Having found that Milly was severely restricted in top speed I thought we had a major engine problem. It turned out that it was something to do with banjo bolts. These, as I have since found out, are remarkably things in a diesel fuel pump. So under telephone instructions from Steve G I removed these 'banjo' bolts to find one had a hole and the other didn't. I swapped them over so the fuel going in to the pump had a bolt with hole and was therefore unrestricted. All reconnected and off for a test drive I suddenly felt the power that Lewis Hamilton must have felt when he first stepped into an F1 machine. Awesome! Problem solved. Acceleration noticeable.
We could now turn our attention to the interior and roof. We built a full scale model in cardboard of the kitchen and rear seats and it looked pretty good. We couldn't find a roof that was cheap enough so discussed the possibility of making our own. A visit to Chris Humphrey's boat yard proved useful but daunting. The amount of work involved could be considerable. After much more research Lucy found a place in Worcester were they sold high tops and pop tops. We were convinced we wanted a high top and they had one one we could see fitted to a van so we decided a visit was essential. The place in question was some two hours drive away and it would give Milly a good run. Steve G thought it would be good for her to have a run as well so off we went. She certainly likes motorways. I managed to get her up to 88 mph, er, sorry 70 mph max UK speed limit! We were very happy.
We had a good chat with Jonny at Dirty Weekender's and saw first hand both types of roof. We began to change our minds and think a pop-top would be better but at £4k to have one fitted we needed a re-think.
So as we went to leave, Milly would not start. Bugger! We called Green Flag who sent a chap out who was very interested in what we were doing, diagnosed a broken fuse and we were soon on our way. On the M5 south we were chatting about our roof changes and what we were going to do next when suddenly Milly started to splutter and slow down. Oh dear! As I pulled onto the hard shoulder I put hazard warning lights on and she started going again. So I manoeuvred back onto the motorway and turned the hazards off. She spluttered again so off to the hard shoulder we went again. We repeated this procedure a few times but thought we should turn off at the next junction as things were obviously not quite right. As we did so she started working normally so we turned back onto the M5 and on the slip road spluttered again and started to slow down. Hazards lights on again but this time she came to a complete halt.
We phoned the rescue services, again, and were told "on no account get out of the vehicle and wait in the vehicle, with your seatbelt on, to be relieved". As we waited the sun started to set over the countryside. It was very picturesque, apart from the traffic hurtling past and Milly wobbling in the lorry vortexes.
The rescue vehicle turned up fairly promptly and took us off the motorway to the next slip road and onto a garage. The mechanic had a look and tutted a bit and said she needed more attention than he could give. We enquired about a tow home and discovered we only had a 10 mile mile recovery distance. It would cost over £500 to get home! A few calls to Kath and Steve G, a trailer and a neighbours 4x4 was procured and would be with us in the morning. So we had to find a hotel for the night. Normally this wouldn't be problem but it was Cheltenham races this weekend so there were very few beds. So £90 later we were booked into an Ibis Hotel for the night and Milly was tucked up in a garage overnight.
The next day we were on the bus heading to the garage when we had a call from Dave from Overbrook Recovery Services, Gloucester. He had got her going! Brilliant. He had decided as there was not much to do he would have a fiddle with her wires. He had found a lot of connections had come loose. It must have been down to excessive vibration at 88mph! A quick call to Kath had found them just filling up and about to leave - cancel that and sit tight. Phew - just in time!
So, we set off for the third time and she started bleeping! I had heard this before and knew what to do. Just disconnect a plug or two that didn't appear to do anything! No problems all the way home. She's a one that Milly but in-spite of the events to date we were starting, in a starnge sort of way, to enjoy the uncertainty of it all! She was starting to develop a character.
