Toto Karl

My very first car ever: a Fiat Panda

Since I had dropped off my old car, I had had other cars to tide me over. The first one was a loan Karl. Grey. Terrible seat. Then I had handed that one back and got another loan Karl. White. Great seat. But last Thursday I handed that one back as well and finally got my own Karl, called Toto Karl from now on. 

Mine is black, and for me quite fancy. Guiding lights when turning, fog lamps (not standard? Honestly?), parking sensors. The most important thing however: a working radio. 

It took a bit of work to get it, as first of all, the person who had sold the car to me was no longer working there. Paperwork had not been forwarded as it should have. That sorted (it concerned the financing), I had a number of papers to sign before I could call the car 'mine'. Well, 1/3 mine, 2/3 finance company. But, for the sake of easiness: mine.

The very last shot of my previous car

The next thing that was discovered was that contrary to their regular routine regarding a newly bought car, it had not had a check-over. We blamed it on the original seller and decided to get it done this week. So, this morning they arrived to pick it up and this afternoon I should have it back again. Ready to take me to work. 

Let's go around the world!

Karl

I had planned to keep my little red car for a few more years. After all, it worked fine, despite not having a radio that did what I wanted or any of the other mod cons that are associated with cars nowadays. And then some idiot ploughed straight into me with a fair amount of speed. Not only did it hurt my neck, it also seriously hurt my little red car.

The conclusion by the garage was that it would be a total loss: ie the cost of repairing was greater than the worth of the car. The conclusion by the insurance company was that the other party was wholly responsible, it then sent the paperwork off to the other insurance company and I am now waiting for a result of that. Which will most likely come in monetary form.

For me it all means that I am not feeling too safe in my little red car anymore. Yes, it is still perfectly drivable, but it has sustained some injuries that may not be visible, but may well be very detrimental. A new car then. 

This morning me and my parents headed out to our local car dealership (where I bought the red one as well) and had a look around. There was a white one I really liked, but that was way too dear. There was a blue one I liked, but if I were going for a newer one, I might as well go as new as possible and 10 years wasn't that new. 

In the end I settled on Karl. Provided the insurance company comes through shortly and I get the financial arrangement I want, I will soon be the proud new owner of a three year old car!

Oof!

Yesterday morning the weather was just absolutely foul and there was no way I was going to cycle to work. I took the car instead and how lovely it was, being nice and dry. I was nearing work and waiting for some lights to turn green, when all of a sudden: Bam! I had been hit by the car behind me. I slammed forward and just about managed to hit the brakes before hitting the car in front of me. 

Immediately my neck hurt and a headache came up and it took me a minute to get my full bearings again. The person from the car behind came forward with his European Damage Form, but I told him, we were in the middle of a very busy road and traffic was going fast: we needed to move. We then moved to a quieter road where we filled out the form (we don't just exchange names and numbers, we go official and it takes a lot of the sting out of it).

After we had filled out the entire thing (well, the front anyway), we realised we had filled out the wrong page so after I located another one, we started afresh. Finally, about three quarters of an hour later, we could both continue on our journey. 

I had already phoned work to say I was going to be late due to an accident, so when I arrived 45 minutes late, it was not a problem. Somebody else had taken over my shift and I just needed to release him. After a few hours driving however, I thought it might be prudent to phone my gp and make an appointment to check I was okay. 

Which meant that once I had finished work for the day, I headed to my gp to get checked. Well, no whiplash (they don't use that term anymore apparently), but listen to my body and rest for a week, after which I could start again. And for insurance reasons: get an x-ray.

This morning I phoned the hospital to get the x-ray sorted and I could come almost immediately. With a hurting back, neck and head I was driven by my Dad to get x-rayed. However, once there, I was told a scan would be a better option. Off we went to the first aid department. 

