Need air!

Family business attended to (Mum's out of hospital), I must head south. But not before a quick visit to Ikea in Leeds for some shelf brackets, oh and another half dozen conversations with talkative Yorkshiremen who seem to live life a little more slowly than I'm used to and will chat about the Jaguar for ages.

The ventilation has packed up and it's still hot and sunny. I fix the vacuum-driven vent flap in the Ikea car park and make a mental note to throw some Swarfega in the boot with the water and old towels.

The M621 swings past the football ground at Elland Road and it almost feels like a relief to see that it's still there. After the drama and crises of last season it felt like Leeds United had been obliterated rather than merely relegated. Make a mental note that Ikea is just two minutes from the stadium. Women can happily while away the duration of a game in Ikea, can't they?

It's been a 350-mile weekend and the Jaguar has performed beautifully.

Soul food

I've always had a thing about the longest day, and try to do something special.

Put two hours of Emap-related work in before leaving Barton-le-Street at 11am. Warm and sunny. I recently bought the boxed set of Steely Dan's best-known tunes and I've saved that for today too.

First stop, Huttons Ambo and the 'swing bridge' my dad took me to when I was small. The footbridge over the River Derwent is little more than steel cable and railway sleepers and swings dramatically when you cross.

Next, Kirkham Priory. My mum was born in one of the railway cottages and I used to swim in the river and totter across the fast-flowing weir as a kid. Really beautiful.

Then I headed up through Westow and Leavening and on to Thixendale. I was surprised how many memories were associated with old-girlfriends. It's a mark of my age that I'm only now appreciating the drive through this scenery for the uplifting experience that it truly is. Back in my teens I was obviously too randy to notice. Was that all I used to do?

No. I used to ride motorcycles around Burdale Quarry. After hiking to the mouth of the old abandoned railway tunnel, I climbed up into the quarry itself. It's 25 years since I used to ride a 250cc Ossa around that quarry, but I remembered every climb, jump, turn and dip as if it was yesterday.

My route of reminiscence took me to Fridaythorpe, Millington, Huggate, North Dalton and Middleton-on-the-Wolds. Shocking memories of a mis-spent youth bring a smile at every turn. This kind of trip is really good for the soul.

Heading north

Briefest of Father's Day exchanges with the girls before I hit the road.

Beautifully smooth, uneventful journey from Peterborough to Barton-le-Street listening to the CD given away free with this month's Word magazine.

Daughter to the rescue!

The bad thing about riding a motorcycle much of the time is that your Jaguar starts to sulk because it's being ignored. Only started on four cylinders this morning and sounds like a bag of nails. I have a long journey to Yorkshire tomorrow, so must check everything over.

Oil level is just below normal. Will top it up, but should try to change it before Goodwood next weekend. Squirted a few drops into the twin SU carburettor dashpots too.

Water needed a litre, but the seeping core plug seems to have sealed itself. Decided to replace the old top hose that went back on when the new one burst a few months ago. It is very badly cracked and perished.

Took the hose and the oil filler cap to Millfield Autos, the local Asian-run motor factor who seems to stock everything. They haven't got an exact match, but have a long hose with more twists than a Sixties High School dance. It costs £8 and will probably make two for the Jaguar.

The oil filler cap that leaks oil is sealed with a rubber gasket from a thermostat costing 50p.

Fitting all of the above on the driveway, I remembered that the bonnet had developed an irritating habit of popping open on the passenger side. It doesn't open right up, but the spigot pops out of its catch. After adjusting it right down I discovered to my horror that the bonnet release catch wouldn't release that side – I'd adjusted it too far. Daughter Charlotte came to the rescue by pulling the lever at exactly the right moment as I applied pressure. Phew. North Yorkshire here we come.

The price of comfort

The great thing about riding a hard-sprung sporty motorbike much of the time is that it makes driving your Jaguar feel like riding on air. You have to accept it's not that easy to overtake, though.

What is it with some drivers? Is the art of overtaking being lost? Some people will sit behind a slow vehicle forever. Now, I'd never advocate dangerous nor even high-risk passes, but some people just seem to switch off!

Anyway, needed to be smart for work today, so it's back to 14mpg just as I was starting to get used to 40.

Jaguar enthusiasts

Washed the Jaguar with the new range from Meguiar's, the NXT Generation wash, tyre cleaner and polymer polish. It's very, very good. The car hasn't looked this shiny for months.

Fabulous day out in the car at the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club's 20th birthday bash at Thoresby Hall, Nottinghamshire. Wonderful venue, wonderful day.

Started out at the York and District Region tent and chatted about their Castle Howard event in July. That'll give me a good excuse to go and see my mum. The York branch is quite new and they are keen to grow their membership. If you live in the York area and love Jaguars, John Darkin would like to hear from you: johndarkin@hotmail.com

I found an interior light lens at the first autojumble stall I stopped at – £1. I found a set of switches at the next one for a tenner and then had to stop to join Sir Stirling Moss, his lovely wife Suzi and my friends at Footman James for lunch.

Went back to the autojumble later to look at a lovely old Jaguar dealership sign. It had been sold and I was told the stallholder had let it go for £125. I thought it would have been more expensive than that, so regretted not asking earlier. I'm still not very good at this autojumble business!

Still, happy with my light lens and a nice set of photos for the magazine, I wandered back to the car and chatted to John, a reader from Ireland who knew my name, all about my car and said nice things about the magazines. Really nice guy.

Drove home in the warm sunshine listening to Steely Dan's Greatest Hits and then the top 40 on Radio One.

Mind your Manor

Went to the Louis Vuitton Classic at Waddesdon Manor and met up with Classic Cars managing editor Phil and his lady, Trish. Bumped into dozens of friends and ended up taking the photos for Phil. Enjoyed the day on the bike but the leathers got some looks. Strange, with so many men in pink.

Switch back

Used the car for work on Thursday when a friend left her car on our drive and blocked the garage door, imprisoning the motorbike.

Took the opportunity to clean up the contacts on the overdrive switch and insulate it all with vinyl tape. It works again.

Old car to the new cars

I went to the Motor Show at the NEC on the Triumph but called in to see Tim at XJ Services, Corby. He thinks he has most of the bits I need in stock but he was busy fixing an electrical problem on a XJ40 (rather him than me!), so I said I'd email him a list.