Willys Jeep; Unpublished blog from back in September, a sunny drive into the Lammermuir hills...

 

This Post never got published as loads more going on so here is a post from the proper real last warm day of the year...

The Jeep has been running great and I have bought a few needed things for running it, buying in bulk saves money in the long term, including a 5 gallon drum of 20/50 mineral oil - which at £58 (free post) from eBay is going to save me money long term and there is no need to use semi synthetic oil in an 80 year old design Jeep, the small oil drip after it cools from a drive - not even a tea spoonful will probably stop with the correct thicker oil...

Also ordered 5 gallons of Radiator coolant which will be mixed 2-1 as the Jeep uses a bit water not having an expansion tank. it has pure tap water this now and using coolant even in summers helps prevent corrosion and build up of scale. I will probably look at buying some radiator flushing liquid and then empty and refill the system - which may allow the Jeep to run slightly cooler and allow me to safely use an ammo box up front (see below), time will see once the coolant drum arrives...

I also picked up a couple of Cold War era Ammo boxes to maybe use if we get away a camp in the Jeep before the Summers gone, the wooden is 30" long so a better fit than the brown metal box, it has a screw on top so will need some hinges and lock. I attached it with a ratchet strap and was out a short drive with it down to Barnes Ness when G had a go at Paddle boarding with sons partners board... 

But with the radiator partially blocked by the box the Jeep was running approx 20 - 25 degrees warmer at around 180 on the clock, it usually runs around 145 - 155, but did discover it sits in the rear foot well perfect so both boxes can be used to carry camping kit...

The green wood box... 

 And the brown metal box...

Once back from Whitesands and the paddle boarding, I headed off up the Hills on my own for a bit `Me time` and soak up the views with blooming heather and blue skies...

What a fantastic day!, this is what it's all about owning an old Jeep!, using it, and enjoying it...

I decided  to film with the head cam on using the old Go Pro HERO 4 Session I use on the Jeep as it was a stunning day and I had the screen down and roof folded up - how I love to drive the Jeep, and I left it running and added no music, just turning down the sound when it was out in the breeze and have edited the footage into 6 films. Music is various songs troops that once drove this Jeep back in the 1960`s/70`s would have probably listened to in camp or at a bar having a beer after some action...

1st film is driving up onto the Lammermuirs and the heather in bloom this now adds to the views and scenery, up Redstone Rig to part at the top and soak up the views...

Song is `Nowhere To Run` byMartha Reeves and The Vandellas

Then it was down past Mayshiel approaching Whiteadder Reservoir, it was roasting descending into the Vally at the Reservoir, this was the life!. living the dream!...

Song is `Liar,Liar` by The Castaways...

And then around the reservoir and up to park on the hill top and soak up the views...

Song is `Baby Please Don't Go` by Them

I returned via the Nunraw Road past Johnscleuch Farm and stopped at Whitecastle fort as the views open up again across East Lothian...

The heather in bloom looked lovely and I was loving being out in the Jeep up here, waited so many months for days like this...

Song is `Five O'clock World` by The Vogues, then `The Game Of Love` by Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders...

Then I descended down into the hamlet of Garvald, the  Jeeps diff and Go Devil engine radiator fan wine echoed off the bands and walls of the ravine, the unique characteristic sound of an approaching Willys Jeep...

When I drive my jeep I often think about who once drove this Jeep in it's Military life?, where it it operate?, was it in any conflicts since it's commission in 1965?...

Song is The End` by The Doors...

Then it was back through the Hillfoots to behind Traprain Law, in th heart of East Lothian - The Shire!, again great harvest views from here...

Song is `Light My Fire` by The Doors...

Camera put away i continued on back roads down to East Linton passing under the busy A1 having again stopped to soak up the views of golden fields...

Back down to the coast and i refilled the Jeep in a busy North Berwick town packed with day visitors. before back on country roads and i stopped on the way home at an old road sign I have taken a picture of every bike I have built hanging from it since I started the blog...

What a fantastic day... living the dream...

I won`t be hanging this toy from it though!...

More soon...