We were going to the Nationals in WA. Neil had the TC so it was to be the TR7. We were going to go on the train but the train would not take the TR7, as it did not have enough ground clearance. So we tried to put it in a truck in Adelaide and fly across. The truck wanted the car empty so we drove across. The TR7 needed a roadworthy. When it was almost ready the gearbox decided it did not want to go to WA. Oil leaked out. So it was into the 4WD TR8, ie, Discovery V8. It has the same engine lineage as the TR8 and has mag wheels. It too decided it would blow a head gasket but both head gaskets were replaced and running again, the day before we left. 8weeks later we arrived at Busselton. We had been to Adelaide for 2 weeks and had driven across the Nullabor and around the SW corner of WA. Fixed the cruise control too. The resort was easy to find, there was a Triumph on a trailer parked outside the entrance. Next day it was the show and display day and a few local Triumphs turned up too. Monday was competion day and a good day was had by all, but 1. Despite 4wdisc brakes the Triumph still wanted to fly. Didn't do it any good either. The rest of the week was taken up by driving around the Wineries, navigation run, motorkahana, food, more food and more wine, then more food and wine every night. The final night dinner was a more relaxed affair than at previous rallies I have attended and much appreciated by those that I spoke to. On the way home we shredded a tyre at Wilcannia, put the spare on and while at rest area 55k later on, 1 of the front tyres was going down. Dialled RACQ and they ended up getting a tilt tray from Cobar 200k away. As it was sat night we waited till Monday, had 4 new tyres fitted and off we went back home. Will we be going to the next Nationals in NSW, (Does it stand for Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong) yes, already filled the paperwork in. Hopefully in the TR7 this time. Chris Roberts, Blackbutt.

Its sunday afternoon and son Neil is in Brisbane and is having difficulty getting the TC into gear. After hunting around the TSOA website I ring President Stevan. We come to the conclusion that it may just be hydraulics and hopefully not a clutch plate problem. Stevan advises me who to get the RACQ to take the car to. I pass this info to Neil. 2 days later Neil rings to say we were correct and the clutch master cylinder needs a new Stainless Sleeve fitting. 2 days later again the TC is back on the road. Minor problem was they did not use silicon fluid, so that will be a little job sooner rather than later. So, thank you Stevan for your assistance. Chris Roberts, Gladstone.  

We went to UK for 10months. This plan included getting to as many Triumph activities as possible. That was the plan but that's not the way it turned out. I had left my latest edition of Triumph World in Oz and bought the latest one on arrival in UK. That was when the problems started. For years they had had all the events listed but the new owners of the magazine decided not to put this information in the magazine, as they said "As you are all in Triumph clubs you know what is going on". Maybe they do but nobody else does.

We went to the Triumph 3 day weekend at Malvern at the Three Counties Showgrounds. We had arranged to meet the people we had met the year before but on arrival there was really no one there. It had rained for 3 days and the place was flooded. I went into the pavilions where the organizers were trying to run the show, no matter what. I did what I had to do and found the man from Triumph World, he was packing up. I commented about the lack of information in the latest magazine, and the fact that we were not all members of a UK club. He said he would heed my comments and see what they could do. Next month there was no reference at all to the UK events at all. Bye bye Triumph World.

Went to S&S Preparations, had a talk with them about buying some cars but after a close look I could buy better in Oz. More rust than paint, but the price was right. We decided not to carry on with that venture. After touring Scotland, Ireland and Wales where we saw very few Triumphs (saw more Morris Minors than anything else) we went to Robsport International. We had not dealt with them before but after this visit, I was impressed. Yes we did go to Rimmers as well and bought some sedan parts.

When we read the brochure from P&O about luggage on the cruise ship "Aurora", it said "bring as much as you want". So we did, 23 suitcases, with a lot of Triumph parts inside, and 2 TR7 nose panels. The Aurora did not even sink down a millimetre!. For those interested in engines, the Aurora is fitted with 4, V14, M.A.N. diesels. These drive 4 alternators which supply electrical power to the 2 electric motors to drive the 2 propellors and the rest goes to run the ship. (ie, keep the lights on in the bar) This gave a cruising speed of 26knots and about 28knots flat out. One engine runs all the time in port as there is a large enough hotel load to keep one of these large engines under a decent load. Despite Reception saying there were no engine room tours, I did get one. Depends how you write the letter and being a Marine Engineer helps too. In other words, do not take no for an answer.

Now, back to Triumphs, I was impressed with the turnout for the Tech Talk at Greg Tunstalls recently, if you did not go you missed out on a good day. My son said he learnt something, not bad for an accountant. I'd like to go to the next one but it depends on what we are doing. We will not be attending the Qld National Rally as we want to go to WA next year and we cannot afford to go to both, even if it is in Brissys back yard. So we will put the money for this years event towards the WA trip. (Have to get the TR7 registered now.) After being able to move a medical appointment we now are able to go to the trip to Bowdens museum. It will be Gladstone to Brisbane on the Thursday, medical on the Friday, Bowdens on the Saturday then back to Gladstone after the museum.

Is this enough to qualify for the "C" word.? Commitment to you!

Chris Roberts. Gladstone.