Once there I was prodded by the doctor and in the end they told me that due to the symptoms I presented they weren't sure that a CT scan would be adding any new information, so they adviced me to take pain medication. I also should do things so my muscles wouldn't start to stiffen up and cause more trouble. So far the pain killers are doing their job, although hoovering, cleaning toilets or work are not going to happen just now.

There was however one other party involved in this accident: my lovely red car. After visiting the gp yesterday afternoon, I drove to the garage to have it checked out. It looked okay-ish, but I know from experience that looks can be great deceivers. I made it just before closing time for the mechanics, but they did have a look.

Basically, the rear bumper may look okay, but it has been pushed forward causing trouble for the boot, the bumper itself, the light and who knows what else. Apparently the cost of repairing all of that goes way over the value of the car which means it will declared a total loss. Which in turn will most likely mean I will have to go on the look out for a new vehicle. I will find out soon, as it is now an insurance case.

But, everything else is fine. Just so you know.

Of jobs and such

Not only did I get work to do starting this Sunday, in fact, from this Sunday I am working right through until next Sunday! No, not all on the bus (not allowed for starters), but I do have one day off where I will volunteer at the shelter. Talk about throwing somebody in at the deep end! It had better be worth it.

However, the job itself was throwing up a problem. Basically: how am I going to get there? The plan had been of course to find a job in Zwolle and cycle to work. As the job in Zwolle was a no-go, cycling would be difficult too. And public transport is out of the question as well, as I sometimes start before or finish after buses go. 

Which meant I would another form of transportation. Like a moped or a car. I have never been on a moped in my life and thought that if I were to get fouling-up-the-environment mobile, I might as well get a car. 

My very first car

On Thursday I checked the local car sites to find a car within my price range. Which is basically zero, but I might be able to get a bit more together. I found three cars below my maximum, all three of a certain age. My mum and I headed out to see two of those three cars (same lot) and check whether they were any good. 

They were both large Renault Scenic MPV's, one from 2002 and the other from 2003. The latter looked better, but they were very similar. The main difference being the odometers: 203.000 vs 215.000 kilometers (a lot a lot of miles). They were both out of my immediate price range though, so our next stop was the bank, where they were willing, but not too willing.

Today me and my dad checked out the third car. Again an older car (1998), but it looked a lot better, both on the in- as the outside. And the odometer stood at just over 103.000 kilometers! It had had one careful owner, it was virtually immaculate and it had always been serviced by that garage. They could do something about the price (thanks dad), they could offer insurance and tomorrow I can pick it up. With a new MOT, battery and two tires. 

So, if you see me scooting around in my new old car, give me a wave!

More frustrations

As I mentioned once before: Northern Ireland does NOT work. Everything you want needs papers filling out. Preferably in threefold and if possible several forms for one thing. It drives me mad after five years in Norway, where I had to fill out all my details once and after that it was sorted.

On Thursday I thought it might be a good idea to get my driver's licence exchanged. It needs to be done within a year, but preferable as soon as possible. Since I also need a new driver's card (digital tachograph), I thought I would kill two birds with one stone. 

Of course, my thinking was not the Northern Irish way of thinking. The form I originally had was for cars and mopeds. I needed one for lorries and buses. Then I needed another form (containing the exact same questions) to apply for the tiny bit on my current driver's licence that will go on another card here in Northern Ireland. And when I finally filled out the form for the driver's card: guess what: THE SAME (&%^%$&##) QUESTIONS AGAIN!!!

When I tried to hand the lot in, I was told that 'oh, you also need a medical and a police check'. Come on! My licence is 9 months old! In the end I went home empty-handed and quite peeved off at how this country just DOES NOT WORK!!! Take some lessons folk, from a country like Norway. Which works...

Anyway, the digital tacho card will be ordered soon and for the driver's licence I will just wait a bit longer and get it sorted in my own time. *Grumble grumble*

Driving around

When I first got my new car, I was told it would need an MOT before the end of July. Basically a check to see if the car is still safe and roadworthy. In the Netherlands it had to be done every year, in Norway every two years and here in Northern Ireland (and UK general) it's every year again. However, where in the Netherlands and Norway you can get it done at your local garage (not all, but most), here in Northern Ireland it needs to be done at an MOT center*. Of which there are about a dozen in the entire country. 

