Today I mostly .....

[RobbyD]

tried to find someone who will drive me the 2 hours to go check ou the 88 niva i have found, but no luck yet, may need to put in for some leave, plus i have all the denationalizing import export shat to deal with, it'll be around 150 eu in fees and a couple weeks of paperwork and appointments,

[Neil Chowney]

Needs must, my 80 year old father in law, whos had to give up drving due to popular demand, was not too keen on being covered in lard so we could fold him in half and post him into the rear seats on the Niva...........

We could just about do this but his mobility scooter was proving a spacial challenge too far.......

I know im going straight to hell for this deviant behavior but at least im keeping some brummies enployed..

[excossack]

Started Xmas shopping - well got the wifes present.
Replaced the battery my Vernier Calliper - the digital digits had escaped

[Zelandeth]

Handed in my keys and ID card at work. Feels really, really strange to walk out the door for the last time after seven and a half years.

Last week has been a completely mad scramble to try to write handover notes for the poor soul who gets recruited to do my job! I was determined not to leave them as clueless as I was when I started (I got about 20 minutes introduction and was then left to my own devices). This has resulted in a 118 page, fully indexed manual with a 53 page attached guide on how to use the mapping system, and five pages of useful contacts. Fingers crossed it's of some use to them.

This evening I mostly...Started packing for the house move on Sunday. Tomorrow is packing and transferring stuff into the van, then Sunday we actually make the move. Crossing my fingers for an uneventful drive!

[excossack]

Zel, Good luck with the move (going far?) and good luck with what ever you choose to do next. Bus driving, lighting consultant?

[excossack]

Did some prep work ready for the spark tomorrow. CAT5 cable installed under floor boards ready to have the ends connected.
Now sitting back with a beer and watching the snooker final.

[Zelandeth]

Today I mostly...

Started getting set up in the new house. Mostly shuffling boxes around to roughly where their contents will live. This evening attention turned to rebuilding my workstation. Aside from the sub and ancillary components of the audio/video system (tape, 8-track, VHS and DVR) it's all up and running now.

Saab as expected didn't miss a beat between Aberdeen and Oxford, and really felt the whole trip like it was doing what it had been designed for. Haven't ever arrived at the end of a 9 hour trip feeling that fresh before!

As far as what happens next, currently uncertain as a decision has yet to be firmly made. For the next couple of months however I'm going to be effectively being the housekeeper and taking the opportunity to finish some unfinished projects and hopefully recover from the perpetual state of near burnout I've been living in for the last few years.

Now...Where did that box get to?

[GvidoR]

Oops. New car.

[Zelandeth]

Another one? Steady on, you're going through them nearly as fast as I used to!

[GvidoR]

Why, what's so bad about it?

Another one? Steady on, you're going through them nearly as fast as I used to!

Ha!

[GvidoR]

I am speechless.

[GvidoR]

I believe that people in the car community should be fairly open minded. For example, I could go to a different forum and say that I bought a Lada and I am pretty sure that there will be someone who will make just as many points about a Niva or whatnot as Mr. GB did. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying Astra is the best car in the world or something, but given my budget and current insurance price this is where I have landed. If I had 3-5 thousand to spend on car, would I go for an Astra? Hell, no.

On the other hand it really isn't that bad. It's not the worst looking car. Take a look at a Fiat Multipla or a Nissan Micra or something. It performs okay for a 1.4 litre engine. Better than the 1.4 Xsara I had and definitely better than the 1.7 turbo diesel that was in the BMW. I would have probably kept the BMW if my insurance wasn't so damn high. Also, I much prefer a petrol engine, or whatever it is that the people at Vauxhall decided to put into the Astra.

[Hoodoo]

My daughter used to have a 1.4 Astra some years ago, and I used to occasionally drive it. I was always impressed with what a nippy motor is was. Went well and was comfortable as well. What I was always thinking was, if that's a 1.4, what the devil is the 2.0 GTE like to drive?
It was definitely a better driving car than the Capris, Granadas, Cortinas, Hunters of my youth!!!
Regards,

[Hoodoo]

I'd still like to get hold of a proper Holbay Hunter though!
Regards,

[excossack]

Last night went out for a xmas meal with a few from work (well 8 of us). Started off at the pub, had a pint, went to the local Greek and had the banquet (Starter: Salad, dips, Olives, breads. Followed by a fish course: Prawns, Squid, Whitebait, Scampi, Meat course: Pork kebabs, Lamb, Beef in red wine, Final course, coffee & mince pie and a shot glass of Ouzo.
A bit of belly dancing (not by me!!)

Then back to pub. Sat outside enjoying a pint with the lads. All of use sitting around in short sleeve shirts/T-Shirts....In December....how odd!