[Warning: Relatively unmanly philosophical post follows…]
Hi,
Long time no speak!
Well 2013 sucked.
Things professionally had been challenging for some time (still are) but throw in a spot of cancer followed by a bout of glandular fever combined with back spasms and I am very glad to see the end of last year.
The thing with cancer, however small (but I guess they all start that way and I’m just lucky that’s all mine had the chance to get), is that most of your focus (or mine at least) seems to go on making informed decisions on treatment options rather than on what you really enjoy. So I spent a lot more time last year learning about the lymphatic system and tumour ingress measurements than on things like the latest/greatest shocks (if 42mm was the thing in 2012, what was last year?) and ways of cooling a supercharger (seriously Ben, gold nuts!).
The time also made me focus far more on my direct family, which if the year had a positive that was it. However, understandable as it may be, I neglected my Lotus family. In fact I think I neglected my Lotus after it’s JSR TLC treatment the previous year.
But now, with a clean bill of health (yay!), it’s time to get out of the rut I’ve got in to and get back on with my life. So! Last weekend I checked I could (post-op) comfortably wear my harness again, wiped down the stale interior, warmed it up for half an hour or so and really enjoyed heading off on my first run for many many weeks. On sunny dry roads (and with a game of rugby to enjoy on my return) I had a big smile on my face. Then…then I truly became a Lotus owner again. Yes, you guessed it, it broke.
It hadn’t been so long that I had become unaware that white smoke billowing from the rear wheel is a bad thing. A few cursory checks as to why (swerve a bit, brake, squirt of juice, etc) and I pulled over. It was ‘bleeding’, see below (and yes, I know, the paint work ‘measles’ isn’t pretty either)…
I had only got a mile from home.
As the gauges told me I had some oil pressure left (about the same amount there usually is at tickover) I elected to try and get it back on v.low revs, which I believe I managed without damage to the engine. All that I am hoping has happened is that the filter/seal has corroded (you see, it’s been a tad damp round my way lately) and given way and essentially forced an oil change service on me, albeit a messy one. I’ll learn that shortly.
Until it’s fixed I shall endeavour to undertake the standard ‘winter’ Lotus ownership regime of reading the board.
I’m not after sympathy (well, perhaps for the bloody car’s behaviour; bad car!), just an explanation of my absence and (hopefully 
) welcoming back in to the fold.
So, what’s been going on? I can then have more informed conversations at Anglesey!
Cheers, Ian 
True though I do indeed now own an S1, S2 & S4 
) and wows (is that a full-house jonny?!).
