twobears

I took my daughter shopping in Hull for her birthday presents this morning and we had a great time. Daughter got lots of clothes, we had lunch and then went back to the car. Came down the ramp and realised that I had a very flat tyre but had no choice to keep going, obviously. Parked on a pavement immediately outside car park and surveyed the damage (Evoque not Zedley who is now having a well-earned rest after being SORNED) which was pretty dire as I had driven over a sort of chunky metal pin which must have been somewhere on the car park floor, dropped presumably by another car park user, and the tyre was hanging off the rim. No spare tyre and the white goo stuff simply ran out of the massive holes in the tyre when I tried that so I phoned the AA. This is when the 'fun' started. I explained the situation in very clear English, or so I thought, but the woman on the other end of the phone was obviously hard of understanding and/or in possession of an IQ in single figures because she asked me if I wanted someone to come out or if I wanted to wait for a Land Rover specialist who could get to me tomorrow mid morning I explained once again that my daughter and I were basically stranded in a back street of Hull (not the nicest place in the country) and that we hoped not to be there after dark because it would be pretty scary and we also have a lot of poultry at home waiting to be put away before the fox arrives for his evening meal. I honestly thought I had got the message through to Miss Air for Brains but after waiting until 5.30 p.m. as requested and no-one turning up I rang back only to be told that she had decided I would be better waiting for a Land Rover specialist to come out to me the following morning We finally arrived back in a tow truck at 9 p.m. after I explained in even more basic English that I was pretty hacked off with the service I had 'received' so far. Are all recovery services this bad or was I just unlucky? I am preparing my complaint now but I expect it will just get chucked in a big bin at the AA offices reserved especially for that purpose If I wanted to recruit staff that had less brains than my stupidest guinea pig, I honestly wouldn't know where to start. Maybe there's a Job Centre for lobotomised job seekers and that's where they all come from? I also had a run in with a traffic warden who told me I was partially blocking the last few inches of a cycle lane that was painted on the pavement. Er, really, how dreadful of me

What's 'reversing' please? Annie

Thank you both

Despite having a good look round the site I still couldn't figure out where to put this so please could one of the mods move it for me if it is not appropriate here? Thank you I had put my lovely Roadster up for sale but when I got a serious enquiry about him I found that I simply couldn't go through with it I did tell the potential purchaser straight away and he was fine about it. Because I am off to Madrid soon I have SORNed Mr Zedders from the start of next month but I am not sure what I need to do to ensure that he remains in good condition when I get him out of storage next summer? I am not technically or mechanically minded in the slightest, to my shame, but if anyone has any advice I would be grateful I was thinking I would give him a really good clean and then store him under cover with his own car cover on but do I need to remove his battery? Or keep it on trickle charge? Or get my friend to start him up from time to time and let him run? And is there anything else I should/should not do? All advice, no matter how obvious to everyone else, would be very welcome. Thanks

This might be the best comment I've ever read. Me too - love it

Having removed our old kitchen myself and had a huge amount of fun in the process, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I saved a day's labour costs. It took me two days but, like I said, it was great fun and I loved burning all the old cabinets at the end. Please put up photos of your kitchen when it's finished. I really enjoy seeing how other people have styled their houses

Matt, my postie has just been but no game for me either I even rushed to the door to greet him because I thought he'd have it. I really needed it today because it's a birthday present.

Maybe we should have a little sub forum for Spanish learners? Can you make it so glrnet?

Hola Bems Muy bien gracias. Y tu? (Sorry, can't quite rouse myself to do accents because I am too lazy ).

I got an 'A' for woodwork at school but our workshop was nowhere near as good as yours! It looks like a great project to work on and I am looking forward to seeing the finished items, complete with cute little twin babies of course Lol at DoogyRev's guillotine comment

Sophisticated moi? Erm, we've not met, obviously If I have to write a Spanish translation underneath all my posts from now on please expect very simple posts about the weather and what types of food I would like to order if I were in a restaurant Adios amigos

wmr, all my friends want to come with me so I've told them I'll charter a plane! I'm sure we can find you a seat somewhere A-G, I've not heard of that one but I'll take a look. I'm currently using Coffee Break Espagnol (which is broad Scots when they are not speaking Spanish ) and LinguaPhone. Mr Two Bears is also listening to Michel Thomas but I really hate his ponderous style so can't manage to listen to him for more than five minutes ioneabee, well thanks for that confidence booster NeilMH, I actually did try two Seats. I was trying so hard to be sensible and get a small, good value car but I failed, hence the ST The man at the Seat garage deserves a special mention though because he was very nice and helpful Thanks Graham There was one young chap in the class who was extremely keen but his enthusiasm outweighed his linguistic talents. I think he wanted to be in the next class up too. I'm sure he will get there soon.

No flirting with girls for me I might try my luck with the men though

wmr, don't be so modest, you speak it much better than I do Mr Two Bears is going to work in Madrid in the new year and everyone else on the staff will be Spanish so he is very keen to learn the language. I plan to be a lady of leisure but I would feel much happier if I could speak Spanish so that I can get on with everyday life whilst I am there

Gracias de nuevo I was surprised by how much I enjoyed being 'back at school'. It did help to know that I couldn't be put in detention

Gracias

I have just come back from my first ever Spanish language class and I have already been promoted to the Spanish Improvers class. I am pleased but also worried that I won't be able to hack it Are there any other Spanish learners on here? It would be nice to have someone else to 'talk' to

I've ordered this for my daughter's boyfriend because it's his birthday so I'm hoping it will arrive soon

I know it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things but it is a bit annoying not to be taken seriously. Maybe I should be more assertive but it's not really my style One thing I do refuse to do, however, is take Mr Two Bears into the showroom with me because it is my car and so I will choose it entirely by myself!

Vik, I didn't have any problems like this at all when I bought the Zed. Mind you I was so determined to get him that maybe I didn't actually notice what the salesman was saying

Hm, obviously not just me that has problems with this type of salesman then I thought maybe it was because I wasn't in my 20s that the salesmen seemed to think I would be better off with a small, less powerful car? Two of them have even asked me if I am a 'boy racer' How funny ... not.

I sometimes wonder if I should don full Miss Marple regalia i.e. tweed suit, hat, sensible brogues, little round glasses and then go and ask for a test drive. Wonder what they'd offer me then? A Motability scooter?

I don't know why but I thought you'd be older than that?

If one more car salesman tells me that I don't look like someone who drives a Zed I think I will kick him in the shins What on earth does a Zed driver look like eh, Mr Salesman? I decided to adopt a different tactic today and actually act like the idiot that the salesmen obviously take me for so I went into the Ford dealership and asked if they had "a little blue car". After about 20 minutes Mr Patronising Salesman finally worked out that I wanted to book a test drive in a Fiesta ST2 but not before repeatedly trying to sell me a Ka. It's as though what I say doesn't register the first time. Maybe I should write it down and allow them to read and inwardly digest it before I actually speak to them? I am getting very frustrated now

Exciting! Congratulations and good luck with your move