First up, huge thank you to everyone that came to the Easter Egg run today. Was great to see all you guys and for all the kind donations of (too many!) easter eggs and other bits and bobs… I think next time, we need more toys though So thank you to, in no particular order, lottie, her parents, Danielh, Mr. Induction, Big_Bad_Ian, RoyalVXR, jiraffe and astra_life… plus the other couple of tag alongs.

And another big, big thank you to lottie for all her efforts organising this day. A lot of effort went into organising it and making it run as smoothly as possible… and I’ve got to say, so with so much to go wrong, not a single thing did… other than Maidstone Hospital had no children in the ward, but luckily we were told this before we set off down there! So thank you lottie for organising this day I was thinking as you handed Dan & Alistair (did I get his name right?) their certificates for being the Easter Bunny, I was thinking we should’ve made you one for organising such a great day… In fact, you’re getting one tomorrow at Lydden Hill

And another big thanks to Danielh and Alastair (did I get his name right again?) for doing the job of easter bunny. You guys did a great job

Now, I didn’t get as many photos as I thought I had got. Thought I got loads more, but I got enough anyway Lottie’s dad got loads and probably better ones, so hopefully we’ll see those soon

So for those who want all the juicy details..

Early start, Ian was supposed to be at mine for 7:30, to which I get a text message at 6:45. “No rush, but I’m out side when you’re ready” Talk about early! Headed off to Lakeside for some brekkie… All good as nobody appeared to get lost at the start of the day, although astra_life did an Ian with the Dartford crossing I hear

All the donations of easter eggs! Thanks to Morrisons Maidstone, Tesco Larkfield, a couple of people I work with, plus everyone elses kind friends, family and colleagues that made these generous donations!

Anyone fancy some chocolate?

Trip to Basildon went pretty smoothly… except the entering the car park where the car park entrance looked quite wide, so went to give myself a bit of space on the drivers side to avoid hitting the kerb, and smacked my passenger side alloy straight into the kerb And it’s not a small curb mark either… Goes about 1/3 of the way round the wheel So that’s going back in for another refurb on my next pay day

Met a nice lady from the Basildon Echo newspaper when we’d all parked up, who then got us all together for some photos… We also hid Danielh’s car under a mass of easter eggs for her

Meanwhile… the easter bunny (Danielh) got dressed

We were then escorted over to the children’s ward by a very kind lady who worked with the hospital charities. We split into two groups to cover the ward, where Ian made friends with quite a young baby who couldn’t get enough of the easter chick hand puppet. We felt it right we should leave him there and he become another member of the staff team in that ward, but unfortunately we weren’t allowed Handed out eggs to all the little kiddies, their parents and the staff as well. We also handed out a few toys and things like puzzle books and clouring-in books. Unfortunately we gave all these out so had none left for the other hospitals! When we left, I think it’s safe to say we were all feeling pretty happy. It was such a shame to see the kids stuck in the hospital, but it was definitely a feel good feeling knowing that we’d done something to help brighten their day

After leaving Basildon hospital, we went the scenic route to Darrent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent. I quote myself to Ian as we came off the M25… “Where the bloody hell is Lottie taking us?”

Didn’t get any more pictures here… but after a wander around the hospital to the Children’s ward, we didn’t actually seem very expected. Nobody really knew where to start, but eventually we got a wander around handing out some eggs, when we were then unexpectedly met by a photographer for the Dartford Kent Messenger newspaper. We knew we were meeting them, just didn’t realise they were coming to Darrent Valley At one point we had a comment from astra_life, “So the easter bunny is off to lay more eggs”, which we never let him forget for the rest of the day So we had some photos taken as a group and a couple of us together with some of the kids. After leaving the all the kids with eggs, and again some more with the staff, we all left feeling pretty happy again… although the odd mention of “when’s lunch.” We then parted with Dan (a.k.a Mr. Induction) who had to get home to the little one.

