Wheels not turning

Mirinda had guitar this morning. While I was up the shops, she packed her guitar and collected together her music. She even had her coffee loyalty card ready. She packed Sidney and sat down behind the wheel. She turned the key. And nothing happened.

Last week she sent me a text saying that Sidney wasn’t starting. She reckoned it was the starter motor (as if she’d know what that was) or frozen oil. The thing is, even though she’s haunted, Sidney has never had a problem starting. She can sit in the drive for weeks on end with nothing happening and then, with one twist of the key, she bursts into reliable action. Not starting sounded a bit terminal.

We’ve been talking about getting a new car for a while now (don’t tell Sidney) and this seemed to be telling us it was time to get serious.

Apart from missing guitar, Sidney’s lack of motor skills also meant we couldn’t take the dogs to Hankley (or Frensham) so they had to be content with a walk in the park. Of course they didn’t see this as much of a hardship, particularly Emma who isn’t that keen on the car. Have I mentioned she vomits? Almost every time we drive anywhere for a walk, she throws up whatever is in her stomach. It’s incredible how much can fit in it. And it always smells of biscuits mixed with bile. This is not pleasant.

Mirinda spent a lot of the afternoon looking at possible contenders for new car material. We’ve quite fancied the VW EOS with it’s beautiful convertible steel roof which, apart from that mechanical delight, will fit in the drive. This is the problem with buying a new car. Our drive is quite narrow and is foreshortened by the front extension the previous owners had added. Sidney fits perfectly. The EOS is a bit longer and slightly wider but will still fit. A Rolls Royce would not fit.

After long discussions and searching of forum reviews, she turned away from the sports cars and we’ll probably get a new Mini Cooper. It’s reliable, apparently ‘fun’ to drive and it will easily fit in the drive.

It’s a bit odd having car discussions in our house given I have no interest in cars, know very little about them and Mirinda is almost as bad.