Steve from England

Today has been basically fairly shite. I set it aside to mainly relax but also to catch up on the phone calls I have been putting off plus a few more to do with the car. It was all rather simple except that it wasn't. It was the best part of an hour once I sat at my desk before I could start anything as I was already on the phone to all and sundry and in no particular order. Once I finally had time to dial some numbers I was getting recorded messages saying they were too busy to answer the phone. Eventually I did get some results, I did manage to get the insurance sorted for the new car ready for collection. I also managed to speak to DLA and establish they got the 'Statement of Reasons' last week but it'll take up to 6 weeks for them to make a decision and that decision could be to appeal against it thus delaying it for many more months. Eventually I also got through to DVLA to find out I can't tax the car myself for the new owner but he has to do that himself. The

Today has been basically fairly shite. I set it aside to mainly relax but also to catch up on the phone calls I have been putting off plus a few more to do with the car. It was all rather simple except that it wasn't. It was the best part of an hour once I sat at my desk before I could start anything as I was already on the phone to all and sundry and in no particular order. Once I finally had time to dial some numbers I was getting recorded messages saying they were too busy to answer the phone. Eventually I did get some results, I did manage to get the insurance sorted for the new car ready for collection. I also managed to speak to DLA and establish they got the 'Statement of Reasons' last week but it'll take up to 6 weeks for them to make a decision and that decision could be to appeal against it thus delaying it for many more months. Eventually I also got through to DVLA to find out I can't tax the car myself for the new owner but he has to do that himself. The

Or, rather ... not! I put a deposit on the Megane earlier. I had to be realistic and appreciate that the Toyota was out of my reach for the age I wanted so I had to go for the best economy I could and that is the 1.6 Megane. It drives well, looks ... well, see picture below. Only problem and hence the title, no cruise control :-( I could possibly have it fitted but I am already at the limit of my spending on it so it won't be any time soon. On the plus side it seems mechanically totally OK. Full Renault service history and it is being appropriately serviced before I collect it. On that note, I have had to move the collection date back a little as I need to get the road tax sorted. I can only do that when I have the V5 (log book) and the Post Office is never going to be open over that weekend so it has to be the Monday 9th June. I am not sure that would help Nick out at all unless he had a couple of days off work and then, Steve would need to as well so it's probably a non start

Or, rather ... not! I put a deposit on the Megane earlier. I had to be realistic and appreciate that the Toyota was out of my reach for the age I wanted so I had to go for the best economy I could and that is the 1.6 Megane. It drives well, looks ... well, see picture below. Only problem and hence the title, no cruise control :-( I could possibly have it fitted but I am already at the limit of my spending on it so it won't be any time soon. On the plus side it seems mechanically totally OK. Full Renault service history and it is being appropriately serviced before I collect it. On that note, I have had to move the collection date back a little as I need to get the road tax sorted. I can only do that when I have the V5 (log book) and the Post Office is never going to be open over that weekend so it has to be the Monday 9th June. I am not sure that would help Nick out at all unless he had a couple of days off work and then, Steve would need to as well so it's probably a non start

I have decided that tomorrow I am going to have a look at the car to the right there. It is just within my budget and only just but I am hoping to get a discount on it. It is the right model and the right colour. Indeed, I have seen no other similar spec car anywhere advertised. There is one other in Kent but though it says it is the same level of trim it so clearly isn't. I plan on having a test drive tomorrow to see how it goes and, if I like it, put down a deposit. Didn't really have to do a lot today. Anne took over the cooking of the dinner which was amazing by the way. Jermaine popped over around 5pm though he seemed a little tired he was still quite happy and bubbly. Missing Daisy like hell, I guess I best get used to it. What is this 'Bebo' thing all about? I joined it some time ago, I don't even remember why now. In the last couple of days a few people have wanted me to add them to their friends list. One I am aware of but don't actually know. One I kno

I have decided that tomorrow I am going to have a look at the car to the right there. It is just within my budget and only just but I am hoping to get a discount on it. It is the right model and the right colour. Indeed, I have seen no other similar spec car anywhere advertised. There is one other in Kent but though it says it is the same level of trim it so clearly isn't. I plan on having a test drive tomorrow to see how it goes and, if I like it, put down a deposit. Didn't really have to do a lot today. Anne took over the cooking of the dinner which was amazing by the way. Jermaine popped over around 5pm though he seemed a little tired he was still quite happy and bubbly. Missing Daisy like hell, I guess I best get used to it. What is this 'Bebo' thing all about? I joined it some time ago, I don't even remember why now. In the last couple of days a few people have wanted me to add them to their friends list. One I am aware of but don't actually know. One I kno

When we got back from holiday we found out the cooker had stopped working. No oven so we were gutted as that meant loads of money to buy a new one. We have gotten kind of used to not using the main oven when, today, Deej flicks the wrong switch for the top oven and the bottom oven starts working! I don't care why, gift horses and all that. Today was also the day when I sold the Sebring (subject to collection). That means having the process of sourcing another car to go through. I've found a few candidates but am in no major hurry as it'll be a couple of weeks before I have the cash for our car. Strangely I seem to have started my own little auto export service. The Citroen went to Morocco and this one is heading for Valencia in Spain. Daisy has gone off with Paul to the Isle of Wight and I am kind of shitting bricks. That place doesn't have a good record with my family so I shall be glad when she is home safe and well. I want my diet to go quicker but I know that's

