Mincey

She may need it: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/cars/article-11239981/So-Liz-say-howdy-Audi-PM-forced-ride-German-car.html

Congratulations! I am sure that you will have many happy and enjoyable miles ahead of you.

You are a wise man Nick - congratulations!

I was rather incensed by the insinuation actually. I wonder whether the person taking my booking was new and had previously worked for a German manufacturer?

Just booked Betsy in for a service and was asked whether I wanted £16 worth of engine treatment gubbins to clear out any sludge etc. I was surprised as I was expecting to be asked whether I wanted her aircon regassing. Perhaps it's a time of year thing?

Rather handy for an ES....

Is there a colour which doesn't suit the ES?

They're as common as muck - look! I must admit, and don't let Betsy hear this, but they do look rather good in black don't they?

Betsy and I have been on a few adventures recently, so it was time to visit the local petrol station for a tankful of E10 last night. I had just engaged the filler nozzle with Betsy's opening when I heard a voice next to me. "Nice car mate!". I looked around to see a young Asian taxi driver at the pump next to me. I nodded and said "Cheers". They like their cars do young Asian lads.

Wow! So the taxi thing isn't just ipsedixitism then 🙂

The A1 from Peterborough to Stamford has a 40mph average speed camera limit at the moment. No idea why - I've been up and down it several times on weekdays and weekend and there's no sign of anyone doing any work. Anyway, I digress. This morning, on a mission to see my mother in Stamford, I hit cruise control and rubbed my eyes then thought "Hmm, let's see what this lane steering thingy does". Well, I can tell you I was quite impressed. I'd not do it normally but in a 40mph limit on a deserted A1, it was quite fun to drive along with my feet away from the pedals and my hands behind my head. Betsy maintained perfect position between the kerb and the centre white line for the majority of the drive. There were a couple of warnings to put my hands back on the wheel - I'm guessing that this was when the lines got a bit faint.

Even Time Lords have exceptional taste: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11129479/Dr-Whos-Colin-Baker-banned-driving-caught-doing-58mph-Lexus.html

There are two others which I know of around Peterborough. One red, one black. I don't think either are used as premium taxis or for airport transfers.

Sorry, time limitations mean that I cannot find the thread where I originally brought this up, but I can confirm that if you try to ignore the BRAKE! warning, your car will stop. I was reversing into a stupidly small space this afternoon when Betsy advised me in her usual well mannered way that I was on the verge of rearranging her pert, but perfectly formed and Kylie-like rear end. I though "just a little more" and WHAM! She put the brakes on. Hard. Lesson learned. When your car says BRAKE!, stop.

I've been on Gardener's World you know!

Martin Clunes of course: https://www.driving.co.uk/news/interview/mamm/motor-martin-clunes-actor-love-horsepower/

My parents had two iQs - one manual, one auto. The auto is still - touch wood - going strong and being driven by my stepson. Brilliant cars, a hoot to drive, well built. solid as a rock and utterly reliable (except if it isn't driven for extended periods, i.e. months on end, as the battery tends to go flat!)

If I may be permitted a little thread drift, there's a topic on Pistonheads at the moment "Any other brand besides Audi that went upmarket?" Lexus are coming out surprisingly well given some of the comments:

I had 10 in my non ML F Sport.

I thought this was a thread breaking the news that we would have to call the RAC or Green Flag instead of the AA in the unlikely event of one of our steeds breaking down.

Not even ****t? (and this isn't me by the way)

I've not driven a Takumi so far:

PEN 15 once (and may still) belonged to Steve Parrish, motorcycle and truck racer extraordinaire. Many moons ago, I went karting with some chums at Hoddeston and we saw said Steve with his black Merc (if my memory serves me accurately) in the car park sporting the rather naughty numberplate. Being young, we tittered and pointed a lot.

I love Betsy to bits with the possible exceptions of: The centre console lid, despite being fiendishly cleverly designed so it opens from either side, does feel a little lightweight and flimsy The boot struts can squash any large items when the lid is closed. That's about it. Other than those minor things, she's the best Premium Taxi/Airport Transfer Vehicle going. And that's a fact.

I've always thought the best bit of flying is the take off. Sitting at the end of the runway waiting for the plane to start moving and the whooooooossssshwaheeeeeeyyyywooooooooooooo when the pilot gives it some welly and you all go hurtling along and upwards into the wild blue yonder. I love it. Not quite so keen on landings when they hit the brakes and reverse thrust so hard that you feel like the lap strap is going to cut you in half.