'82 343 DLS: beyond the arctic circle

[MCHUDD]

Hi Tom.
I like that clock.
Hope its still working.

Cheers Mark.

[trabitom99]

Awesome work. I must get that red one I'm looking after going!! It looks spot-on, bar the late-model murdering-out.

Thanks bogbasic! The ... what?

Hi Tom.
I like that clock.
Hope its still working.

Cheers Mark.

All working well! I told the film crew, the clock came from Northern Ireland. They were impressed (hope they left it in ...)

Tom

[S10NPH]

Oh I hope that you can get a video link of the program when it airs, I'd love to see it.

Good luck on your Scandinavian trip

[trabitom99]

If it runs, it'll be here for 4 weeks after it goes on air:
http://www.tvnow.de/ntv/ps-das-automagazin/list/aktuell

Regarding the scandinavian trip, we were going to leave very soon, on Thursday 26th. Unfortunately, my mates daughter has suddenly become seriously ill and it's looking increasingly unlikely that we'll be able to go. I've just emailed the ferry company, asking if the booking can be amended for June 2017

A years' worth of planning ... ouch. But it can't be helped, family comes first.

Cheers

Tom

[MCHUDD]

Hi Tom.
Family first is right. Hope your mates daughter makes a full recovery.
Cheers Mark.

[trabitom99]

Thanks Mark. She's out of hospital now and things are looking good. With a bit of luck, we might be able to make the trip after all.

Tom

[trabitom99]

We've decided to go.

Having half expected the trip to fall through, I've been neglecting the final preperations a little, so things have been a bit hectic in the last few days.

Went to the MOT (TÜV) station on Saturday, not expecting any problems and ... FAIL!




They weren't happy with the emissions, but more importantly one of the front brake hoses was beginning to bulge. I'm surprised we didn't notice it while changing the brake pads, but either we weren't looking properly or it magically appeared in the last few 100kms.

Booked the car in at the local garage yesterday having soaked the hose connections in WD40 the night before. If those pipes have been in there for nearly 35 years there's no knowing what might snap off. I spent the time jumping around the car the whole time, but the mechanics were very patient with me.



Here's the culprit:



The RH side was OK, but changed that too. The rear brake hose was done a few years back.

Packed the car up last night, filled her up with Super Plus, checked the tyre pressures, and tomorrow it's off to the port of Kiel to get the night ferry to Göteborg.

The car has done just under 4.000kms in the last 6 years, we plan to double that in the next 6 days. Keep your fingers crossed for us ...

Cheers

Tom

[macplaxton]

Good luck!

[SteveP]

Best of luck Tom! Sure it'll go well. Good that it was spotted now and not later!

[bogbasic]

Ditto from me, too, but why does it look like a 360 underneath?

[trabitom99]

Very lucky! Could have got nasty going down some norwegian slope. But still need to get there first.

Bogbasic - it basically is a 360 underneath. B19A-engined pre-360-badged 343 "s-model".

Cheers

Tom

[trabitom99]

Stocking up on supplies on day 1:


Ferry from Kiel to Gothenburg:





Drove from Gothenburg to the north cape island in 32 hours non-stop:





Crossing the arctic circle at 4am on day 3


Wheel nuts on tightly enough?



Less and less vegetation the further north you go:




On north cape island:



Made it to Europe's most northerly point (just about) after 2700kms:


Heading back down Norway's coastal roads now, 3500kms in 5 days and counting ... Good car, the 343 DLS.

Cheers

Tom

[V6 Man]

Is there any memorial to the brave 1932 sailors who lost their lives on 26th December 1943 when the Scharnhorst was sunk? Despite her being an 'enemy' ship I've always felt sorry for her crew and the noble way that they conducted themselves during the Battle of North Cape, and indeed throughout most of the war. The Kriegsmarine always struck me as a most honourable adversary from my Grandfather's stories and, along with most sailors, the sea was always the common enemy, so it would be nice to think that there is a fitting memorial to all the brave lads who gave their lives for a cause, no matter how misguided, on that fateful day.

[trabitom99]

I don't remember there being a memorial, but there is a big WWII display in the "Nordkaphallen" right on the cape. To my shame I didn't read the whole thing, but it's morer than likely they mentioned the Scharnhorst along with those who lost their lives protecting the convoys.

[SteveP]

Fantastic pics Tom! Looks like a great trip. Glad to see the 343 is going well