LondonRascal

Indeed, and I am all for that in social situations but I don;t really seek it when I am out shopping. An example a couple of weeks ago in Roys in Wroxham was being behind Lynn and Bernard who are talking to Ruth the checkout operator about Lynn's recent health scare. I heard a great deal and as they talked of course Ruth kept stopping scanning their shopping, and Bernard was stopping packing to talk back. It all took an absolute age to get sorted. I am sorry to be dismissive here, but I have no personal interest in spending a few minutes talking to someone as I put things in a bag before they ask me how I'd like to pay, tap my card and wish them a good day. Perhaps the stark truth is, growing up where I did this sort of interaction is rare - indeed it is rare to get even something as simple as 'thanks' as you had over money, or take a receipt from the person at the till. But here is a very real and good example of my day: I needed to go to collect a parcel from one of the Amazon Lockers in Norwich. I checked the time of the next train on my phone, and bought my tickets while I was at it - walked round to the station and had but moments before the train arrived. Once on the train I took a seat, and once we were past Brundall Gardens the Guard came along asking 'any tickets' and seeing my phone had the QR code on it as I held it in my hand, pulled out his phone to scan the QR code shown on my screen. He said nothing to me, I said nothing to him. He was on his way in seconds. At the station I used my phone to allow the scanner at the ticket gates to confirm the ticket I had was live and valid, it was they opened and I walked through. I then came to the front of Norwich station, turned to my right and walked to the bus stop. A First Operated bus came along which is good as they take contactless card payments. If this was London you would say nothing, but it was not so I had to tell the driver my destination, Castle Mall. He tapped something and this woke up the terminal to accept my phone and I paid using Apple Pay. Again no words were said between me and driver. I took my seat. I got off and went into the shopping centre that is Castle Mall where I found the Amazon Locker that had my order waiting in it. I used my phone again with the Amazon App to scan the QR code that then opened the locker my order was behind, having collected this it was time to head off into the city. I walked around a bit and popped into WH Smiths, I bought my Rail magazines and went straight to the self service till, scanned them and paid, again using my phone and Apple Pay - and walked on out. Then it was over to McDonalds. I used the self service order screen, tapped the phone to pay, grabbed a table number and found somewhere to sit. A few minutes later a chap came over with my food, took the table number and said 'enjoy' I nodded. I ate. I finished and I left. I walked up to St. Stephens Street and into Sainsbury's Local, picked up a few essentials and yep, again I paid at the self service till, having now decided I could not really be bothered to walk back to the station, I pondered a black cab then a train but instead opted for a mini cab all the way back to Brundall. No need to phone for one, out with the phone tap the App for Courtesy Taxi's and ordered one - 4 minutes later it arrived, I got in and we were off. Nothing was said during our trip so I put on my headphones and day dreamed, it did not take long and time to get out - all paid for as the fare was automatically taken from my account, so simply close the door and walk away. So I had traveled on a train, collected a parcel, bought three magazine's, bought some food, then some shopping and cab back in a cab and hardly anything was said, no actual cash was used and no wallet was needed even. Did I feel left wanting for more interaction? No, not at all. I had achieved all I needed to and it had all gone without any hitches. I am sure to some the above would make them feel like some kind of soulless robot, for me I was content.

Have a look at this website for ideas - Off The Motorway - but also covers A roads too. Also if you want cheap and reasonable food, Tesco, Asda or Morrison's often have Cafe's so always worth having a look if there is one near your route as a good place for a stop.

Well it depends, most new cars have certain requirements dependent on age or millage which ever comes first. You have a mid and major service. A mid is usually just a visual check over things, and an oil and filter change. A major is where the fuel filter is changed the air intake filter for the engine and the air filter for the cabin are changed. Oil and filter is also changed. Then as time passes certain other things are added in like brake fluid being changed, coolant flushed and changed, transmission fluid being changed or differential oil too. Of course over time things wear, like shocks and brakes and lower control arms etc which are outside the usual 'service' remit but might be drawn to your attention during one, or of course on an MOT. Now If I take delivery of the Mercedes, then it will go in for a 'full service' because I do not know how through the last owner was really. Also, it will be nice to know from as soon as feasible after I am the owner the correct oil is in the car, that the correct filters are used and things like cabin air filters which can be left off peoples radar to have changed are done. Next up will be to check the pressure on the air conditioning system and re-gas as required. New front discs will be needed, but all round pads again - and new break fluid. A flush of the transmission fluid will be done and fresh put in. If there is anything else that is found to be needed then I will have that sorted too. Then I will feel comfortable and the car will be fit for how I like it to be. I expect however in all honesty to go off the car in a short period of time and then use it as handy part exchange tool and go through a few other cars I want to have a go in, but I would like to say I have experienced a convertible for a few months. Of course in the case of this car it is likely that the car has been 'thrashed' a bit, after all it is powerful car with a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds and no doubt many will have enjoyed having a heavy right foot both on the accelerator and brakes but as it is a second car that won't get a lot of use, I am not as worried about the future quite in the same way as I am about the BMW.

