Baltic tour- 11 capitals

[Forumadmin]

Planning is still in progress for my SA's 60th birthday trip.

Currently we are joining up with Belgium, Dutch and German Jowetteers for the trip to Faaborg. So we hope to have visited London, Bruxelles and Amsterdam along the way. Hopefully, there are some Brits going through or across the channel that want to tag along. Jaak Jacobs is helping to organise this stage with a visit to a car museum of unrestored cars at Leuze (235 miles from KL). Then on to stay at Peer (115 miles)(Night1). The next day off to Amsterdam to link up with others (106 miles) and continue on to somewhere close to Hamburg (290 miles) (Night 2.)

We will probably stop around Hamburg before joining the others coming by ferry from Harwich.(146 miles to Faaborg)( Nights 3, 4 &5)

We will have three days organised by Ib to enjoy before setting off with our Finnish friends through Copenhagen (117 miles ) (perhaps stopping at Malmo (29 miles) overnight (Night 6) and Stockholm (381 miles). The ferry will go overnight leaving Stockholm at 20.00 hrs and arriving 07:35hrs. (Night 7) We may take in a relaxing boat cruise before going to Helsinki. (88 miles)(Night 8 &9).

Then the problems start as we want to go to St.Petersberg. (120 miles to border with at least 2 hour wait plus 120 miles to city)(Night 10, 11)

So then on to Estonia (60 miles) and Tallinn (180 miles) Night 12, Leaving Euro land into Latvia (80 miles) and Riga (110 miles). (Night 13)

Continuing to Lithuania (50 miles) and Vilnius (130 miles) (Night 14)
Poland (110 miles) and Warsaw (180 miles)( Night 15).

Return to Germany (260 miles) and Berlin (110 miles) (Night 16) and on to Peer (406 miles) (Night 17) before Bruxelles (60 miles), the tunnel (110 miles) and London (100 miles) (Night 18). Then off to the Goodwood Revival.

[Forumadmin]

Whilst trying to organise the first legs of the journey Ricahrd van Buul phoned and mentioned bans (with Denise's help) on older vehicles entering cities. Well this sort of scupers some of the plans. I checked Den Hague which has a Low Emission Zone but foreign cars are not enforced.
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fu ... zones.html
http://www.lowemissionzones.eu/countrie ... /stockholm
So I thought I would jump to Sweden as they are the most progressive. Stockholm only apply to heavy vehicles.

Germany, and hence Berlin and Bonn has this exemption.

Vintage cars older than 30 year with “H” in the registration number or with a red number plate (prefix 07) for historic vehicles. Foreign vehicles need to comply with the corresponding conditions

But I cannot find out what those regulations are! So I think we may be in for an interesting time!
Whilst looking, this is the way Gemany is controlled....

A GPS based navigation system which has maps indicating the location of speed cameras must have the ‘speed camera PoI (Points of Interest)’ function deactivated. Should you be unable to deactivate this function the GPS system must not be carried.
The use of radar detectors is prohibited.

Copenhagen on heavy vehicles.

[Forumadmin]

A lot of the requirements I have not copied from country to country as having fulfilled them for one on our journey we will just keep doing it.

France, Euros, breathalyser 11e fine, speed camera disable, dip lights, triangle, bulbs, reflective jacket, http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/to ... monaco.pdf

Belgium. Euro, min 70 on motorway, dip lights, triangle, bulbs, reflective jacket, speed camera ok, engine switch off when stationary , Peage or Tol means STOP http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/to ... elgium.pdf

Holland, Euro , http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/to ... rlands.pdf

Germany, Euro, School bus overtake, Umweltzone vignette!http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/to ... ermany.pdf

Denmark Kroner , dipped lights, triangle. Right hand drive vehicles must have wing mirrors on both sides of the vehicle.Motorists must always yield to bicycles. Standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs, for private vehicles without trailers; In built-up areas 31 mph (50 km/h), outside built-up areas 49 mph (80 km/h) or 55 mph (90 km/h) and motorways 68 mph (110 km/h) or 80 mph (130 km/h). A speed limit of 24 mph (40km/h) applies within the centre of Copenhagen http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/to ... enmark.pdf READ EVERY WORD!

