile, £9.00 for 5 tablets..... ouch.

But 6 hours of care, investigation and tests etc = £000.00 charge.

Discharged, a 20 minute wait for pills, and then an hours drive home.



Got it at 7.00pm

Relaxed as much as one can.

Rubbish night and took my pill this morning, that’s a new one for me.

Some things that need to change, sent by a good friend.....

My life is over.




So the future seems to have a lot more of this (walking and exercise ), and other changes in store for me.

[Grizz1963]

So.......

While some of us are working.

Mate Craig is in London for al all day Board meeting and sent this.



Others have been told to rest, destress, don’t think of work, distract ourselves, get some exercise, stop drinking, eat less salt, chocolate, drink less coffee and try to get the meds to work in the mean time.

Casualty of Friday, a missed, pierced vein, least of my concerns.



I have been doing all of this......

Well, kinda some.

Stopped all alcohol last week, no coffee since Saturday, less salt, not using any, walking 2 miles or 3+ km a day, no chocolate (almost) taking meds, head still sore. Cannot ignore work calls and mails, my head would explode in a different way, trying to distract myself getting the caravan to clean out and gut, pressure clean, then paint white.

So, the price of a caravan, and add £10.00 for a beer and fight for Mickey next door who towed and fetched it for me.

Pork pies and a lump of cheese.



So this morning Mickey and I went to fetch it.

Sweet old man, knowing that I am not 100% he hooked and loaded it, would not let me do any labour.

Pumped the knackered tyres on site.



Home



Back home, Steve the night shift electrician neighbour on the other side and Mickey pushed it through, amazing how these guys look out for me, we all,do, but it’s weird being on the receiving side.

Inside.

Well beyond terrible.

Will be torn out in its entirety

It has a small gas fridge, condition unknown, which will be available for prompt collection, if anyone wants it.





Bad panorama, but you get the picture.

Pressure cleaner and paint.....

Then purpose.




Waiting

But I have other light duty tasks first.

[Grizz1963]

After the delivery Mickey and I had a cuppa and a chat.

Kinda relaxing and therapeutic



Asked by my buddy Stas in Siberia what the caravan was worth, I said nothing based on condition but Google said its still more than the pork pies and a lump of cheese I gave for it.



So the rest of the day I did some very light carrying and moving,

Clearing rubbish into Prozac the van that can.



Its part of my therapy and trying to get back to stuff I enjoyed before

Big hospital day tomorrow with an appointment at the Rapid Access Cardiac clinic.

[Grizz1963]

Right.......


Caravan conundrum plays out thus.


Cardiac event last week, a timely warning, reminder that you get one chance really.

Saturday morning, Sally asks me if she can help me with rebuilding the Red Truck, she has been pushing me since day one, despite all the distractions I created or experienced

So I say yes, that would be awesome but winter is here, my garage is filled with stiff..... gotta love her: “Well, let’s clear some space, then you can weld and prime all the smaller bits over winter.

No. But. Yes. But. No. But..... I start........ In winter the garage temperature is between 3-7’C so too cold to spend time down there, and certainly not warm or dry enough to paint.

Then I get the clever idea of posting up on my local area FB group that I am looking for a FREE or CHEAP two/three berth caravan.
Remember, there is one already parked up, stripped back and painted magnolia a few years ago, filled with truck parts and scooter panels.
Less than 10 minutes after posting up my request, there is an offer.......
You have seen the pics by now.
It is mucky, messy, pretty dead, but it’s free, well, the price is two pork pies and a lump of cheese.
BARGAIN

SO THE IDEA IS TO GUT THE CARAVAN, PRESSURE CLEAN INSIDE, PAINT IN WHITE EMULSION, FIT LIGHTS, EXTRACTION SYSTEM AND USE AS A WELDING, GRINDING, PAINTING BOOTH THROUGH WINTER FOR SMALLER PARTS FROM THE ‘66 C10

It will be parked outside the garage, in front of the main door, which can still be opened.