Just off the phone with STR in Norwich, really helpful and are themselves coming in their own truck to come and collect the BMW tomorrow and will get on with the belt replacement - but I have been warned it may have been caused by something else, or even if not may also have done some damage as it flung itself off - I will see what the estimate is and may use this opportunity to make a claim under my policy with Auto Protect. Meantime, London called and they have got parts on order for the Mercedes - of course all this is at their expense which is nice to know. I think what I have found out truly since getting into cars is actually, it is the few who really care for their cars. While it is true perhaps that the first person who spent big on the initial purchase may, owner 2 will begin to think less so and by owner 3 and 4 service intervals are getting pushed longer and longer and that funny sound under the bonnet, well she starts up first time still and drives okay so it can wait. Myself though, I want it to not only last but also be well looked after be that mechanically or aesthetically. What I have been surprised most as is for all these years I have not had a car, get one since November and have to suffer a few days without and it is like the end of the world - actually having to get the bus and train again lol.

I always buy from Amazon. Because of the choice and the value. I'm sorry but it is as simple as that.. I used to adore Argos, I got excited by their new catalogues and grew up using them as the go to cheap place for anything. Yet now, I have no idea how Argos still is going, even with Salisbury now owning them and having small stores in larger Sainsbury'. I have been to three of these in store concessions, two in London one in Norwich and they were empty of any customers. Today I had to go to a 'proper' Argos in Norwich itself, it felt like a soulless shed. I still had to use a pencil and a bit of paper to put down my item number, despite there being a terminal at the table with the laminated book of dreams - I could only check stock or reserve. Over to the self service terminal, tap in the code, throw paper in pin below it - it served all of 20 feet and I guess I could have save it and time if used some memory capacity. Paid and got receipt stood around for a bit and then my order was handed over, receipt stamped and that was that. It feels like they are trying to mix old and new and I wish they would embrace all new or keep it all old fashion but the two just don't work. It was a Remington shaver I wanted, £24.99. It is on Amazon, for £21.99. I could have it delivered for nothing to a Post Office, Amazon Locker or home - and save £3.00. Pretty much anything form anywhere you can replicate that, new telly in John Lewis, £54.00 less on Amazon. Teak and Brass interior light fitting, Norfolk Marine £45.00 each, Amazon £19.99 and so it goes on. If you wish to go to a shop and pay over the odds for the precise same thing be my guest. Yes, self service check outs cost jobs, but I choose them over the manned till because save for the 'unexpected item in bagging area' that might crop up, its fast and easy and no small talk is needed. Increasingly we are seeing pay by App in pubs - the Whetherspoon App has stopped me and countless others going to the bar! - we just sit down, order and wait. It is great. Self pay petrol pumps - why can't they all be like this! Even McDonald's is doing all it can to remove people from interacting with staff through their new self order terminals, and 'Order & Collect App' based model. They also do home delivery now through Uber Eats. A disruptive ride hailing company who branched into home food delivery - and yet once you've tried it, it hard not to bash it. It is not so much that we are being forced to do this, it is that so many of use have chosen to do this and now it is fast becoming the new norm. The reality of course is, that a large amount of people out there are not happy with it, and do not like to use it - I read recently at currently levels and if we do not do something it about it, cash will stop being used. It is harder for smaller shops to get their takings to banks because so few use them and so many are closing. But I have not personally needed to actually go to a bank for, well goodness ages it was only a refund processed as a cheque that got me into one and even then I used the self service pay in machine. As for those who want something cheaper that is life, if it costs others jobs it won't stop people thinking 'oh wait a moment' in all honesty, neither will I. It is not just about the cost saving, its the ease to be on the go and order through their App and the next day it has arrived, increasingly you are finding many products now available for same day delivery too. There is no way traditional shops can compete and this is why so many are in such trouble it is a spiral that begun and has built such momentum I cannot see it stopping.

