Days to go: 224
After a short break I have now started to progress work on the car. Yesterday she sailed through the MoT with 3 advisories; a leak from the steering box seal (quelle surprise 
), worn brake pads (these were planned for replacement anyway) and a slight leak from the transmission oil pipes (these requires further investigation).
Today I committed, what to some would be seen as, the ultimate sin. In order to fit the rooftent I had to remove the 'railings' around the roofrack. The safety devices roofrack is no longer in production and is highly sought after secondhand (some change hands for nearly new prices). To cut it would seem detrimental, but I removed the rail in such a way that it can be re-welded at a later date should the need arise.
I bought it as a factory second in 2002 and modified it to fit (it was designed for the series 2 disco). It has done sterling service in the intervening years carrying numerous canoes, kayaks, bikes and other loads so I felt that it owed me nothing and after all it's just a roofrack.
It does look a bit odd now that the rear section has been removed but this will not be so obvious when the tent is fitted. Thinking about it now I should have removed the entire rail as this would have gained me some more space up front. Still I shan't change it now.
I intend to chequer plate the front 'lower deck' and mount the wheel carrier from Alan's rear door (he has acquired a swingaway carrier) on it so that the 2nd spare is bolted down rather than strapped. I shall also mount a water proof box alongside the wheel to store my recovery equipment (keeping it on the outside is a good idea in case you are so stuck, you can't open the doors). At the moment I am considering one of these as it seems quite robust, will take a padlock and is watertight.
Tomorrow I hope to fit the fitting and get the rooftent mounted on the rack.