This morning I made my way to one of them to get mine checked. I arrived a little before nine o'clock and after a few minutes wait, I was allowed to drive in. They checked the exhaust, lights, tires, brakes, windscreen wipers and probably some other things as well. But only ten minutes later I was told: passed!

Totally unrelated, but I like the new guest bed!

After that I made my way into the office for a related yet unrelated question. As you know I lived in Norway the last five years and last December I received a Norwegian driver's licence. The law in Norway states that you can drive with an EU driver's licence until it expires, at which time you will need to renew it to a Norwegian. Which I had done. 

In the UK however, it's a bit different: I have to have my licence exchanged within a year, but preferably as soon as possible. It should not be a problem, but I will need to do some extra research before exchanging it. After all, I have about 9 months left in which to do it.

In other news: the paperwork is nearly sorted, I just need to find my hole puncher and then it can all be put in my new folders. And yes, they have butterflies on them!!

*Only in Northern Ireland, in the rest of the UK: your local friendly garage will provide the service as well.

Toot toot!

Happy belated 16th Madi!

It was Madi's birthday last Sunday and she asked everybody to tell her about their best road trip or how they learned to drive. Granted it's a few days late, but here is my story. Well, stories really...

Once upon a time, in a land far far away (England), there lived a princess (ehm, me) who wanted to learn how to drive. So, she phoned around and found a teacher who could teach her how to drive. This teacher was a soft-spoken young man (very!) and half the time the princess couldn't hear a word he said. And then one day this teacher told her that he had to stop teaching her! He was only a learner-teacher and had failed his teacher exams three times. 

My very first car: a Fiat Panda

Another teacher was found who was not as soft-spoken and he taught her a few things. Then the princess went up for her exam and failed. Completely as the second teacher had thought since the first teacher hadn't taught her enough. The second time she went up for her exam though: she failed again. But the third time she was lucky! She was finally allowed to drive a car.

A few years later this princess had moved to another far far way land (the Netherlands) and decided she wanted to learn how to drive a bus. She phoned around and found the only school that would actually teach her. Her teacher was not a young soft-spoken man. It was an old man who saw bikes and cars everywhere and stopped her so often, it was not very nice. One day her old teacher had another engagement and she got another teacher: a youngish man who put his feet up on the dashboard and told her to drive. She asked to keep him and that was fine they said.

For the bus it took a lot more than just passing a driving test. There was the technical exam (passed because the princess was a woman taking her bus test, all the princes who knew a lot more about lorries failed), the administrative exam (passed) and the rules/regulations/road test (passed). And then there was the regular driving test. Which she failed.

My coach during one of my first trips

Fortunately the princess passed the second time around, because it was really really expensive! On January 7th 1999 she had her new driver's license and she started driving a bus professionally from March 1st that same year.

More snow

When I woke up this morning, it was snowing heavily and it didn't stop for several hours I think. Which meant that roads were nearly impossible to clear and conditions in some places could get tricky. I was okay though: the bus and I took it easy and we got everywhere we needed to without too much delay.

I finished at midday and my first stop (during another bout of heavy snowing) was the physio. After that it was home. Now, to get to the house, I have to drive UP ↑ the hill. Which I did. Until I didn't. The car started spinning, the direction changed and I stopped. I put it in reverse (right into the grass), back in forward gear, but nothing. No movement. *Sigh*

Definitely not its regular place.

Since there was enough room for the other cars of the household to drive past, I felt I might as well leave the car until the snow is gone again. I won't need the car for a few days anyway. I made my way to the house and as I tried to enter, my landlord's brother came out. He had had difficulties as well, although not to the same degree) and was now going to shovel snow. 