First break down and a new car... I had just come off the A11 and joined the A47 at the Thickthorn Interchange (a name that conjurers up such glamour but is just a big roundabout) when I felt what I can best describe as a little nudge and then moments later the car's dash and 'iDrive' came to life telling me there was issue with the charging system followed by the message 'stop immediately and seek service'. To be honest since the car has issued rouge messages in the past I did wonder if this was real. I pulled over at the first lay-by on the A47 and had a look under the bonnet, to find bit of rubber and metal braiding everywhere. Brilliant, belt had gone. If the car was older it would be more simple, you could easily see and inspect the belts and often you would have a main serpentine belt that would power the AC Compressor, Power Steering and Water Pump and a separate one for the Alternator but on the this car and many one belt does it all, so despite the fact being a Diesel I did not need the Alternator as much I was not about to risk the next ten or so miles to Brundall. I called 'Auto Protect' who I had been given the free breakdown cover with when I bought the car. Let's just say things did not go too well with the 'control centre' being able to locate me. I was by a road side SOS phone so used that number as a point of location, this failed. I offered to give them the precise details of the car through Lat and Long but that was too much. So with the chap on Google Maps Street View he was taking a virtual journey up the A47 and thought he had found the Lay-By I was at. It was then a case of them calling around local garages to see who could come out to me. 15 minutes later I had a call back to say a firm from Great Yarmouth could attend, luck would have it I asked if it was a low loader that could transport the car? No I was told, well I said this car cannot be towed it will ruin the transmission so I need to be lifted and transported. Perhaps I should have said this at teh time of the first call, or perhaps they should have asked either way they had to find another firm. Some time later such was found this time coming out of Norwich and a short time later he duly arrived. I had a one shot recovery to anywhere - so since it was Saturday and just after 5pm, I knew nowhere would be open to accept the car Brundall it was. Loading the car on the truck I needed to get the car out of park - something you can only do with the engine running (unless you go through the emergency procedure to take the car out of park by going into to the gear box. On most BMW's this seems to be by removal of the cup holders and getting to the transmission that way). Anyway, so I start the engine, engage Neutral and take of the electric handbrake - at which point he says he cannot recover me because 'it's a runner' and if it is a runner, and can drive I should drive it. Anyway I explain yes the engine runs but no I cannot drive the car and this is accepted and the car is loaded, phew. So we arrive at the Yare Pub in Brundall, and choose this as a good location to unload as he has the best access. Quite a scene to the locals of course but once it was done and the car was pushed back into a spot and the guy had driven off I pondered how I felt about leaving the car in the car park, especially as half of it was being used as a car park for the Station. I therefore thought I will take it slow and get the car round to the Marina - which I did. And there it has been since. So now come Monday morning I have to get in touch with STR of Norwich and book it in, or do I? You see they serviced the car on Monday and part of their check list was to check the condition and tension of the belts, and then it fails on the Saturday. In order to get to see the belts you need to take off the air intake box, and the entire cooling fan assembly. Lot of work is that, did they do it I ponder? If they did or did not it of course is easy to say that things like this can go at any time so I may take it instead to M Kraft of Rackheath, another independent BMW garage. I did specify form STR original BMW brake pads but what I have appear to be Delphi pads. They perform well, but these are the same I could have got from Kwick-Fit and they dust like you would not believe. BMW pads are made by Pagid but really it comes down to asking for something and being supplied with something else, even if it is of equal quality if you want Coke and end up with Pepsi it makes a difference. Anyway, the really annoyance is I am now going to have to arrange the car to be transported to wherever I choose at my expense - the recovery service recon this will be about £150.00 but depends on distance and over all time the recovery truck is 'on call out'. No doubt I will have some more updates as and when things get moving. Another car? Yes. So since I am about ready for my 'mid-life crisis' being 40 this year, I thought it was time to experience a sporty little number, feel the wind in my hair and maybe branch out in to hairdressing. I had looked at a Mazda MX-5 but it was simply too small and was embarrassing seeing me getting out of the thing almos9cought on all fours. So back to the drawing board and then I found some nice Mercedes SLK's. I thought to myself I better be sensible (cough) and not get carried away, so let's look at models that were as much as the MX-5. Well this meant I had to go right back to cars about 14 years old, but they also had some pretty high millage and pretty worn seats, steering wheel that looked like the leather colouring was wearing off, switch gear that did not look too happy and so on and so forth. The other issue was most of the cars in my budget were the low powered 18L engines, some were 2.5L though but imagine my surprise when one popped up in South Norwood, 79,330 miles and in a pretty right soft blue with upgraded wheels and the rarer 3.5L V6 engine. I headed out to have a look and duly did the usual Robin thing - trusted everything I was told. The guy was very warm and friendly and it was waiting outside, top down and ready to go. We got in and he drove it, sounded great, lovely power delivery and it really did feel like a taught and well kept car. Perfect paintwork, great interior, slick gear change - yeah I thought I could see myself in this for the summer. So back to the dealer's and I see the car has had full Merc main dealer service all its life, and had a new catalyst, new front shocks and some other things done as early as January this year. It failed the MOT only because of bad tyres, these are all new too. Hmm well, I thought to myself why not eh? So I say 'll take it - no messing about. His eyes light up and I go in for a little haggle and get £150.00 off the asking price. Transfer the funds, insure the car and walk out feeling happy. Get in, urm only no I can't seem to get the drivers door open. I can get the passenger side open, but even then I have to manually pull up on the lock to get the drives side door open. I also find the drivers door mirror is not able to adjust. Hmm back I go into the dealer. They say they have to look into it, can I come back tomorrow..Sure I say. So the following day I go back and once again it is outside. I get in, wow the door lock works, I check the mirror and it works too. Today I had Shiela with me - she is not a lady to be impressed with anything and is more annoyed at what the hell am I doing now with 3 boats and 2 cars. Don't worry I say, it's a man thing and hard to explain. I start the car - it runs serious rough and stalls. I start it up again and then the check engine light comes on. It is almost out of fuel, there is a Shell literally up the road so we nurse the car to the garage and I put 20 litres in and see if it was just low fuel causing the issues, urm no of course not Robin. Back to the dealers walk in - you should have seen their faces. So the chap comes out and he revs it and revs it and turns the engine off and on and on and off, then says he will 'give it a blast around the block' well he does, and it comes back and it is still running awfully. I am now really fed up. So they say they will sort it, and I say I am sure you will and go off home. I then email them to be firm but fair and keep everything on record. I expect them to resolve the issues, but once they are said to be resolved I will have the car independently inspected, if there are no issues I will collect the car and that will be the end of things. If there are issues I will return the spare key, documentation and expect a full refund within1 4 days under my rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This has been agreed to. It seems the coil pack has failed along with the mass air flow sensor, but you see, it is just my luck, of course. So now I think we are up to date with the latest car talk from me, as ever it is never dull.

