Tuesday 9 July 2013

Day 33 - Hameeenlinna to Naantali

Michael woke up early, got dresses and went outside to play football. I felt sorry for him so I got up and played with him. After about 40 minutes Timothy joined us. I don't think he really wanted to be up but couldn't stand not kicking the ball.

While Timo made another delicious breakfast, I packed up what I could. I can fit everything in but I have to figure out a more organised way to pack it. We waved goodbye to Timo around 9:30 and set off for Turku.

All went well for about 70 km but then we started smelling that hot brakes smell. I pulled off onto a track and felt and smelt all of the wheels. The last one I got to was the left rear and I didn't need to feel it, it was smoking. I got the tools out, jacked it up and took the wheel and drum off. I couldn't see much wrong. The was a small scour on one of the shoes and perhaps a little more dust than normal. I just cleaned it off backed the adjuster off one notch and replaced the drum. The problem seemed to be solved and we had no problems all the way into Turku.

Timo had arranged for us to meet up with some local Imp enthusiast. Our first stop was supposed to be the home of Veijo Peramaki but I had mistakenly entered the address of our second stop, the workshop of Kalervo and Marko Tvomi. As there was no house with a green Imp outside, and indeed no houses, I checked the address and realised my error. We drove the 14km back to Veijo's home where possibly the most immaculate green Imp I have ever seen was sitting proudly outside.

Veijo and his wife Ylva invited us to their back patio where we enjoyed a perfect lunch. After that the boy started playing Lego while Veijo and I watched the F1 Grand Prix. After this we set off into town while then boys played with Veijo and Ylvas three grandchildren. Back at the workshop that we had first navigated to we were met by Kalervo and Marita Tvomi and their son Marko, Juha Paavilainen, Timo Nikander and Jovko Valkama. Marko is the metalwork magician who transformed Veijo's car from a rusty wreck to its current state. Kalervo is the engine and gearbox specialist. Juha's beautifully prepared rally Imp in Gulf Oil livery was inside along with several shells in various stages of restoration. Jovko has two completed Imps and five awaiting attention. timo arrived in another beautifully finished early Imp in an attractive grey shade.

They all showed me around. The engine and gearbox shop is up on a mezzanine floor. Out the back are more shells including Marko's ex rally car that had such a bad crash that it took half an hour to cut Kalervo out. Roll over protection might be heavy and expensive but its worth every penny/team when it makes the difference between walking away or not. After coffee, cake and much friendly chat it was time to return to Veijo's with Veijo leading, me behind and Timo following. It felt great to be in am convoy of Imps again.

Back at Veijo's house, Ylva had prepared supper. We said our goodbuyes and then Veijo led us all the way to the campsite at Nantali. Putting then tent up for the first time was quite a puzzle. There were no instructions, not even a picture. Eventually I figured it out and we piled into our beds exhausted. It was 10:30 and the sun was just about to set.

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