Canterbury, UK (21 June 2012)

Proof that the mythical car actually exists!

It’s here and delivered. We’ll take this out to Canterbury tomorrow.

It is NOT done, so to speak, but done enough for us to use over the next couple of weeks. The critical functions have been finished, but there is MUCH in the cosmetic and detail portions that still either need to be installed, swapped out, or fixed before the car will make the boat ride to Georgia.

Too much to write now.. but there will be a punch list of items to get sorted out. The most immediate/obvious issue now is that the doors don’t work/lock properly. We currently can’t even get the rear passenger side door to open. The car did pass MOT and was taxed in the UK and fully licensed with insurance & etc. The builder focused on getting the engine and transmission right, so we have as much confidence as is reasonable that the thing will run and get us where we need to be.

The exterior is basically done, but the interior is still pretty rough, but serviceable. I’m thrilled that we finally have it and am eager to get some miles under our belts, even if it is under rough conditions. Once we get done traveling about in Europe, we’ll return the car to Hartlepool, and Colin will finish all of the items.
Wish us luck!

CANTERBURY:

Yesterday we left London and drove about an hour and a half east through the Kent region to Canterbury. That will be our home-base for the next two nights while we explore all over the area.

Our first stop was downtown Canterbury. We had lunch at a small tea room that Brenda fell in love with on our first trip here. After that, we headed for the Cathedral. Brenda and the little girls split off and went window shopping, while the rest of us toured the old building.

After that, we did more shopping, walking and eating until it was bed time. Canterbury is a fairly small town, and everything is within walking distance of our hotel, making small and desultory trips possible even with 7 people involved.