Good tip that

I had a look on their website, thought they were not, but they have some frameless ones which appear to be hybrid, taking both the steel frame and an out plastic aerodynamic section

Just an update to those who might be in the area about my experience with STR Services in Norwich. I duly arrived at the allotted time of 8:15am and having left the car, signed a form and confirmed my details headed off knowing they would have the car for the day. It had a full service, transmission fluid and brake fluid change, all new brake pads and tracking carried out. Around 4:30pm I had a call to say they were almost done and could I come to collect. Nothing was found to be wrong with the car, the discs all within their wear tolerances, the only issue I may have is a control module failing that runs the daytime running lights. They work, but every now and then it will throw a warning that there is a problem with them - even though they are illuminated. Later that issue will go. Coopers BMW were unable to shed any light on this warning, despite £100.00 being charged to investigate. Now, I found them really genuine, helpful and easy to deal with but the customer ahead of me had understood the tracking on his car to have cost £80.00 - so he said he was told on the phone, but it is £89.99 plus VAT and he was most unhappy. When I went up the emailed quote I had been given was indeed the price I paid, the car was clean with no 'greasy fingerprints' inside it and I was impressed with the big list of items they inspected, and not to forget this was over £300.00 less than the main dealer's estimate for the same work. While I have to be gentle for the next few hundred miles braking, after the initial rubbing off of the surface, I can already tell the new pads are very sharp and the peddle feel is firmer too. Next oil change now is not for 19,000 miles - though to be honest I'll have one done well before then since the cost of that is not excessive. So I think I will be taking the car to STR in the future as I was not left feeling like they were trying to up sell anything or tell me 'oh you need to have such and such done' when perhaps it is not actually required. I am also pleased to see the car is in good overall order with nothing on the horizon to worry about. As an aside when I got the car I had to change the wipers, and opted for the now very common ''aeroblade' style, which has no metal linkages to help spread the blade on the screen. I was not that impressed to be honest, the passenger side did not seem to have enough 'pressure' on the last inch of the blade and so always missed a little at speed, they were not cheap and Bosch made but I got so fed up with this I opted for some Hybrid versions. These have a more traditional style blade assembly but are covered with an aerodynamic plastic outer. They weight about twice as much as the aeroblade ones they replaced, and the difference is remarkable. Super silent, streak free, even pressure. They did not cost as much as the Bosch ones and were easier to fit too so just something to consider if your wipers are up for change - not available in most shops but if you do a Google or Amazon search for Hybrid Windscreen Wipers you should find suppliers.

So you did, sorry I misread what you meant.

Mrs G has Mr G to warm her bed lol

No need, if we need to use it, the new unit comes complete with a very posh polished 316 stainless exhaust skin fitting, silencer, and intake air silencer - use together I have been told the noise is a gentle hum from outside the boat and inside cuts down a lot on the induction noise caused by the combustion air being sucked in. I have one of these on Indy, it was a £260.00 options though, because Eberspacher. I also popped along to JPC Direct today and got a reducer that should fit out existing ducting, We need 90mm to the first vent, kit comes with 2m of ducting at 90mm for this and vent. I then optioned a Y section and from this Y we reduce down. I could only imagine the pain if we had to replace all the ducting runs with 90mm stuff. And before anyone asks, this is not me saying it is okay to do it this way, this comes from the company themselves. By the way Martin, if you want heated towel rails and hot water Plannar do hot water heaters - instead of air they heat water, then pump it off around a closed circuit much like a household system. This can then heat a hot water tank, a towel rail, radiators or matrix style vents with 12v fans behind them to distribute warm air.