So a nice drive down to Pembury for a stop off at KFC for lunch.. we were then joined by an unusually happy jiraffe. Took a drive up to Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury, where we managed to lose astra_life, somehow… not that it was particularly difficult to find or get to.. up one road, over the signposted roundabout and look out for an arden blue Vectra

While here, we were then greeted by another newspaper photographer from the Maidstone Kent Messenger (I think). Took a few photos of us outside the hospital with the eggs, and also a few of the easter bunny with a few kids. A few guys then had a wander around the ward handing out the eggs. I’m not sure exactly how this went as there were only a handful of kiddies at Pembury and we could only send a few people in, so most of us hung around in the waiting area where lottie then decided to have a play with the childrens toys

Unfortunately, while were at Pembury, we were informed that Maidstone hospital didn’t actually have any kiddies in their wards today, as they like to try and send them home as soon as they’re fit to go hom so they don’t have to spend time in hospital over Easter if they don’t have to… so Maidstone had managed to empty it out and it would just be A&E entrants which we wouldn’t be able to go and visit ourselves and there was no telling who would be in and when… So we gave Maidstone a miss, which in the end would’ve been a good shout anyway, as it was a good half hour away…

So that left us with well over a hundred eggs as we were well over donated! So we had a think and a chat and we popped up the road to Tonbridge Cottage Hospital, who weren’t expecting us at all. This hospital is a very small hospital with a stroke unit and another section for elderly people. We decided it’d be nice to go the other end of the scale, as it’s not only the kiddies who would like to see the easter bunny and get a small gift of a little chocolate. They were definitely pleased to see the easter bunny (now replaced by Alastair, rather than Danielh)

For our final stop, we drove up to the Sunrise car home in Sevenoaks for yet another visit from the easter bunny. They were also very happy to see the easter bunny and receive their gifts. We didn’t have a chance to hand out too many eggs here due to their rules of things like dinner before they can have some chocolate, and some of the residents conditions (such as dementia) meant that probably wouldn’t understand why they couldn’t have it there and then… so we left the remainder of the big eggs with the staff to hand out over the next few days

After that, a well deserved trip to the pub for a drink and then off to 7Diner for relax with a nice American style burger

So all in all, a fantastic day. Once again, thank you to everyone that made today happen and it really does feel good to have done something good in the community today :thumbs: I hope we can do things like this again in the future.

But enough of this… pics is what we’re here for, so pics is what I shall give you

And there was a slight moment where I was quite worried for my safety…

“Oooh look, I have a poo bag… and a latex glove… Come here, are you ready for your examination Mr. Oldfielddddd?”

No. No Ian. No I’m not.

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

So, wth the Eonon stereo having iPod support, I dug out the box and whipped out the iPod cable, pulled the stereo out and with the assistance of the AON lot telling me what to do, pulled apart the steering wheel cowling and all the light switch area and ran the cable up to the dock

Pics

And just as I was typing this out, the bloody alarm went off I hope it’s not because of something I’ve done that it decided to go off I did notice I’d left two interior lights on though, maybe it didn’t like them

With the Eonon headunits, it is quite easy to do, but it is in no way obvious where to go! So I’ve created this video to show you exactly how it’s done!

Simply go to the SRC menu, then tap “SETUP” in the top left corner.

Once here, tap “INFO” on the bottom row.

Now tap the second icon, “HELP”

This displays a screen that represents the standard stereo buttons. Tap “SET” to enter the Settings menu. It should come up “System”. Tap “OK” to enter the System menu. Keep tapping “OK” to scroll through the options and use the arrows to change the setting. Once finished, just tap “SET”!

This works on the Eonon D5103, D5107 and D5108 head units. While this is shown, tried and tested in a Vauxhall Astra, this may apply to other cars as well. The head units fit in the Astra H, Zafira B, Corsa D, Vectra C and a few other models, so it may or may not work for these as well.

I then went out this evening, and it snowed… So here it is on the way home…

A few days ago, I was going down a country lane and someone came up the other way… Pulled into a driveway entrance to let them past and as I dropped back down, I heard a clonk noise. My first thought was that it was the suspension knocking after quite a drop as the curb was quite high just after the driveway. Checked it at the first opportunity, couldn’t see anything so dismissed it as a suspension knock.

