And I'm enjoying the pleasant sunny evening before the rain comes tomorrow. Been away from the blog a while. Can't even remember the last time I posted. So what's been going on since whenever that was?
Well, we went to Scotland, something which is always good. On this occasion we were on a mission to procure a car. After seeing the crazy prices available when we were home at Christmas, we decided to take the plunge before the exchange rate had time to turn against us. We didn't end up with the one I've been lusting after, as they'd all gone (some lucky sod got there before us). But they were selling new ones for only 14.5k!! Alas, that was 4.5k over budget and a new car wasn't really the best option for us as the French government would try to fleece us for VAT upon importing it to France (thieving sh!ts). We even ended up with a diesel one even though I'd sworn against them! But it isn't silver. In fact it is red, so that will meet with Super nephew's exacting standards*.
As well as buying a car, we managed a visit to the Ancients, visits with the Weegies, M&M, Willie and Jane. I didn't (yes, did not) buy any books. In fact I didn't even set foot in Waterstone's. But I did buy a handbag (60% off!) and get my hair done. But I didn't spend any money in the John Lewis kitchenware department. Doggy was a bad 'un and wouldn't go for a walk with her Grandad, she wanted to come and look at cars with us!
What I learned on this trip home:
- used cars no longer come with a tax disc. The thievin' dealers cash them in, and you have to buy a new one!
- you need a UK insurance cover note to buy a tax disc
- temporary cover insurance is expensive but handy
- Super niece is a little imp
- Super nephew is obsessed with my Mum's car. Which happens to be red. *"Want to get in the red car"
- Super nephew and Super niece are ace
- 2-way radios help pass the time on the 550 mile journey down the A1-A14-M11-M25-M20-Channel-A16-A25
- 2-way radios also mean you can play at Top Gear
- having to drive all by yourself means you don't blub anywhere near as much after saying goodbye to parents, as you must concentrate
- French roads and motorways are shit. I knew this already, but driving back in the UK reminds me. They badly need cat's eyes
- French drivers are shit too. I never have to shout and get annoyed when we're at home. I have to shout and get annoyed all the time here
- the small car doesn't have a 65 litre endurance tank. So I can be away from the petrol station ages before Hubby
- our house is on Street View! As is my car, and my Mum's car
- my brother's house is also on Street View. My Dad's car is at their house
- my parents are omnipresent
And that's about all I have to say about that.
5 comments:
Ooh don't get me started on French drivers. The way that they don't know how to indicate or the way when you are trying to join the motorway and they refuse to change lanes and allow you in even though there is plenty of room on the other lanes. Selfish batards!!!
French can't drive, agreed. The learning system is weird as well, since you pay for lesson before you take your license, but all in all have little experience driving.
Cars are so cheap these days in North America, it's basically buy one get one free. No kidding.
What the hell is a tax disc? Mine is what I get when I've been sitting at the table too long trying to figure mine out ... *rubs back*
And, two-way radios? Don't you have push-to-talk over there?
/waves
Hey sugar, arrhhh the indicating. Or lack of. Grrr.
Zhu I agree I think novice drivers need more hours behind the wheel. In the UK too most young drivers just don't have enough general driving experience. Buy one get one free! They did that at the Volvo dealer here, but you had to buy an XC90 SUV, and the free car was a minuscule Ford Ka (super-mini).
Hey Ghosty. A tax disc is your "vehicle excise duty". It's the UK government's sneaky way of taxing car owners. You have to pay vehicle tax to drive on the public road.
As for push to talk, of course we have that. But using your mobile phone whilst driving is illegal. Hence the talkies.
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