I put it to the other owners like this: 1)We could go to JPC for example and get a Webasto with local back up should anything go amiss, and a full warranty and pay something like £1,800.00. 2) We could go on Ebay or Amazon and buy a Clone from China for under £200.00. It would have no back up whatsoever and could be considered a disposable item. 3) We could spend somewhere in the region of £500.00 to £600.00 and get a Plannar Heater (Auto Therm). These are made in Russia, to their own design and so is not a clone of a Webasto. Furthermore they have UK support and parts, a 2 year warranty and some very good reviews in the boating press - most recently in Yachting monthly. It did not take too long for us to see the route that combined some UK support and parts availability with a good price. Today I called Plannar and spoke to a really helpful chap who talked me through the options. He also said that things like the new, updated and super quest fuel pump (silent in operation) were made for the UK market, and a number of other items specifically for the marine installation that were equal to, or better than Webasto but of far superior quality to anything from China (he has had one on test from China and the weak point is their Glow plugs apparently along with the loudness of their exhaust). So some more looking into things and actually they don't do a 5Kw heater, just the 4Kw or a massive Kw version. Because of the way the heat exchanger has been made along with the combustion chamber, more of the fuel that burns can be converted to usable heat and thus it will use much the same amount per hour as our old warm air heater, yet produce more heat and a lot more air volume. I too would avoid Eberpsahcer having a D5 installed on Independence which caused some issues within a year of being installed, by a main agent - very poor after sales service form them, and indeed not much to be said for Panks who tested it for 3 hours on a bench and changed the Glow Plug, I am still unsure if it is performing correctly but at least it fires and runs but for close on £5,000.00 it seems a no brainer to go with something that has an individual you can call up, get advice from and send out parts from from their own Warehouse in Winchester should you need anything. I will talk to them tomorrow to finalise our specification list and get it ordered for delivery in time for our AMP in April. Of course we will be frank and honest here how such performs and hopefully this will be helpful for other boaters who need a new heater or are considering just updating their own but can't find too much details about makes other than 'the two big boys'.

Duly saved over £300.00 by not going to the main dealer for the next service and to have the pads done. So all booked in for next week with STR in Norwich.

I have become very aware of late just how crafty these things can be and deep they go. If you have any pre-recorded call just hang up the moment you realise it is one. If you react, press numbers or talk to the people on the other end, your number just became a very much more valuable asset to them and in terms of data. An active number that has someone who reacts. The same goes for Facebook, I did not used to think there was much harm in some posts that friends may share - but now I am very much more aware of where the originating post might have come from. It might it self seem innocent 'who remembers one of these' and shows a picture of a Sony Walkman. You react, and comment that perhaps yes you did and owned one, and now your comment along with hundreds or thousands of others can be seen. As an experiment next time you get such, go down the list of comments and tap on someone who is not your friend - it is so often the case their settings will enable you, a stranger, to see some of their photos, where they are from, and who they are friends with etc. If you can do that, anyone can and it is no wonder so many profiles on Facebook are then cloned or your details used to aid new scams. Again, no need to comment or like these posts and if you do not you are able to remain effectively hidden. Even non-scams can be annoying. I once allowed Halfords to have my email address to save a printed receipt being given. Huge mistake. I had, by consenting to them having my email address allowed them to add me to their database and sure enough did email the receipt, but then the offers and other products began to stream in my inbox - and it was not an easy thing to get rid of once it began. Thankfully I don't suffer hardly any random calls, and no junk mail because for as long as I can remember I have always been very cautious of giving my address, and if do always read the T&Cs and remember to tick the 'do not contact me' type boxes. I always give false email addresses when I check into Hotels now because if you give your real one, they will add you to their database and begin to send you more offers. They just do not need this information to begin with when you check in but often will be a stipulation on the card you complete at the desk.

For those who like old Fords, Rovers and Vauxhall's among others, search You Tube for ROVR (Retro OEM Video Repository) and has videos from adverts, reviews to many staff only training or behind the scene development stuff. Here is a classic comparing the Sierra facelift to previous models, how simple cars were then:

When I bought the car it had some budget tyres, less than 3 months old fitted on the front and some older Dunlops on the rear. I can't remember off the top of my head what the budget's were but remember having to Google to find the company and their swish website. When someone has to keep saying in their sales spiel how good they are compared to other names, and then has a 'life time replacement warranty for workmanship' I feel less confident than if they did not need to say such. I then could not find anyone positing warm reviews of the tyres . Anyway, they seemed fine to me so I was not too bothered and put it down to how online reviews tend to be. Then I was driving to Stalham in heavy rain on the B1152 which heads away from Acle. There were some pools of water by the side of the road but nothing too deep and everyone was doing about 45 MPH. However the car was just very skittish, the pull to the left on the wheel when went through any of the water was pretty bad too. Long story short, got the new tyres and opted to change all four. It was found the alignment was 'well out' but being a BMW I wanted to find somewhere to do this with a Hunter system. The change since has been night and day, initially they were more noisy but now are quiet and sure footed even in some awful rain and sleet on early morning back to London. I feel far more happy having spent the extra on tyres that should also last longer because of their compound. As for the Tailgate, fixed that myself today, cause of the issue was the aftermarket rubber boot liner. It had slipped back and was putting pressure on the lower tailgate portion just enough to make the sensor think it was not secured. If it is not secure the upper tailgate will not open or close electrically. Having moved the rubber mat forward, the lower tailgate now closes easily and without needing some force to get it closed. Problem has gone away. I also decided to find anywhere local that had a Range Rover Sport for sale and have a look at one. I duly did and like it as much as I dislike it. It just is not put together as well as the BMW, neither are the plastics as high quality and the switch gear while chunky looking does not have the feel you might expect. The leather is far better, the seats are like mini armchairs and I like the little armrests. It is taller and you get a more 'commanding' view but it feels like the sort of car you can just cruise in, no need to push it to hard just enjoy the journey and, sit back and relax. While I did not take it for a test drive, I know the performance is way down on the BMW's and it guzzles fuel more, and produces more emissions, but it is older and that is to be expected. I could not swap the BMW for one of those, and while nice idea to have I think it would be the type of thing I'd do for 3 months get it out my system and move on.