After about an hour I thought: even though he is shoveling snow, it might freeze over later and then there could be trouble. Because if somebody tries to get past my car, gets into trouble and then hits my car... So, I decided to get the car out. One way or another. 

On with the heavy duty snow clothes and shoes and out I went. Brother had just finished shoveling and drove off (past my car, no problem) and I started the car. Within seconds the car started beeping. Seat belt! That sorted, I drove forwards. Well, I say drove, more like tried, because it wouldn't budge. Reverse was a bit easier, but still not enough movement. 

I got out, removed snow, removed some more snow and got back in. Beep beep. Oh *&^%$&^&*!! In the end the car was at right angles in the drive. In other words: no car was getting past me! And then it hit me (figuratively speaking): don't try to go up ↑ the drive, go down ↓ it! Which I managed in about three seconds flat. And because the drive had been shoveled, it was easy backing up ↑ the drive again to park the car in its regular spot. 

Excitement!

Ouch!!

As I finished work early this morning (8.30 am and I was done for the day) and drove to my physio appointment, all of a sudden, my car conked out. It just stopped! I got it going again, but at the next roundabout: the same thing. I managed to start it again and it almost stopped as soon as I had started it. Fortunately I had arrived and was able to roll into the parking lot.

After my physio appointment (ouch, ouch, ouch, my shoulders, neck and back had tensed up completely again), I started my car without any trouble, but figured it wouldn't hurt to have someone take a look at it anyway. So, I drove Cookie to my garage and asked them to have a look. 

They drove it around without any trouble (of course) and then they checked it. I think there was something with a filter somewhere and something to do with spark plugs which they both changed. And a headlight, which I didn't know was broken. 

Nearly 2000 kroner lighter I left. But Cookie should be in fine working order again...

It's ready!

And by it I mean the car. It hasn't got a name. I do refer to it as my cake tin or cookie jar, because of its smallness. Other than that it's just 'it'. And it's ready!

This morning I got out the vacuum cleaner and the extension cord, because for the first time since I have owned it, it got cleaned! First I hoovered up all the little stones sand what? in the boot. Apparently I had spilled some cat litter at some point and it had taken up the moisture in the car and then decided to stick to the floor. I got it out though...

Then it was the turn for the backseats and front seats (why is backseat one word and front seat two?). Taking out the mats and getting rid of several years of pebbles, sand, dirt and other assorted ickies. When I was finally finished with the vacuuming (is that even a word?), I decided to get even more radical. 

I got out the bucket and filled it with soap and water! Oh yes, the outside was up next! I sponged and soaped and the water got blacker and blacker. But the car looks shiny and fresh again. It won't for long, knowing the weather here in Norway, but I feel pretty chuffed over a morning's work. 

The car is ready. Now me...

Snow

The tires in their bags. Good thing I have a small car with small tires!

In Norway it is usually a good idea to change your tires from summer to winter and back. The thing was though: it had been quite warm up until last week and I kept on forgetting about those round things at the bottom of my car. But on Saturday I decided I would get it done, because cold weather was forecast. 

So, after hauling all the tires from my basement to my car, I made my way to the tire-center. I had to wait about half an hour, but then it was my turn. He was finished putting the tires on in less than 10 minutes, so I was happy. And the cost was great as well. 

The best thing about it though? I had my spiked tires on right before the snow started. Don´t go thinking it was a 10 centimeter load, it wasn´t anything of the sort. But it was white and came from the sky and it was snow. Because it is quite cold at the moment, the snow is still visible and yes, that was the amount we got!

As to the spiked tires. I don´t really need spiked tires where I live. It mostly rains during the winter and I only go as far as work and back with my car. But they came with the car when I bought it and they were still good for at least two winters (this being the second). 

By the way, did you manage to have a look at my give-away? And what about Brom´s give-away? Why not head on over and enter your comment at either or both of those posts and have a chance of winning one of the desk-top calendars!