If I could find a small roller shutter door to fit to the rear where the window is smashed out with the help of Mr Sawzall, in order to get bigger stuff in than what the regular door will let in, that would be cool too. I did look for a piece of checker plate ally at the scrapyard today, none to be found.

I can heat the caravan within 15 minutes with an oil heater, then work as long as I need possibly with the heater on low. My woodwork shed is like that.

Sally can keep me company, learn to weld, grind, paint, make tea, sandwiches and pick up,any limbs I may hack off, on the way to hospital, but most importantly having her there will be great.


Caravan purpose now cleared up. I guess.


.................................................................................................... ......................................................


So at the same time as this thing kicked off:

Free From another forum..... as my hoist did not have one.

Engine balancer bar.

Will be great for refitting the motor in the C10, kinda like a sign.






Will be recovered it from Cambridge in exchange for a welder and possibly the fridge from the small caravan once gutted, from mate “Sparkplug’s” place.

Of course, this blood pressure thing and it’s associated issues means that stuff even now just does not happen as fast as anticipated, or as I want it to. I find that I do less, slower than before.

But as Ta2Don always said “Progress is Progress”

So clearing a load of clutter, scrap metal from the drive and garage has to happen first.

One bike trailer sold to CraigRK, some Chevy alloys passed on to a friend, whose steel wheels are on the C10, other items to be sold or skipped etc.

Current driveway and garage Status.



Harley is chuffed the garage is open again. Straight in she went to inspect





This was my welding table.



Yup, truck still waiting in here.



Some may know that I have had a new lodger since August.
He happens to be a builder, and lecturer at college.

So the plan is to employ him while all this is going on, to break down the most of this wall which got broken by a fir tree that I planted too close to it. Tree will be drilled and poisoned to stop further damage, but ivy or some creeper encouraged to cover it.

The curved Wall will get moved back from existing space by 600mm and a tighter curve created, while I am going to put up an 8 plus foot galvanised post in advance of a carport that will go up some time.




So there you have it.

Caravan conundrum clarified.

Chevy C10 back on track too, Sally said so.

There is another couple of changes, events, things happening in the background but they will be exposed as they happen.


Bedtime now me thinks

[Grizz1963]

So what to do if you wake up by 04.00

Well, read, and get out to shops early, food and two pairs of boots for,Sally, with her walking with me now, her old walking boots chose to self destruct and she needed some going out boots.
Now here is the point..... Sally dislikes shopping, so she researches online, we walked into two shops, and within 10 minutes were done.
Then food shopping and home.

My kinda shopping.

Had to top up,her cars oil, check vitals and then we started on the caravan

Cleaning up before you,destroy.



Sally actually did all the heavy hyping as I am supposed to be on light duty.



Giving Stuart my neighbour a call to come fetch the fridge he had asked for, for his MX carrier van.

Sally always has a camera at hand.



Yup, big guy.



Interior shifted.



Cooker and sink is available for anyone who can use it.

Prompt collection expected.



After much clearing and cleaning.......

Ready for paint.



Yes, lots of space.

I kept a few shelves up on the walls for storage.



31p and a gold chain.

Along with a few other random items, like a litre of power steering fluid.



Done for the day.



Paint, position, tables next.

Chuffed.

[Grizz1963]

So this morning Harley was unusually quiet, just sitting in the kitchen, Imwas headed to the council tip with Prozac and a load of caravan insides that Sally packed yesterday.

Then found this little guy, sitting in the kitchen, picked him up and took him to the garden and released him.



Headed out.



Found this at the tip, guy said if he turned his head away, he could not see me taking it to my car.



When I got home at 9.30 mate Kevin’s VW pulled up as I got out of Prozac.

He stayed for three hours, also helping me move the caravan to where it needed to be.

In front of the garage.









After he left, all I ended up doing was masking up the holes in the interior and getting some plastic over the missing rear window.




