Just back from the Isle of Sky, driving thousands of miles.

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PopRivet

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Hi everyone. Have I got a tale-to-tell?

I’m just back from a drive between Southern Spain ( where I live with my wife, Freelander 1 Td4, 2006 ) and the Isle of Skye, Scotland. I went via a DFDS Ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle, so basically drove through six countries to get to my favourite Isle.

My Freelander performed brilliantly. The EGR replacement, Crankcase oil filter mod, refurbished Injectors (done by myself), fuel filter replaced, High-pressure fuel pump overhauled ( by myself) and a few more touches, made my car run like a dream. Fuel consumption? On motorways, etc, averaging @ 115Km/hr… 39.7 miles to the gallon. Brill! Returning was lower as my car was loaded with stuff.

There was one fault though, and it happened just as I was crossing the border into Holland on the way to catch the ferry. The car lost power, unable to accelerate or go faster than 80Km/hr. Uphill? It suffered badly. I was stuck in the nearside lane, wondering if it might be a serious problem.

However, I was not only carrying a really good tool kit, which included a spare Injector, but also an iCarsoft Scanner i930. I connected it and discovered the High Pressure Fuel Line sensor had a fault. It was a case of disconnecting it, cleaning it (using WD40), reconnecting it and life was great. No more problems.

I drove that car over hill & dale, mountains and motorways, single-track roads and farm-tracks. The wheel arches were covered in sticky sheep droppings, cattle manure and mud. And my Freelander just kept going. And going.

So, only one mishap, and easily sorted – because I carried my own diagnostics.

I’m now about to move house, always staying in Spain. The car will be loaded with this-and-that, weighing a whole lot more than normal, and the only thing I’ve need to do since returning from Scotland is an engine-oil-change and a few good washes. One more thing… I soaked my car with warm paraffin prior to driving to the UK, and when I wash my car the muck just falls away ever so easily, leaving a water repelling surface without any damage or blemishes.

I’m proud of my car and pleased to say it has returned my devotion in a way I cannot complain.

And as my Freelander is a three door model, my wife and I enjoyed a cool drive with the sunroofs, side windows, quarter-light windows and read door window open as suited us. The other road users had all windows closed and no doubt air-con switched ON.

We had a super holiday and love our car. It loves us in return too, I’m sure.

IMG_20180518_151901.jpg My wife, Freelander and a 3 litre carton of Chardonnay, outside our Croft. On Skye.

So, do the Mod’s with regular oil changes. Oh, I brought back Rear-Diff shocks, and about to work on the Lower Engine Tie Bar when I get the chance. I intend to replace all the engine mounts with polyurethane. I replaced the rear diff forward bush with a standard rubber mount and it’s suffered already.

Sorry about the novel, but it’s all written to inform.

Good running.
 
I've just managed to find some photo's from my travels. The main
IMG_20180519_123547.jpg
one I am attaching has Glen Coe in the background.
What a fantastic trip we had.
Oh, so Skye fossils as well as U-Boat Pens at La Rochelle, France.
We visited Dunkirk, the Normandy Beaches & La Rochelle Pens as too.
A great journey, carried by our even greater car.
Oh, I have a BSc in Geology from the OU. Hence my liking for the Isle.
I have visited this island for over 25 years and see no need to stop.
I highly recommend visiting it, to everyone.
We are already planning our next visit.
We can't wait.
 

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It was Htr. I've not been to Sky for many years. It's a lovely place to visit, although I couldn't live there.
I like to visit, as I have done for oh so many years, but couldn't live there either, because...
a. it's cold
b. it's wet
c. the dreaded midgets bite
d. winters are far too long
e. the cost of living is too expensive
 
I like to visit, as I have done for oh so many years, but couldn't live there either, because

. it's cold
Definitely.
b. it's wet
Probably comparable to where I live now.

c. the dreaded midgets bite
I'd rather midges to horse fly bites, like the one I got yesterday. :(
1530034720813752478696965711261.jpg


d. winters are far too long
Yes, far to long.

e. the cost of living is too expensive
Probably slightly more than my current living costs.

It's a nice place to visit, but I already live in the best place in the UK, although I'm slightly biased.
 
I'll be visiting the UK in a couple of weeks. York and north to Ulswater then into Scotland and the west as that region is where my family hails from long ago. I've an uncle buried at Iona so I will tour Mull and visit Iona too. Would have loved to visit Skye as another uncle had a croft there years ago.
 
I quite fancy a trek in my FL to Skye but have always been put off by the dreaded midges.
Anyone have any tips on how to keep them away? :D
I seem to have the sort of blood that they prefer as I am always getting attacked by the buggers.
 
Definitely.
Probably comparable to where I live now.

I'd rather midges to horse fly bites, like the one I got yesterday. :(View attachment 152053


Yes, far to long.


Probably slightly more than my current living costs.

It's a nice place to visit, but I already live in the best place in the UK, although I'm slightly biased.
OUCH!!!!! That looks bad.
 
Just one more photo. It's Eilean Donan Castle, as portrayed in many a movie.
It's shown in the background of this photo. There were so many tourists it was the closest I could get for a photo-shoot.


DSCF0470.JPG


If anyone might be interested in reading my first novel, 'An Alien Affair', which has been turned into an Ebook - featuring the castle in the photo, plus lots more, please feel free to contact me with an email address to receive a FREE downloaded copy. Only Freelander though, so mum's the word. Respect!
 
Hi, everyone. I've just moved house and all it entails. Phew!
If anyone would like a free copy of my first novel, an Ebook, let me have an email address to send it to, plus the information of which Ebook Reader it is intended for, such as, Nook, iPod, Kindle, etc.
Send me your details to, [email protected]
I only wish to allow Freelander owners the chance to read a free book. Like it or not, it's free - so it cannot be seen to be at a loss.

I'm now unpacking all my goods and will give my Td4 the service it has earned.
Enjoy your own FL1.
I do.
 
I quite fancy a trek in my FL to Skye but have always been put off by the dreaded midges.
Anyone have any tips on how to keep them away? :D
I seem to have the sort of blood that they prefer as I am always getting attacked by the buggers.
Do as I do and drink lots of alcohol. It seems to work. Or that's my excuse anyways! lol
My wife, on the other hand, doesn't drink very much and gets bitten rotten.
Good luck.
 
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