Indeed, he was very cheery and helpful to us, in times since I had seem him about in Horning. A sad loss, RIP.

PS - these days of course less and less people buy cars new - they Lease. This is great for the manufactures as they can show how many new cars they are making, this also is nice for the government with new registrations etc, not so clever for those who pay over the odds but they do get a shiny new car every three years and that is the key. I was looking a beautifully kept Range Rover Sport - one owner from new and very well cared for. Thing is, it is a 2008 model - you don't get much tech, a real slow infotainment system and dated looks to the dash and silly as that might sound that actually is stopping me going to the next step, yet it is well under £8,000 which for a car kept as this has been a steal. But then what the hell would I do with one of those? I think I just want to say I owned one and experience them for a bit. I still keep going and looking over the phones though lol.

I thought this would get some discussions going, and that kinda shows to me how big a deal cars actually are to people and everyday life and why everyone has their take on it.. So far as the fuel goes there are some benefits to spending some more. A good example is using Super Unleaded (or whatever the latest brand names are for it) in things like outboards, gen-sets etc since It does not contain Ethanol which standard unleaded does - at varying amounts up to 5%. That means nothing for a car where you use fuel often, but in something that might not get used that much and has fuel sat in a tank it does. I found this out at my cost with the Generator I bought to use at the Forum Meet - the fuel has 'gone off' to a degree making starting hard and running rough and I had to drain the fuel tank and take apart the Carb to clean it out recently. Ethanol absorbs moisture more from the air and is a good solvent for eating into certain plastics and rubber seals and while it had not caused harm it had begun to bring moisture into the fuel and I found some evidence of varnishing too. Anyway, as far as Diesel goes, no the premium stuff at the pump won't make your car go faster or give it more Horse Power but it has been shown time and again in independent tests, and even peoples own experiments to keep the fuel system very clean because of the additive packages that this diesel has in it over and above the standard stuff. It also has other properties like foaming far less and being more stable. I have found that using it does indeed mean I get better millage, not a great deal but around 3 to 4 miles per gallon more than if I used Supermarket fuel. I am happy with that so I use it, others may not be or feel that is a good enough reason to switch. It is interesting too reading about people's thoughts on cars generally. I think generally speaking the best times for cars were the late 1990's and into the early 2000's. It was a time where cars were actually comfy, I mean Velour seating is a damn sight more soft and comfy than modern fabric coverings. Older cars seats, especially Fords were much softer than they are now too. Cars then also had a nice style and there was room for a lot of individuality and even the French were able to still be quirky! These days really there is far less difference between cars, both in style, interiors and performance - much like all Smartphones do much the same and look much the same. If I was going for a run of the mill SUV there are so many out there, but really they are much of a muchness. What gets a little harder is when you want some performance, a 'chunky' more aggressive look and a nice luxury feel. Go with a Lexus and you get a great reliable luxurious car - then you also have to deal with a petrol engine that is large and smooth. That means higher tax, higher parking permit prices and yet not much to write home about in out and out performance. That soft ride also means it has the traits of other higher riding SUV's - body roll. Go for the Hybrid to reduce the tax costs and give some better MPG and loose a bunch of boot space taken up with the batteries - add weight because of them and the electric motor assembly and that eats into the performance still further. That is just an example, there are many more. You can go through various models from different manufactures but for my mind the BMW fitted the bill and maybe that is because that was what I was used to with the 7 Series, maybe too because of the fact I had learnt in an Audi so I was more used to the Germanic styling and ways than a Japanese model might have. Many would disagree and that is fine because then what they might say is their cup of tea would then make me disagree and that is great because it shows what passions so many of us have towards cars. And think too how things have changed, remember 20 years ago the UK market was driven by fleet cars - it was a real big deal if you had a company car and your job only warranted an L model - you got a choice of Ford or Vauxhall perhaps, but you might be won over by the smallest of things, like one having front electric windows when the other did not. You'd work up through the ranks and might get get to a Si Vauxhall Cavalier and think you were at the pinnacle when your boss would go home in his Carlton GSi and make you feel tiny. Thank god this massive range of sub-models is behind us and we are now more interested in the tech the car has than anything else as these days so much is taken for granted or mandated be it to do with safety or comfort. In my view you have those who see a car as a means of getting from A to B and absolutely nothing else with little emotion attached to it and treat it without too much respect. I don't mean just what happens under the bonnet, but about how often it is washed,or leaving a dent in it, and you can begin to tell things about who owns it as to how clean the interior is or what may be left in the car. Equally you have the real 'nerds' who not only know everything there is to know about the car, but will lavish it with attention, and keep it in the best fettle they can. Between these two extremes you've got a great deal of other types making car owners a very interesting demographic. What really does make someone switch from years of allegiance to Ford to Kia, or why does an Audi owner snub Mercedes. As for myself, well I have changed over the years. As a teen I was into cars like you would not believe, indeed I was a a proper nerd. I could identify any car on the road, including the sub-model at glance. I could also identify any car at night by the shape of the headlights or their beam angle and when a boy went on 'You Bet' (anyone remember that TV show) he was able to identify cars just by the sound their doors made when closed I felt I was not alone in this odd ball world. These days I don't really care about what is out there, they are as I said very much of a muchness one model year to the next they have the slightest of changes generally as if we are all playing safe. But do still like it when I see a 90's car still out and about on the roads maybe because that takes me back to my youth. I know I will not get many people who agree with me on this, especially where cars are concerned. Mine does not need a service for another 3,000 miles and does not need new brake pads at all yet but it is just what I do to bring it inline with what I do. Urm yeah, does not make much sense eh - but then this is the chap who will wash the car on a wet day, drive it get it filthy and then wash it again for good measure. I drove up to Brundall today, grabbed some food then drove to Wroxham - but not before I had polished it again. When I bought Independence everything was done weather it needed it or not in mechanically so I knew it had been and when it had been, same with Trixie. The car is no different but that does not mean I cherish it, I could decide at short notice 'time to change' and would and then begin my journey with the next one afresh. Gosh, being British and having some eccentric genes. Perfect.

