|
|
Post by NigelMoore on Oct 19, 2019 21:15:01 GMT
Speaking on behalf of mechanical buffoons , it can be embarrassing to admit ignorance coupled with a degree of guilt for being so incompetent, particularly to a stranger. I can relate to that. I once broke down in my little Renault 4 hundreds of miles from anywhere on a gravel road in the middle of the Pilbara, and not being particularly ‘mechanical’ was utterly perplexed as to why. After about an hour a truck came bombing down the road and I just buried my head under the hood in embarrassment. Much to my chagrin they stopped and asked whether I needed help, and I couldn’t bring myself to admit that I did. They were rather cross, and demanded to know why I hadn’t, in that case, waved them on (truckers in the outback hate having to stop for anything). Needless to say (I wouldn’t be alive to tell the tale now otherwise), I eventually managed to discover the problem. I worked methodically through possibilities until I came to the carburettor, to find that the bolts had vibrated loose, and it was filled with fine gravel and dust. Cleared that out and tightened everything up, and was on my way. It was unbelievably foolish; another vehicle might not have come by for days, and pride could have cost me my life.  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2019 21:22:46 GMT
And that's why photo competitions don't need to have a "taken yesterday from my boat" rule.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Oct 20, 2019 6:32:49 GMT
and a boat is moored up where you really wouldn’t moor up You have mislead me, and I demand a Second Referendum. I think you'll find its a "confirmatory vote", we don't call it "a second referendum", that would upset Sun Readers. |
|
|
|
Post by JohnV on Oct 20, 2019 6:53:42 GMT
another weasel term from a bunch of weasels
|
|
|
|
Post by ianali on Oct 20, 2019 7:40:37 GMT
another weasel term from a bunch of weasels Surely the grand weasel is Boris? Seems he will do and say anything to get his way. |
|
|
|
Post by Telemachus on Oct 20, 2019 7:54:13 GMT
No not about brexit bollox, but the stiff upper lip I’ll be alright tally ho old chap british bravado. Cruising up the Ashby today, halfway between Tesco and basin bridge and a boat is moored up where you really wouldn’t moor up, slowed as I passed and the chap said did I know any good mechanics, why I asked, engine cut out he replies, do you have any tools I reply, no he said, I slam it in reverse so I can moor up and offer any help, he puts his hand up and says it’s ok I’m sure I’ll sort something ... so I carried on. Now I’m not great with engines, but I might be better than him and would go through the motions of checking fuel stuff before sucking my teeth, or maybe getting lucky and find out why it cut out. So why would someone dismiss help, wonder if he still there with no lights and a grumpy wife who can’t watch strictly. I think some people with total mechanical ineptitude can’t comprehend that other people might have a clue what they are doing, unless they are one of those magical people called a mechanic and who charges them lots of money. Ie a “professional”. I’ve had this issue on a number of occasions. Folk would prefer to pay some incompetent cowboy to poke and prod at their problem thing, rather than allowing someone like me who went to a proper school, has an engineering degree and 50 years experience not only of taking things to bits but also, in most cases, putting them back together successfully, to have a look. |
|
|
|
Post by naughtyfox on Oct 20, 2019 8:08:41 GMT
Speaking on behalf of mechanical buffoons , it can be embarrassing to admit ignorance coupled with a degree of guilt for being so incompetent, particularly to a stranger. It was unbelievably foolish; another vehicle might not have come by for days, and pride could have cost me my life. It doesn't really matter - who cares if people think you're an idiot for a few moments? As long as you try your best. And you can make up for your inadequacies by helping others whenever you have a chance. I have given many people hitch-hiking lifts in my/our car, returning the favours I had when younger and hitch-hiking myself. Of course you have to use some sense - do they look like a 'genuine' hitch-hiker? Destination sign? Not too scruffy? Rucksack? And not just some pissed-up old tossser thrown out of a pub. A scam is to leave a 'body' in the road (clothes filled with straw) to stop motorists, or the old Russian one of bonnet open and pretending there's something wrong to make people stop so you can rob them. It's one facet I like about Finns, they are usually no-nonsense and deal straight away with 'mechanical issues' so they can carry on doing whatever it is they want to be doing. Life is too short to show the stiff upper lip and suffer in silence. |
|
|
|
Post by naughtyfox on Oct 20, 2019 8:09:20 GMT
And that's why photo competitions don't need to have a "taken yesterday from my boat" rule. It depends on what kind of photo competition it is. Idiot. |
|
|
|
Post by JohnV on Oct 20, 2019 8:41:07 GMT