Tonight Sally sent me this after she went home.

Nice evening outside.

[Grizz1963]

Update from Dennis in St Louis.

Gas station progress all in finishing touches.



Fitted a fly screen door.



And added an awesome Pepsi pusher.




And a moon pic from Sally last night.




Of course, being told to stay home and rest, ie watch telly, sleep etc this week, feels so wrong and weird.

My manager and contract manager were both very adamant that I do not even do online training this week.

Hospital visit on Friday culminated in more meds added, rest recommended and also put forward for Echocardiogram and following that, an Angiogram and whatever follows, based on findings.

Weird thing is that though I feel really tired, and out of breath with a headache, I do not feel sick, like when you have a cold.

So plan of action for the week will be minimal anything.....l

Will do my best.

[Grizz1963]

Postman rang at the door today.

Parcel for you, please sign here.

Opened the box...... sender: Ernie “PedalcarJoe

Thank you very much.



Aftershave bottle in case you could not figure it out.

[Grizz1963]

Bloody hell, being sick, sucks big time.

Rest they said, it will be go for you they said.

How much recorded Nat Geo and History Channel can you stand.

Was chatting with Stas in Siberia and Andy in Tulsa through the day, thank goodness for time,differences

Eventually after 2.30 I needed to go for a bit of a walk as my head was hurting.

Fetched these out, high density foam tiles.



Floors needed help.



So I helped, in fact, I believe that despite it all going real slow, I was relaxing a bit.

This was a comment made by mate Paul, a wise man.

FWIW I think your doctor has failed to understand what you (and I) view as rest and relaxation. You are quite relaxed, stripping out the caravan, happy to be recycling 'stuff' and a tip trip is decidedly therapeutic; whereas laying on your arse watching reruns of Friends would only serve to make you anxious and depressed. Rest is not a 'one size fits all' solution but getting that across to the caring profession can be challenging. Crack on




10mm high density foam floor, felt great to walk on.

Almost no physical effort, but made my head and heart smile.






Next up, hardboard sheets over the foam.





Done.



Tables assembled, this one may get tossed out, it feels wrong.



Job done, table no 2, may end up being the not one used for welding on.



Have to say, this has turned out much better than expected.

Ready for bed now, let’s hope I get to sleep.

Later.

[Grizz1963]

Had to go get some food as I had not left home in a while.

Went via an electrics wholesaler and got a sealed LED unit.

£36.00 my biggest spend so far.



Around 4pm I was again needing to just get out the house.

Free paint, thanks Sally.

Makes a difference.



Honestly regretted starting, 10 minutes into the job.



An hour later, done. Just needs to reflect maximum light.




All because mate Kevin had a discarded, once used welding curtain of 4x8 in a dark plastic to help make it slightly safer. Maybe.







Getting the curtain over the weekend.


.

[Grizz1963]

Had mate Fil “Sparkplug” from UKGSER.com over this afternoon for a lovely extended visit from Cambridge, also to drop off the engine hoist support bar he picked up in Abingdon for me last week.
Its bigger than expected and not what I thought it was. Need to figure that out.
I thought it was the right size to fit my engine hoist/cherry picker to get the V8 and transmission back into the truck safely and horizontally later when the time comes
Mate Martin said to me recently that this bar is for Front Wheel Drive motors. I have no idea.
Maybe can still make it work for the V8.



Harley took to him instantly.





After tea, chats etc, garage tour and rummage, I had to get onto a 4pm training online, Skype, and we got the bits I managed to force on him, into his campervan that he is building and see him off.



What a great way to spend time.

I had started to watch the Breaking Bad box set this morning as a way to keep me indoors, unfocused and “busy” but its a lot nicer having a likeminded guy about.

Back to the telly next.

At least till ”Nurse Sally” gets here.

[Grizz1963]

Engine spreader bar traded.

Balancer bar will work for getting 350/350 back into C10