Well this is not boat related, more just a discussion about cars. Be curious to hear how others get along with their's and costs of things like servicing - and no you can't just be clever and say you do it yourself, some of us are not that gifted to sort their brakes out in the car park at work over lunch Grendal lol. it has been 4 months since I took ownership of the BMW X5 and in this time I have driven 6,328 miles. Bringing the cars mileage up to almsot 31,000. I've kept every fuel receipt but won't share how much that has cost because frankly I am worried by their growing thickness how much that might be lol. I changed all four tyres just over a month ago and they have been performing very well, and have become a lot quieter after their initial 'run in' period. Also in damp conditions on the A14 when approaching the large ongoing roadworks they proved how well they grip when an Arctic locked up in front of me with plumbs of tyre smoke and then promptly swerved off into the nearside cones to avoid going into the back of another Arctic which had slowed. I can only presume the lorry driver had been not concentrating, but I was able to avoid the ensuing situation in front of me with confidence, of course some credit has to go to the car and a smidgen to me. Mechanically the car has used no oil, only needed some coolant when I took delivery and since then has used none. Starts and goes perfectly and very smoothly come cold, damp or sunshine. I put some ZX1 into the oil, and use a premium Diesel (Shell V-Power or BP Ultimate) I have experimented and it is noticeable that you do get a better MPG with the premium fuel over the bog standard supermarket fuels. I know these premium fuels have a more complex additive package and BP Ultimate at least has the highest Cetane rating of UK Diesel fuel and combined they do seem to work. I'd not say there is a real 'performance' gain, though the engine seems to idle smoother and acceleration is more linear but it is the Norwich - London - London - Norwich run where you don't need to work out much with maths just a look at the fuel gauge on the premium fuel shows it has not drunk as much as compared to the supermarket versions. This goes a long way to cancelling out the higher pence per litre cost - so long as you shop around for the best prices, cos' boy do they vary! It also means the fuel system is being kept cleaner and running at it' optimum. I've just booked it in for a full service and new front and rear brake pads and brake fluid change. (£1,042.00) I suspect I am going to find that the front discs need changing too, as there is a slight wear ridge, and BMW tend to have pretty slim tolerances on them with only a few millimetres of wear before new disc's are called for. I don't need front pads actually, but I do need rear ones. I have chosen to change both to keep things balanced and, well because that is how I am. I also want to keep things original because the initial bite and stopping power of the original pads are great, going to Kwick-Fit etc saves big on cost but the composition of their pads are harder - last longer but don't give that same intimidate response and are harder on the discs too. I do however have a new electrical issue - the electric tailgate. It has decided to not want to open or close electrically, just some of the time though. Open manually and close manually and then it will open and close electrically just fine. Go on a journey and park up and it will still open electrically. Lock car and return to it and it won't open electrically. I also have a nearside Daytime Running Light Module issue that tells me there is a problem, despite the DRL's running as they should. I did a diagnostics check with CARLY for BMW which found some stored error codes for this unit so it seems to be going a bit flaky. I have had a look around for other X5's - yeah I have rather fallen for this model - but to get one a bit newer (say a 2017 model year) with the mileage I have and the factory options I have the pleasure of, sets them not far shy of £40,000. Same car, same model build (F15) and no guarantee that car will be issue free. Therefore I am sticking with 'Colin' for the foreseeable, not to mention the two year warranty I have should anything big go wrong which will help cover the cost of such (mind you at BMW prices maybe not). I do like the pull and performance when you want it, coming off Roundabouts leading out and on to the straight away on the A11 for example, surging forward never fails to impress. Over 2 tonnes of car getting to 60 MPH in 6.2 seconds verges on comical, but none the less brings a smile to your face. However it has not all been happy times. BMW just are plan stingy with the basic things with their infotainment systems. The radio reception on DAB is touch and go, there are some trim squeaks from the rear boot area and the cream leather seats are not wearing too well and will need to have some colour matching work done to restore some worn patches. You also are constantly cleaning them if you wear blue Denim! You can see why I prefer Norfolk..One of these days the wheels will be gone come morning.