Sweden, SEK, bloodstream is 0.02 per cent , dipped, Speed limits are not based on the type of road, but on the quality and safety of the actual road itself. Speed limits may subsequently vary along the same road. It is therefore recommended to pay particular attention to road signs. The lowest speed limits, which may be varied by signs, for private vehicles without trailers. In built-up areas: 18 mph (30 km/h), outside built-up areas 43 mph (70 km/h), motorways 55 mph (90 km/h). Vehicles with trailers must never exceed 49mph (80 km/h). If in doubt, or if there is no speed limits indicated, drivers are advised to keep to 70km/h until you pass a speed limit sign. Datumparkering’. On odd days parking is not permitted on the side of the road with odd numbers. On even days, parking is not permitted on the side of the road with even numbers. Congestion charges in Stockholm do not apply to foreign registered vehicles. http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/to ... sweden.pdf

Finland, Euro,
The fine is payable at a bank within two weeks. Street cleaning removal. Triangle, jacket,
Foreign drivers have the right to refuse to give information concerning their income, in which case, the fine will be standard. All motor vehicles must use their headlights in and outside built up areas at all times throughout the year. http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/to ... inland.pdf

Estonia, Euro. bloodstream is 0.02 per cent , Dipped, First Aid Kit, Fire extinguisher, wheel chocks, Two triangles, International Certificate for Motor Vehicles (ICMV) not required
Petrol in a can permitted, subject to payment of excise duty at the frontier.
The police control speeds closely and will give fines for even the smallest speeding offences. Illegally parked cars will be clamped. Heavy fines can be imposed for unlawful parking. http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/to ... stonia.pdf
The border police may ask visitors for proof of sufficient personal insurance cover on entry.
It is prohibited to overtake a tram which has stopped to let passengers on or off.
Motorists must pay a toll to enter the city of Tallin.

Latvia. Lat.
Standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs, for private vehicles without trailers: In built-up areas 31 mph (50 km/h), outside built-up areas 55 mph (90 km/h), dual carriageways 62 mph (100 km/h). There are no motorways in Latvia. In residential areas the speed limit is 20km/h. Latvia has very little signposting and road markings.

Lithuania, Litas, dipped. First aid, fire ext, triangle, jacket,
In built-up areas 31 mph (50 km/h), other roads 43 mph (70 km/h), outside built-up areas on asphalt roads 55 mph (90 km/h). dual carriageways 68 mph (110 km/h) On motorways from 1st April to 1st November a limit of 80 mph (130 km/h) applies between (i) Vilnius - Panevezys and (ii) Kaunas - Klaipeda. http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/to ... huania.pdf

Poland, zloty, dipped,
Standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs, for private vehicles without trailers: In built-up areas 37 mph (60 km/h) from 2300hrs to 0500hrs and 31 mph (50 km/h) from 0500hrs to 2300hrs, outside built-up areas 55mph (90 km/h), on express roads (2 x 1 lanes) 62 mph (100 km/h) or (2 x 2 lanes) 74 mph (120 km/h) and 86 mph (140 km/h) on motorways. The minimum speed on motorways is 24 mph (40 km/h). Some residential zones are 13mph (20km/h).http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/to ... poland.pdf

Luxembourg, Euro,
It is compulsory to flash headlights at night when overtaking outside built-up areas.http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/to ... mbourg.pdf


To do, Credit card inform bank, flashing warning light.

[Forumadmin]

Just driven the Tallinn to Warsaw bit in 3D view taking about an hour. Gives a good impression of what the roads and scenery will be like.

Click on the link. Then, when screen comes up, in the left panel, just below 'Get Directions ', there is a small flag which says '3D ' Click on that.

You can also pause and look around. Did that in Warsaw just to see if I could remember it.

Find below the maps for the three legs of the journey. London to Faaborg, Faaborg to Helsinkii, and Tallinn to London.

The last leg is still under construction.



https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Ki ... mra=ls&z=7



https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Hote ... mra=ls&z=6


https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Ta ... mra=ls&z=6

[Forumadmin]

APPARENTLY YOU NEED TO UPGRADE GOOGLE MAPS TO DO 3d BUT IT IS ALL FREE.

Been in the real (not virtual ) world today as the refurbished gearchange column arrived from Drummond. It is now painted and the old one removed. So tomorrow Scott (if he is not jet lagged) and I will put it in. The old one does have some play in it, so I hope it was wise to remove, since they seem to have an affinity for breaking in Norway, other Scandinavian countries might also have the disease prevalent.

Only took half an hour to remove and most of that was taking off the fireproof shield (dictated by some race or rally scrutineer) around the bulkhead opening. Once again the two post lift earned its keep, going up and down frequently as I manoevered the column out.

Things are coming together with contacts in most countries, including some journalists. So hopefully, the name Jowett will reach a few more ears and eyes. I am using the tour to aid cancer charities as well, but unfortunately have not really had time to spend on that promotion yet. Hopefully the signage on the car will do some of that. See the forum topic graphic. Yes those are QR codes, try them if you dare. Or if you are technically challenged http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fan6GQr4 ... e=youtu.be


Just realised I did not report here that I changed the gearbox casing last week after discovering some play in the shaft housing whilst setting up the gear mechanism after changing the clutch. Whilst checking after the test run, I noticed the play in the gear change. Once again thanks to the two post lift!

[Jack]

A bit of a promo video featuring some photos from previous rallies, footage from the track at Goodwood, and a bit of info, all conveniently linked by scanning a QR code which will be stuck on the car for anyone with a smartphone Keith & Scott meet along the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fan6GQr4 ... e=youtu.be

Music to be added shortly.

