Janet and Cody
Chuck and Cody
Spider web with morning dew
Gil and Sandy with Carson and Cody
Sunday, August 16th – London
Had a good visit with Gil and Sandy, though it got a bit expensive.
I knew that I had a bit of an alignment problem with one of the tires on the trailer, but when we got to London, Jan suggested that the tire looked a bit low. She was right – nearly always – so I, well Gil, took the wheel off, and we put on the spare. I’d just take the tire with me to get the oil changed on the truck, and at the same time, finally get the front brakes checked. (I really wasn’t having serious problems with the brakes, but thought I’d just be safe.)
Now the plot gets really thick. The tire was shot. It had separated; tread from carcass, so needed to be replaced. Ok, I’ll have to buy a trailer tire. It turns out that it’s a 185 80R
T13 – not a common size. It’s Saturday, and a tire that size can’t be got at any of the tire places in London till at least Tuesday. I’m resigned at that time to taking a chance, and going without a spare. When Gil and I get back to his place, he glances down at the spare, and the spare isn’t the same size as the tire we removed. It’s a very common size and easy to access. Finally we do so, and I now run on two identical tires, with a spare that’s off size. Acceptable, but I’m $150 leaner.
In the meantime, back on Friday, the Ford dealer looks at my brakes, and I have two millimeters of brake pad. Below the accepted minimum. Ok, change them. Not so fast!! There are some minor signs of damage to the rotors. Enough already! 600 dollars later, I have new rotors, and new pads. Lets Roll!!
By the way, in between Gil running me around, some times in my truck, and some times in his 1970 Pontiac GTO convertible! He’s worked it over pretty good, and it’s a neat ride. Lots of smiles - most of them from me! We also took it out for a cruise around London on Saturday night, then out for dinner.
Really did enjoy the days. Carson and Cory, the two miniature American Eskimo dogs are very entertaining. Middle sized bundles of fluff.
Chuck and Janet.