Oh my what a lovely photo (not) haha..But yes we actually wanted to hire a boat that weekend, but I made the mistake of thinking the mild and sunny weather meant we were further into the season - we are not and so we could not get a boat as the yards are closed - or those open did not have a boat which met our need. So in the car it was and off to the North Norfolk Steam Railway, which is getting a bit of a habit having been on the the North Yorkshire Moors Railway a week earlier. Well worth it I think and Sheringham was very nice too.

I find the reception is pretty good everywhere but a few 'dead spots' more due to geography of the area like Salhouse which is in a deep trough. Horning however has gone from a dead spot to one where reception is good. In Brundall on a SIM based Router, I use EE and get high enough speeds to easily stream Netflix and Amazon Prime on a Smart TV, indeed it is faster and more reliable than the Marina WiFi.

I remember raising this a few years ago, but people thought I was initially referring to 'air cooled engines' (like a VW Beetle). I thought the main issue would be larger physical holes in hulls and that is not something things that generally like to float ought to have, but my idea was you have a conventional engine of choice, far easier to source and cheaper than a marinised version. Then you simply mount the radiator in a separate enclosed externally, could be 'hidden' within a GRP louvred box that contained the fans. I am sure this would work perfectly well, since under most conditions marine engines operate at pretty low RPM's. The only bonus would be a possible cost saving on the new engine, anything else though will be hassle and those fans will cause a racket when running too. All in all therefore the best idea I think is stick to marinised raw water cooled systems.

I know this is unpopular but I can only see the way forward is to introduce moorings where you need to pay to moor. I don't think however it is fair to ask for money to moor and just get a couple of posts to put your ropes around and some grass, it needs to be to get something in return for the money you are spending - like at a Yacht Station, you can drop off rubbish, get water and even plug in to electric. It could be something driven forward by the Broads Authority in partnership with other providers and land owners, or it could be individual land owners who decide to implement such. I personally prefer the idea of an auto payment system just like road tolling - everyone hire and private has an RF tag that could easily be integrated into the registration number sticker. You get charged when you moor and billed either at the end of your holiday if a hire boat, or by logging into your account within a 24hr period to pay the fee and avoid a penality. Why the tech? Well, if you do not do this you have to work on the basis of trust if you had an honesty box - and let's face it not everyone by any stretch of the imagination would use that, or someone has to go around to collect the fees. In that method you will miss some boats that are moored when a roaming revenue collector is not there, and even if you put in a 'Pay & Display' machine, you need someone to enforce the displaying of the tickets. Whatever you do that someone has to be paid for and it is just not workable or cost effective. Of course the technology would also cost, but I think a small trial even if it was just internally with a the Broads Authority's own launches or a selection of other boats who would sign up to trial the scheme and see how workable it really might be would be a start. I don't agree it is viable now to continue to pay hefty amounts to lease land, to then make moorings and and maintain them and expect it all to be paid for out of the Toll income. What seems to be happening is a slow but steady increase in boat numbers in hire fleets - even now expansion occurring on the southern rivers, you have hundreds and hundreds of private boats parked up in Marina's and come popular times of the year mooring is now all but impossible at many locations. Even outside of the usual season there are more boats out on the water and pressure is beginning to come on the moorings like Ranworth, Horning Staithe and Wroxham. Hire boats are getting longer but holiday makers appear quite happy to hire them and also pay the premium prices they attract but what they are not going to stomach is the inability to moor up at places. Often times people have planned their holidays around visiting locations, only to find they are full and this causes a great deal of unhappy reviews being left online which have nothing to do with the boatyard, their service or the boat but the overall holiday experience caused through not being able to get ashore or visit a a village and so on.