Jack.

[Forumadmin]

Baltic.jpg

Please click on picture and print to put on your car or give to people.

[Keith Clements]

The trip today to Cranleigh car show acted as a good shakedown. The first was that the variable pitch fan that had been set to zero pitch allowed the car to heat up to 85c when the electric fan kicks in. The outside temp was above 30c so some pitch was added and the temp came down to the required 75c and about 85 at the heads. The car had been difficult to start when so hot.

Next problem was the oil temp sender popped out.

All this was after fixing an electric problem caused by all the work under the dash fixing a petrol gauge issue, and fitting a restraining strap for the toolbox, oil can and battery jump pack on the bulkhead under the bonnet.

Next issue was a grating noise that when on the ramp indicated a noisy midship bearing. So we have strapped a spare prop onto the chassis and hope we do not need to fit.

Next issue was the seat which had been rebuilt with a 1 inch square wood strip at the bottom of the upright. This was removed. PJM had also fitted metric bolts to the hinges rather than BSF so we have rethreaded. I can now see out of the windscreen rather than over the top of it.

Packing tomorrow.

[Jack]

Next issue was the seat which had been rebuilt with a 1 inch square wood strip at the bottom of the upright. This was removed. PJM had also fitted metric bolts to the hinges rather than BSF so we have rethreaded. I can now see out of the windscreen rather than over the top of it.

Not sure if the seat angle will affect the clearance to the metal hinge on the hood when stowed - this was a problem before with the fairly upright seat, and I can't imagine it improves with the seat reclining further. Rubbing strips need to go on soon anyway, but worth avoiding any unnecessary damage to the seat.

Definitely worth sliding a piece of carpet, rubber mat or similar in there for now. 4,000 miles is a long way.

I'll have a chat with PJM while you are away about the seat. Sounds like they rushed to get it back to us for Silverstone etc and cut a couple of corners.

Jack.

[Amy]

We saw the intrepid travellers tonight - I fed them a last meal, then we took them to a pub for their last pints, and celebrated their imminent departure by winning the pub quiz.

Dad had yet to pack, but I'm sure Josephine Jupiter is ready and raring to go

We shall be taking care of the Clements garage in their absence, and looking after everything in our own inimitable fashion, so worry not Daddy Dear

[p.p.]

wish you two a stunning and save trip !!!!!!!!!!!
no issue at all !!!!
lots of fun !!!!!!!!!!
dont get lost !!!

peter

[Chris Spencer]

Keith & Scott - Good luck with the trip - keep us all all posted on your travels

[Keith Clements]

Scott and I had a relaxing evening with Amy, Issy and a late/coming Jack at a pub quiz the night before the start. This we won!
However, it does seem our brains were not quite in gear the following day, as Scott found he had lost his one and only credit card at the first petrol station. This of course, is a likely story; but Scott was a very good actor. A phone call to Amy asking her to search the house was fruitless. Numerous long conversations with Scott's bank eventually secured a replacement to be sent on to a hotel.

We made it on time to the Atomium in Bruxelles and then onto Jaak Jacob's house. A quick check under the car in Jaak's pit showed we might have a future problem. But we went out for a really good Belgium meal.

Next day we set off for the Hague to photo the Jup outside the Court for International Justice and then meet Jaak at Richard and Denise van Buul in Nieuwegen for a great lunch. The tour was proving to be a gastronmic delight! We were taken on a walking tour of the very interesting village that Richard lives in .

We set off for Friesland and Chris Van De Vaart's home. The speed Jaak wanted to drive at was slower than our normal speed and this showed up a vibration. Luckily there was a friend of Chris who had a fantastic garage with a lift so, now joined by Jaap Langenberg, we all helped push a VW camper off the lift to make room for the Jup. Inspection showed the midship rubber had worn, the layrub might have been suspect and the output flange of the gearbox was not quite tight. These were all fixed with parts being carried in the Jup apart from a washer that was made up by the large team of helpers. We finished just before the start of another gastronomic delight with home cooked bread and a BBQ and some conversation well into the early hours.

Just starting the trip now to Hamburg, before meeting the UK contingent tomorrow. Pictures will follow.

[Forumadmin]

Just finished our German dinner north of Hamburg. The vibration from the prop was still there so we decided to try to fix by trying to find some new midship rubbers. A helpful motorbike shop supplied two shock absorber rubber bump stops we thought would fit, but we decided in the end to make a metal collar from two cylinders 2 cm wide cut off the exhaust pipe. Then squeezed the old rubbers inside. The rest of the party had been scavenging old beer cans and various rubber components from the town. A test run with the wheel off the ground was promising with little vibration.

[Forumadmin]

Atomium, Bruxelles

International Criminal Court , The Hague