No not about brexit bollox, but the stiff upper lip I’ll be alright tally ho old chap british bravado. Cruising up the Ashby today, halfway between Tesco and basin bridge and a boat is moored up where you really wouldn’t moor up, slowed as I passed and the chap said did I know any good mechanics, why I asked, engine cut out he replies, do you have any tools I reply, no he said, I slam it in reverse so I can moor up and offer any help, he puts his hand up and says it’s ok I’m sure I’ll sort something ... so I carried on. Now I’m not great with engines, but I might be better than him and would go through the motions of checking fuel stuff before sucking my teeth, or maybe getting lucky and find out why it cut out. So why would someone dismiss help, wonder if he still there with no lights and a grumpy wife who can’t watch strictly. 50 years experience not only of taking things to bits but also, in most cases, putting them back together successfully, to have a look. do you have a box full of those odd washers that always appear when you have finished ?  |
|
|
|
Post by Mr Stabby on Oct 20, 2019 8:42:37 GMT
No not about brexit bollox, but the stiff upper lip I’ll be alright tally ho old chap british bravado. Cruising up the Ashby today, halfway between Tesco and basin bridge and a boat is moored up where you really wouldn’t moor up, slowed as I passed and the chap said did I know any good mechanics, why I asked, engine cut out he replies, do you have any tools I reply, no he said, I slam it in reverse so I can moor up and offer any help, he puts his hand up and says it’s ok I’m sure I’ll sort something ... so I carried on. Now I’m not great with engines, but I might be better than him and would go through the motions of checking fuel stuff before sucking my teeth, or maybe getting lucky and find out why it cut out. So why would someone dismiss help, wonder if he still there with no lights and a grumpy wife who can’t watch strictly. I’ve had this issue on a number of occasions. Folk would prefer to pay some incompetent cowboy to poke and prod at their problem thing, rather than allowing someone like me who went to a proper school, has an engineering degree and 50 years experience not only of taking things to bits but also, in most cases, putting them back together successfully, to have a look. Perhaps they are worried that they might have to talk to you?  |
|
|
|
Post by Telemachus on Oct 20, 2019 9:09:19 GMT
50 years experience not only of taking things to bits but also, in most cases, putting them back together successfully, to have a look. do you have a box full of those odd washers that always appear when you have finished ? Yes. It’s funny how manufacturers insist on putting things together with too many screws, washers, nuts etc. What a waste of money. |
|
|
|
Post by aquarat on Oct 20, 2019 9:12:55 GMT
50 years experience not only of taking things to bits but also, in most cases, putting them back together successfully, to have a look. do you have a box full of those odd washers that always appear when you have finished ? I found an errant bolt after fixing the alternator the other day, took me half an hour to realise I had replaced it... |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2019 9:15:16 GMT
Eyup stranger ... not often we are graced with the presence of aquarat ... hope all's well on board. Rog |
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Oct 20, 2019 9:19:21 GMT
another weasel term from a bunch of weasels Surely the grand weasel is Boris? Seems he will do and say anything to get his way. Including Lying to the Queen and being up before the beak for lying, but got off with a masonic handshake no doubt. |
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Oct 20, 2019 9:24:45 GMT
Speaking on behalf of mechanical buffoons , it can be embarrassing to admit ignorance coupled with a degree of guilt for being so incompetent, particularly to a stranger. I can relate to that. I once broke down in my little Renault 4 hundreds of miles from anywhere on a gravel road in the middle of the Pilbara, and not being particularly ‘mechanical’ was utterly perplexed as to why. After about an hour a truck came bombing down the road and I just buried my head under the hood in embarrassment. Much to my chagrin they stopped and asked whether I needed help, and I couldn’t bring myself to admit that I did. They were rather cross, and demanded to know why I hadn’t, in that case, waved them on (truckers in the outback hate having to stop for anything). Needless to say (I wouldn’t be alive to tell the tale now otherwise), I eventually managed to discover the problem. I worked methodically through possibilities until I came to the carburettor, to find that the bolts had vibrated loose, and it was filled with fine gravel and dust. Cleared that out and tightened everything up, and was on my way. It was unbelievably foolish; another vehicle might not have come by for days, and pride could have cost me my life. Renault 4s were great little cars, once picked one up for £30, fitted a new clutch and away it went. The front chassis frame came apart on a camping trip to north wales, I lashed it back together with blue string and a spanish windlass to get us home. It used to be said that with 4 sturdy passengers you could take it anywhere a 4x4 could go, if it got stuck just pick it up and move it. |
|