Cleaned the car this afternoon and found that I’ve put a crack in the side skirt just underneath the passenger door So will need to look into getting that repaired later You start trying to fix all the issues and just make more. I was thinking “Yes! Got the wheels done finally! Just the bumper left now!”… now it’s “Bugger, got to get the bumper AND side skirt sorted now…”

Oh well, shit happens I suppose

But anyway… took a half day from work today, which felt great, leaving at 12pm Drove home, braved the -1°C and gave the car a quick wipe down… which quickly turned to ice while I was doing it

Moved the car to a non-icy patch of the driveway and started swapping the wheels back over

Wheels now all fitted and looking epic

Once I’d done that, engine covers were swapped over Nothing special but much tidier…

I then set about fitting the carbon fibre B-pillar surrounds… I spent quite a while, shouting, swearing and eventually I gave up and they’re now in the bin. They looked quite a good fit to start with, but once I’d taken the backing off and started to line them up properly, I found that they either didn’t quite meet the top or bottom where they were supposed to… they didn’t wrap neatly around the back of the door… and they didn’t quite line up properly either. When you got it lined up properly against the side of the window, they were straight at the top or bottom… so when you then straightened the top and bottom, the sides weren’t lining up and they were hanging off the edge of the door…

After a bit of trimming, more shouting, more swearing, I just gave up, ripped them off and chucked them in the bin

Oh well, they were only a few quid so no major loss… Might ask SMGraphix if they can do a decent set later

But back to the wheels… I wanted to go out and get some decent photos while it was still light, but then Mike called me and we got chatting for about 10-15 minutes… and by the time I got out, it was nearly dark already

But I tried anyway and got some photos in the dark… Will get some in the light tomorrow morning if I have a chance

The mother doesn’t like them.
The father thinks they’re alright.
I love ‘em, so sod what they think

Well happy

So they’re ready to go on the car which I plan to do tomorrow afternoon…

Just spent the last hour in the “really warm” garage stroking my wheels I put one up against the car to get an idea how they’ll look…

After I took that, I gave the wheels a quick wipe down with some mild shampoo, rinsed with clean water and wiped down with a microfibre drying towel… then wheeled them back into the garage… spent a while then applying a coat of Chemical Guys Wheel Guard to each wheel, inside and out

And here they are, cluttering up the limited garage space, all sparkly shiny

I then added the Opel dust caps to finish them off

And I’m now tucking into this well deserved doughnut

I’ll start smallest first. Big thanks to pepsimax10 from AON for the new engine cover

Next up, thanks to mantacrazy on eBay. Ordered the carbon fibre pre-cut vinyl for the B-pillars which also came today At first glance out of the tube, they look pretty decent. They’re actually darker than I expected, but I quite like them this dark, think it’ll look quite good on the car Sorry for the bad picture on a dark brown desk though

But by far the most exciting one…

So I took my wheels into Lepsons on Saturday morning, dropped them off at 9am. The bloke said they’ll be around 5 working days assuming there are no problems like buckles or anything… He said if I don’t hear from them, call them to see how they’re getting on… so I said I’d pick them up on Saturday, but was contemplating taking a half day on Friday so I could go pick them up early if they were ready… so with that in mind, just as I finished work today, I call them up to see if they reckon they’ll be ready by Friday afternoon.

“Oh yes, the 5 spoke GM Astra ones?”
“Yes, they’re the ones”
“The gloss black ones?”
“Yes, that’s right”
“Oh yes, we finished those and invoiced them yesterday. We’ve just been busy today so haven’t had time to call you”
“Wait, what? They’re already done?”
“Yes, they’re here waiting. We’re open until 6 today”
“Right, I’ll see you in an hour or so”

I’m still unconvinced that these are the same wheels I left with them on Saturday morning, as the finish on them is absolutely epic. I really wish now I got some up-close before pictures, as they really were mashed. HERC even said I should be ashamed by them at the Brighton meet… but they’re now absolutely pristine!

So tomorrow nights job is to give them a quick wipe down, then give them a coat or two of CG Wheel Guard… then they’ll be fitted to the car on Saturday morning… or Friday evening if I’m that impatient. Can’t wait to get these on the car

So huuuuuuuuuuuuuuge thanks to Lepsons in Gillingham, Kent. I would highly recommend their work to anyone in the south east looking for a wheel refurb

Huge thanks to Big_Bad_Ian from AON e’s kindly lent me his super pimpin’ 16″ SXi wheels while I send my 18″ Pentas in for their refurb finally… so the pentas are now off the car, these ones are on, and Saturday morning, they’re going into Lepsons in Gillingham. Gloss black, and getting the Opel centre caps done gloss black to match Should be about a week, so hopefully next Saturday, should be looking at some shiny shiny black pentas

And the girlfriend went all Irish on me earlier about these wheels… “Ooh, they’re just like the ones I’m getting on my Corsa… but they don’t look like them” This is bearing in mind she’s supposed to be getting 17″ pentas