When we got back from holiday we found out the cooker had stopped working. No oven so we were gutted as that meant loads of money to buy a new one. We have gotten kind of used to not using the main oven when, today, Deej flicks the wrong switch for the top oven and the bottom oven starts working! I don't care why, gift horses and all that. Today was also the day when I sold the Sebring (subject to collection). That means having the process of sourcing another car to go through. I've found a few candidates but am in no major hurry as it'll be a couple of weeks before I have the cash for our car. Strangely I seem to have started my own little auto export service. The Citroen went to Morocco and this one is heading for Valencia in Spain. Daisy has gone off with Paul to the Isle of Wight and I am kind of shitting bricks. That place doesn't have a good record with my family so I shall be glad when she is home safe and well. I want my diet to go quicker but I know that's

Last week we were in Gran Canaria once again for the 2008 Maspalomas Pride. Obviously not at the Pride event again as that would require some form of time travel, merely at the location! I believe it is quite possible to overdo a holiday destination and this could well be what has happened with me and Gran Canaria. Nice as it is to start a holiday running it is also quite cool to have a degree of mystery about a holiday destination and that is just not there any more with the island. It seems that I didn't really have to think about going any where as I just knew where it was and how to get there. Even when I expected to get lost I discovered myself where I don't normally get first time! This time I did break from the normal haunts and revisited Las Palmas. Not quite sure where Tony went wrong in 2002 but this seemed reasonably sensible. Before long we had discovered the main shopping road and found somewhere to park. [Memo to us - use sun protection when driving in a convertib

Last week we were in Gran Canaria once again for the 2008 Maspalomas Pride. Obviously not at the Pride event again as that would require some form of time travel, merely at the location! I believe it is quite possible to overdo a holiday destination and this could well be what has happened with me and Gran Canaria. Nice as it is to start a holiday running it is also quite cool to have a degree of mystery about a holiday destination and that is just not there any more with the island. It seems that I didn't really have to think about going any where as I just knew where it was and how to get there. Even when I expected to get lost I discovered myself where I don't normally get first time! This time I did break from the normal haunts and revisited Las Palmas. Not quite sure where Tony went wrong in 2002 but this seemed reasonably sensible. Before long we had discovered the main shopping road and found somewhere to park. [Memo to us - use sun protection when driving in a convertib

First, thanks Cindy for writing. I can't be sure that the email address Marty gave me works as messages I tried to send to it bounced back. That German theme park I was trying to remember the name of was 'Heide Park'. Your English was understandable, a lot better than my Dutch!I am the same though, I have a fair knowledge of some other languages and used to be quite good at German but it took courage to actually try and speak it when I was there. It turned out I was rather good but that was because they let me off with a lot of mistakes! Right, today ... It's been a blur really. Matt & Anne have been here much of the day. Deej and I had to do some last minute purchasing and I cooked dinner. Jermaine visited early evening but whilst he was mostly happy it was clear that there was some irritation not far under the surface. At a guess it may have been because his carers today were treating him like a 2 year old! Nick popped around as well and then, after Jermaine left

First, thanks Cindy for writing. I can't be sure that the email address Marty gave me works as messages I tried to send to it bounced back. That German theme park I was trying to remember the name of was 'Heide Park'. Your English was understandable, a lot better than my Dutch!I am the same though, I have a fair knowledge of some other languages and used to be quite good at German but it took courage to actually try and speak it when I was there. It turned out I was rather good but that was because they let me off with a lot of mistakes! Right, today ... It's been a blur really. Matt & Anne have been here much of the day. Deej and I had to do some last minute purchasing and I cooked dinner. Jermaine visited early evening but whilst he was mostly happy it was clear that there was some irritation not far under the surface. At a guess it may have been because his carers today were treating him like a 2 year old! Nick popped around as well and then, after Jermaine left

Today is ... Wednesday (I just checked). OK, technically today is Thursday but that's just splitting hairs so don't go there. In theory we did nothing Monday and Tuesday, I am sure the reality was different though. Little things such as shopping came in to it, sorting things out over the phone, that sort of thing. Today (Wednesday - just go with me on that one) we went into London and finally met Marty and Cindy from Holland. I checked earlier (yes, have been doing a fair bit of 'checking') and I first had contact with Marty in September 1999 so a very long time indeed. It is strange really that he is one of the people I have known longer than most of those I now call friends. Probably all of us were slightly concerned about not recognising the other but as it turned out, we needn't have worried. Really, I don't think I was a lot of good as their guide. London isn't really something I know a great deal about when it comes to tourism.I have a basic geography

Today is ... Wednesday (I just checked). OK, technically today is Thursday but that's just splitting hairs so don't go there. In theory we did nothing Monday and Tuesday, I am sure the reality was different though. Little things such as shopping came in to it, sorting things out over the phone, that sort of thing. Today (Wednesday - just go with me on that one) we went into London and finally met Marty and Cindy from Holland. I checked earlier (yes, have been doing a fair bit of 'checking') and I first had contact with Marty in September 1999 so a very long time indeed. It is strange really that he is one of the people I have known longer than most of those I now call friends. Probably all of us were slightly concerned about not recognising the other but as it turned out, we needn't have worried. Really, I don't think I was a lot of good as their guide. London isn't really something I know a great deal about when it comes to tourism.I have a basic geography