The R word

Hi mate where are you based? I know a mobile welder in Cardiff if you want his telephone number??
I have used him to do some of the tricky stuff on my car

Wayyyyyyy down south, Hants, but thank you Jon. Looks to be better / less than I had imagined so may try closer to home.

No problem, best of luck with the welding

That looks like a common rust spot. The front strut support is spot welded to the inner arch and water gets between the two. As with most rust what you see is only half of what is there. Technically not that difficult, but quite involved as the strut support really needs to come off to effectively get at the corroded metal you see. Given that it supports the front suspension any repairs need to done by a competent welder. Mine has started to go, but is a long way from needing mending, its been covered if waxoyl and I avoid the rain so hopefully I can avoid your problem.
The other picture would be of more concern as a blocked drain hole (each end of the front a rear screens - always worth a check to make sure they are clear of crud with an airline) can cause corrosion in areas of complicated construction. It looks as if there has been a previous repair, which may be hiding all manner of horrors underneath. The only way to be sure is remove the old repair when you are feeling in a particularly optimistic mood :silly:

My rear suspension tower (driver's side) is in a bad way. Engine out job. Even then it will be a major job. Sigh.

Hm, P1x have a photo.

You know you're not alone, we are all in the poop together Mickey

P1