Cars :-
Well the Mitsibushi Carisma started to play up resulting in scrapping it as part of a deal to purchase a Seat Leon - which I got in early September. Actually not that many for sale at any one time in Scotland and the previous weekend Ping and I went to Glasgow to look at a Cupra - expensive (over budget) and a little tatty looking befor seeing this one.
 |
| From New Car - 11th Sept 2010 |
Travel :-
England
Shortly after getting the above I drove with Dad down to England - driving firstly to Hinckley on the 14th September - after an early start and straight into cutting the jungle - sorry grass - well actually over the next days it had 3 cuts before it was acceptable ..
On the Wednesday 15th we went to Auntie Marjories - and very soon after arriving I received a call from the Estate agents saying someone making an offer. Low number so after quite a lot of thought rejected it - much against almost everyone elses advice. Stayed for a few hours in Mansfield and then returned to Hinckley. More grass cutting and dinner down at The Baron of Hinckley. (as we had on the Tuesday night when we forgot about the meal and wine offer)
Thursday - giving Dad a lift to Coventry Bus Station for about 11am - using my phones GPS - worked well - though this had consequences later. After dropping Dad off - I think I returned to Hinckley then saw estate agents re renting- and then definitely drove to Braham`s. I was aiming as requested for about 6.30pm so left at about 4.45 - thought there would be no problems - Oh how wrong I can be!! - drove down M1 and expected to easily see signs for Borehamwood near A1 - wrong - ended up in the dark in Finchley and 1 day early in Hendon. Phone GPS - no - battery run out! - eventually arrived about 7.30 or even a little later. Short chat then Braham and I went out for a pint a curry and more beer - excellent. Brahams curry was ferociously hot. A lovely evening.
Friday - up fairly early - as kids up - both so clever - breakfast and chat before deprting for Hendon. Arrived really easily and had to wait a few minutes till Xijuan arrived. She had been in Manchester for a symposium I think. Chat and then drove down to the big Chinese supermarket where she bought loads for the evening. Soon after returning to house out again to meet Mary - and Tony near the station. Then in the evening had a Korean hot pot - subtley different from Chinese ones - less sauce but really nice. Stuffed afterwards - the talk was good and the wine was flowing. Mary said something very nice to me about which I was moved.
Saturday morning - as I had arranged for an open day at the house I left quite early and returned to Hinckley - frantic tidying - strimmed edges - neighbour lent me a strimmer - and borrowed a hoe from Pam to de-weed and weedkill the plants between the slabs. Purchased a Times and sat down to wait. No action for a few hours then 2 couples visited at once - one of whom seemed very interested - so much so that she came back with someone else later on in the afternoon to look again. Estate agents interested in how it went and I thought well. It transpired that the other couple whom I had really just left to look around were also very interested and they put in a bid on the subsequent Monday.
I alos had two letting agents come round to value the house for letting should selling fail - they both seemed keen to get the property to market and indicated a monthly rental which was good. (So good in fact that Ping doesn`t think I should sell at all) After all this activity it was time for a quick shower and thenpicked up by Neil and Karen to go to The Concordia Theatre along with Ian, Pete, et al to see Mercury an absolutely superb Queen Tribute band. I really really enjoyed it and afterwards Neil and I went to the trendy pub? on the corner just down from the theatre and had a few drinks - a perfect evening / day/ week.
Sunday - returned to Stirling
4th October - Ping sat exam - unhappy.
I shall miss out a couple of weeks and jump now to the weekend before last Friday 15th to Sunday 17th October.
Friday morning we drove to Kinlochleven - found our microlodge accomodation (Hobbit) at Blackwater Hostel - went for a wander before purchasing a map - which I am sure we should have borrowed from Susan - and then we walked to Blackwater resevoir - quite a long way and when we got there it was raining and I was getting knackered. Returning - much faster - but a lot in the dark and got back to the accom - had some food and so tired couldn`t drink more!! - slept very well.
Saturday - as planned walked to Fort William via The West Highland Way - only 15 miles - but I was virtually crippled on arrival at about 6pm. (Mainly joggers nipple but not that location!!) Had a bite to eat at one of the few pubs not too far from the station prior to getting the bus back at 8pm. Weather could not have been better and really enjoyed it.
On the Sunday we just walked to the very close Grey Mare`s Tail in Kinlochleven before driving to Oban - for a seafood lunch before driving home.
