So far so good

Given the state of the roads in the UK linked to the climate that means we are having increased flash floods, more snow and ever deteriorating dirt track it seems sensible to have a 4x4, hence Miranda. Vic has been languishing in the turning space surrounded by tyres and the corpse of Hazel the almost 4x4 while we decided what to do with him after his last rebuild of suspension units and wheel bearings. Nostalgia kicked in and we remembered our favourite ever vehicle, Rene the Rx4, a true road warrior and multipurpose people carrier pig transporter and feed wagon. If only we had another Rx4 instead of Vic who is more suited to motorways and townscapes than our way of life.

And so we find Renata, Rene's half sister who was offered for sale on good old ebay. Now I cannot blame alcohol or any substance misuse that prompted a bid, perhaps it was the vain hope that I would get a car with a years MOT for less than the cost of a bicycle, but bid I did. For some inexplicable reason, and there were other bidders, my bid won which was why my beautiful and oh so patient wife drove me to the heart of west Wales land to collect our new old car. She did misbehave a bit on the way home, Renata not MBAOSPW, misfiring on hills, and there were a lot of them, but for the last 25 mile she was brilliant so perhaps it was mucky fuel as she had been standing for a few months, that or my lazy driving caused by diesel engine driving and infrequent gear changing. Once I remembered a petrol engine needs higher revs and more gearbox use Renata seemed much better. Her engine was still inside the bonnet this morning and she started again so so far so good and perhaps we have a bargain and not another mobile animal shelter.

After our epic drive and petrol head adventure the day got more exciting when Beth and I went to see Lee Nelson. Not every ones cup of tea but he was QuaLeeTee!