Category: Poppy 1966 Series 2a 109″
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Blacksmith style jumpers
A simply-made d.i.y. set of heavy-duty jumper cables assembled from welding ground cables and clamps. Sturdy construction, highly flexible and wear-resistant, plenty of copper and a very strong bite for good connections. The negative clamps are differentiated by a coat of traditional tree-source urushi lacquer, normally used for Japanese sword scabbards. The two cables are…
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Three poles
A location once known as “four poles” now down to three. The last remnant of a bygone era––now a landmark and meeting point. Most things change, some for the better, some disappear altogether, and some things remain. Keep a proper perspective and cultivate good fruit that remains.
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Museum forge
One of the current projects at the Parksville Museum forge involves hand crafting knives from series rover leaf springs. Series spring steel has not changed spec since the first in 1948 and replacements today are even made with the same composition. The projects shown below are made from original 1965 series 2a steel by heating…
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At the museum
Poppy is currently earning her keep hauling blacksmithing tools to and from the Parksville Museum. Generally on Saturdays from spring to late summer the forge is open and running knifemaking demonstrations in conjunction with the artist-in-residence program as the weather permits, which means a couple hundred lbs of tools need to be carted to the…
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Secret drive
A lovely private drive winding in and out of the shadows of the forest on a sunny afternoon. A path beckons to one side, where might it lead? We are grateful for the invitations and opportunities as they come. Choose wisely, make the most of what is available, and steward it well.
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Downtown Qualicum Beach
A couple of edited snaps from a slightly rainy afternoon on the downtown streets outside a skateboard art gallery event opening. Qualicum Beach is home to one of Canada’s oldest and most infamous skateboard shops, Skull Skates, and the town is in the process of building a new skateboard park.
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Spring blossoms
A stop to enjoy the view and make a new friend on an island spring afternoon. The blue sky and fresh blossoms herald the new season. The winter has passed, the summer will come–until then, one day at a time.
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New leaf
Taking a few moments to enjoy a spring morning on the island after a long haul. The blue sky and green leaves and fresh blossoms hint at something just around the corner–a change is in the air. Moving forward one day at a time, enjoying the journey along the way.
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Moss carpet
One last moment to enjoy an island afternoon before a long haul. The contrasting colours of the green moss and the reddish brush as the light changes with the drifting clouds. Oh, for such an endless road of sturdy moss carpet to follow to adventure…
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Winter sea
Golden light shining under the clouds on a grey day by the seaside. Distant mist and hints of rain obscure the forest and mountains and they slide away into the distance. Waves crash steadily and a seabird wheels on the wind.
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Last snow
A couple of photos to commemorate the last (late!) snowfall of the year, making a comeback after it seemed long finished. Poppy is a 1966 series 2a 109″ Land Rover similar to one that was in the family several decades ago. The snow was quite wet and melted and slid off of the warm surfaces…
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Adjusting the bonnet catch
It is always nice to come across a piece of equipment that was designed with future adjustability in mind. Perhaps a little known fact is that the bonnet (hood) catch on a series rover can be adjusted to compensate for wear and change over the years. There is a nut above the spring that locks…
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Canvas Bonnet Strip
Series rovers originally had braided canvas cord filler strips along the front of the bonnet to cushion the closing or contact point and prevent unnecessary airflow or dust entry. At some point long ago this one had been replaced with a self-adhesive foam strip, which had subsequently degraded. Replacements in the original style are now…
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Removing the grille
Up to late 2a, series rovers had metal wire grilles in front of the radiator. A legendary use for these grilles was as an actual cooking surface in an emergency situation in a remote location. They may also need to be removed occasionally for cleaning, access to the bonnet catch, or steering mechanism. One way…
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Searchlight
A quick project to clean up an old tractor work light that was in one of the rear toolboxes. The inside was quite rusty and the ground poor but with a bit of work it functions again. There are some pin holes rusted through the body that need to be addressed at some point and…