End of the road

Yesterday was Katie's last day with us.  This morning we drove the long road back to her owner to drop her off.  And she's for sale.

Yup, poor Katie not only had to spend the last few months as a step-child, now she's being chucked out of her regular home too!  As we say in Afrikaans, "arme ding...."  (that's the trouble with naming your Landies and buying into their personalities)

She had her fair share of adventures as part of our household.  She went to some interesting places:

She gave us some big frights - the latest being a true near-death experience thanks to a sudden lack of brakes.

She caused us headaches - repairs, repairs, repairs... But when she went, she went well, with power, at a decent speed - and with carpets! (quite the Landy novelty, that)

We had hoped to buy her, but circumstances simply didn't play along.

We'll miss having her around.  It's been quite the ride.

Break/Brake

So there you are, toodling down the road, when there's a BANG and suddenly you have no brakes.  Oh dear...

Yup, Katie decided to throw one more curveball our way.  We eventually traced the problem to brake fluid p'sing out a corroded brake pipe in front of the radiator - the one that was corroded more than the others, that is.


So off we went to Ferrobrake, who took her in and did what was needed - fortunately in a pretty short time, unlike a previous experience with another of the Landies.  Brand new shiny brake pipe running along the front now - not held in place with cable ties, or paint, or glue of any variety.  New bits on the ends to connect it to the other bits - though I honestly can't say how long the other bits will last.  The brakes are already doubtful at the best of times, and not knowing whether you'll have them when you hit the peddle makes for stressed out trips with a constant eye on the idiots ducking in front of you vs estimated stopping distance (plus extra in case).  Doesn't exactly instill confidence when driving along! 

But oh look.  There goes another grand in repairs....