#2 Car has been sick for a long time. The radiator was leaking. I tried to fix it with some radiatorfixing goo, and it worked for a while, but then it started gushing fluid. It turned out that it was absolutely perforated and rusted through in several places.
We weren’t going to invest huge sums in the old thing, but Brother-in-law volonteered to see what he could do. It must be said that he’s a Mercedes buff. The car is a 1986 Geländewagen – a great old thing, really, but as I said – 1986…
He did it! The other day, he delivered the car, with a non-leaking, refurbished radiator, and said it was good for another two years. And at an acceptable price, too. Yay! I like the thing, you see. Although it’s thirstier than an elephant on a hot day on the savanna, it runs like a dream, and for my use (to and from the shops and collecting kids from buses on sometimes very iffy roads) it’s perfect.
So – we won’t have to think about getting another old banger for a while. Which suits the overall economy just fine. BIL said he could get us a good price for the old dear when the time comes – he must know some weird enthousiasts…
This is where I surreptitiously insert the words motorcycle accident attorneys, in such a clever manner that no one is any the wiser, and then just go about my business as usual. I dare any of you to do that. I’ve been trying to figure out how for a week.
So – yes, we have a Mercedes. It’s got 9 seats (the main reason why we bought it), it slurps petrol, it’s lost various bits and pieces, and two of its windows can’t be opened. The same goes for the glove compartment – I hope I’ll never be pulled over and asked for the registration papers, because I just can’t get to them, and I’m getting too old for the silly blonde act. Not to mention that I’m not blonde.
But: it’s safe as houses (it would probably come away unscathed from a collision with anything, except perhaps a train or a huge lorry/truck thingy), it starts up even in the coldest of weathers, and the kids can eat ice cream in it in the summer without anyone yelling to mind the upholstry. ‘eck – the dog can eat ice cream in it… It’s big, and in a bohemian kind of way – quite cool.
Stumble it!
