![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
caddymanOf course, the other thing that’s happened recently, is that the proprietors of the Gin Palance (i.e. Furtle and Me) are now the proud owners of a car. More accurately, Furtle has inherited her Grandpa’s car, which he has given up driving on account of his age. He is in his early 90s, or thereabouts and has been persuaded by the family that he ought not be driving and those who live locally can take him where he needs to go.
So: a car! For free – though we did buy him a book to express our appreciation.
The car itself is a 1999 Toyota Corolla automatic. In all its 16 years,, it has done a little over 37,000 miles. Apart from the odd mile or two here and there, to take Furtle’s Grandma to get her hair done, it’s just sat on the car park. The salt air (they live on the coast) has done a little to set it back, but by and large, it’s in top notch condition.
This means, of course, JAUNTS!
Already we have taken it out to deepest Essex, to the RHS Beth Chatto Gardens near Colchester, and we plan to go to RHS Hyde Hall nearer Chelmsford (possibly this weekend coming) and we have been along to visit the in-laws. Having lived in London for a little over 30 years, I have got used to not needing a car and to be honest, we don’t need one now, but it does open the door for (particularly) local and localish trips at weekends and such. Plus: going to the supermarket and/or Homebase or B&Q and not having to worry about getting stuff home on the bus.
On the downside, the drivers around here are mad bastards.
Now all I need to do is update my driving license. It’s so out of date that I haven’t lived at the address on it since 1989 and there is no hint of a photocard. I guess I ought to take a refresher lesson or two, as well. I haven’t sat behind the wheel of a car – and never an automatic – for around 25 years…
So: a car! For free – though we did buy him a book to express our appreciation.
The car itself is a 1999 Toyota Corolla automatic. In all its 16 years,, it has done a little over 37,000 miles. Apart from the odd mile or two here and there, to take Furtle’s Grandma to get her hair done, it’s just sat on the car park. The salt air (they live on the coast) has done a little to set it back, but by and large, it’s in top notch condition.
This means, of course, JAUNTS!
Already we have taken it out to deepest Essex, to the RHS Beth Chatto Gardens near Colchester, and we plan to go to RHS Hyde Hall nearer Chelmsford (possibly this weekend coming) and we have been along to visit the in-laws. Having lived in London for a little over 30 years, I have got used to not needing a car and to be honest, we don’t need one now, but it does open the door for (particularly) local and localish trips at weekends and such. Plus: going to the supermarket and/or Homebase or B&Q and not having to worry about getting stuff home on the bus.
On the downside, the drivers around here are mad bastards.
Now all I need to do is update my driving license. It’s so out of date that I haven’t lived at the address on it since 1989 and there is no hint of a photocard. I guess I ought to take a refresher lesson or two, as well. I haven’t sat behind the wheel of a car – and never an automatic – for around 25 years…
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2015-04-14 03:26 am (UTC)Main thing I found with an automatic was my left arm instinctively used to want to change gear.
(no subject)
Date: 2015-04-15 07:10 am (UTC)