It breaks my heart to write this: but, in the next couple of months, I shall be putting Betty up for sale, once I've collected Pippin from VmanC -- which will probably be the last time I legally drive a car with a manual gearbox, before handing the keys over to my step-daughter. (Not being able to drive Pippin also hurts: but at least he will be parked on the drive, for the foreseeable future.) 
As many of you know, my health is not good (as a result of being at the receiving end of three bad road traffic accidents); and, in 2006, I had major surgery on my neck (including the implanting of much titanium, to basically hold my head on to my body... -- oh, how I wish Panda doors were made of the same stuff...!) -- mainly to correct the loss of feeling and control of my left arm, and mobility problems with my left leg.
At the time, I had hoped that it would be many years before such symptoms would raise their ugly little heads again: which is why I was so keen on fulfilling one of my bucket list items, and get myself a perfect Panda. Betty's not quite there, yet: but she is unique; and I know Vernon will make her as good as she possibly can be for whoever takes her on.
Anyhoo: the reason I am writing this is that, Thursday night (originating as an all-day 'normal' migraine, which started Wednesday...), I was taken to the hospital for the third time in a row with left-sided paralysis: caused by the damage to my neck (and probably as a result of my migraines becoming increasingly hemiplegic -- for which, because my migraines are physiological, and not inherited, there is no cure; and the preventative medicines I take have little success...).
After the first one -- which was initially diagnosed as a stroke (even though I knew it wasn't: as my dad had one (but is now, thankfully, recovered...)) -- I promised my GP (who is a saint) that I would stop driving manual-gearbox cars if these hemiplegic incidents became commonplace (which they now are...). Many GPs would have insisted that I give up driving all together -- but mine appreciates how much my independence means to me (and gives me a major reason to live); knows that I would never ignore the warning signs that precede my attacks; and would, therefore, never place myself, or anyone else, in any danger. Sooner or later, though, I probably will have to give up driving completely.
Once Pippin is safely back home, I shall give in, and resign myself to a life of automatic gearboxes. I don't know whether or not I can legally change my licence, yet -- but, if I can, I will: to remove any temptation. There is also a strong likelihood that I will need another operation on my neck: which means no driving at all for a few months -- so, as much as I would like to resurrect Hal, or find a spotless, low-mileage Selecta, my Panda plans are on hold. :bang:
I will still be a regular on the Forum, living my Panda dreams vicariously; but will drop back from attending many meets or shows -- although am more than happy to carry on organizing the friendly rabble that is Midlands Italia!
However, as I would rather Betty was adopted by someone I know, on here, please get in touch if you're at all interested; and make me a sensible offer. I may even throw in the bits and bobs I've bought for her along the way, that have not yet been fitted -- unless, of course, I decide to fit them to Pippin. I'm not interested at all in getting back the money I've spent on her -- I just want to make sure that she continues to be cherished, and gets driven. I see no point in leaving her festering in a barn, either: when all that will happen is that I get more attached to her, but cannot drive her....
I shall probably be a bit invisible, the next few days. I am supposed to be taking it easy; and not driving because of the drugs needed to render me human and symmetrical again. And, although I knew this would happen one day (although hoped it would be never), I'm just pee'd off that it happened (a) before I really got to drive Betty for any period of time; and (b) the weekend of the Restoration Show at the NEC. Big apologies, therefore, to Palio, for not being around to help.
Look after yourselves. What passes for normal service will be resumed shortly....
As many of you know, my health is not good (as a result of being at the receiving end of three bad road traffic accidents); and, in 2006, I had major surgery on my neck (including the implanting of much titanium, to basically hold my head on to my body... -- oh, how I wish Panda doors were made of the same stuff...!) -- mainly to correct the loss of feeling and control of my left arm, and mobility problems with my left leg.
At the time, I had hoped that it would be many years before such symptoms would raise their ugly little heads again: which is why I was so keen on fulfilling one of my bucket list items, and get myself a perfect Panda. Betty's not quite there, yet: but she is unique; and I know Vernon will make her as good as she possibly can be for whoever takes her on.
Anyhoo: the reason I am writing this is that, Thursday night (originating as an all-day 'normal' migraine, which started Wednesday...), I was taken to the hospital for the third time in a row with left-sided paralysis: caused by the damage to my neck (and probably as a result of my migraines becoming increasingly hemiplegic -- for which, because my migraines are physiological, and not inherited, there is no cure; and the preventative medicines I take have little success...).
After the first one -- which was initially diagnosed as a stroke (even though I knew it wasn't: as my dad had one (but is now, thankfully, recovered...)) -- I promised my GP (who is a saint) that I would stop driving manual-gearbox cars if these hemiplegic incidents became commonplace (which they now are...). Many GPs would have insisted that I give up driving all together -- but mine appreciates how much my independence means to me (and gives me a major reason to live); knows that I would never ignore the warning signs that precede my attacks; and would, therefore, never place myself, or anyone else, in any danger. Sooner or later, though, I probably will have to give up driving completely.
Once Pippin is safely back home, I shall give in, and resign myself to a life of automatic gearboxes. I don't know whether or not I can legally change my licence, yet -- but, if I can, I will: to remove any temptation. There is also a strong likelihood that I will need another operation on my neck: which means no driving at all for a few months -- so, as much as I would like to resurrect Hal, or find a spotless, low-mileage Selecta, my Panda plans are on hold. :bang:
I will still be a regular on the Forum, living my Panda dreams vicariously; but will drop back from attending many meets or shows -- although am more than happy to carry on organizing the friendly rabble that is Midlands Italia!
However, as I would rather Betty was adopted by someone I know, on here, please get in touch if you're at all interested; and make me a sensible offer. I may even throw in the bits and bobs I've bought for her along the way, that have not yet been fitted -- unless, of course, I decide to fit them to Pippin. I'm not interested at all in getting back the money I've spent on her -- I just want to make sure that she continues to be cherished, and gets driven. I see no point in leaving her festering in a barn, either: when all that will happen is that I get more attached to her, but cannot drive her....
I shall probably be a bit invisible, the next few days. I am supposed to be taking it easy; and not driving because of the drugs needed to render me human and symmetrical again. And, although I knew this would happen one day (although hoped it would be never), I'm just pee'd off that it happened (a) before I really got to drive Betty for any period of time; and (b) the weekend of the Restoration Show at the NEC. Big apologies, therefore, to Palio, for not being around to help.
Look after yourselves. What passes for normal service will be resumed shortly....
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