What's made you smile today?

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Ha Hah Ha. Who are you kidding........ Mrs A.R.K. will already have secret plans for super storage, sewing rooms, coffee mornings and has been spotted sitting in the car after work, staring into the mirror practicing her stern face and intimidating ways of saying you cant bring that in here. Rumour has it signs are on order saying Restricted Area, No oils or fuels allowed etc. and that she bought an internal washing line in the sales.

Seriously though good luck, make sure you have a thorough last minute check before you go, its maddening when you realise you left something behind. Its 35 years since we last moved..

PS has she started throwing stuff out yet..."we dont need that old thing....

Yup. My garage is shelved all round the walls and above the up and over door. The space above that door is all full of stuff like unneeded Tupperware containers, spare kettles, etc, etc. I managed to rid her off the idea of a washing line by convincing her that brake dust etc was highly toxic. She settled for a retracting one in the utility room.

Me too, We have a triple garage but its unfortunately in line with a slightly oversized door. All three Pandas fit easily and theres room for rocket building etc. When we eventually downsize I will have a very big problem storing stuff. Or just getting rid, ladders, scaffolding tower, power tools, garden tools mowers etc.

Apart from when we lived in flats in London, we've always had a house with a built in single garage. The exception being the bungalow we moved to on our return to Scotland which had no garage at all when we moved in. I built a free standing brick garage at the bottom of the garden which was wide enough to full open both doors and long enough to get two medium sized cars in with space at the top end for my work bench and enough room to do something like strip and rebuild a gear box. I really thought I'd "cracked it" with that one. A nice spaceous bungalow in a small village - I'm a country boy at heart - with a big enough garage for anything I could think of doing. The dream didn't last though as a change of job meant a move back into a big city - Edinburgh - and back to a cramped single garage again. At least Mrs J was, and is, happy being as how she's a real "townie" and felt exposed and insecure out in the country. You know what they say/ "Happy wife, Happy life!"

Someone is talking about their upcoming house move somewhere on the forum this morning and all the "stuff" needing moved from their - tripple I think? - garage. It just occurred to me that at least, with only a cramped single garage, that's never going to be such a big problem for me. Every cloud etc?

 

[bugsymike]

When we eventually downsize I will have a very big problem storing stuff. Or just getting rid, ladders, scaffolding tower, power tools, garden tools mowers etc.

Not a problem for me, I have decided if my children want to inherit, they get to clear it out.

 

[Cheest]

Turbo Diesels have had @30 years of development..
Got to be very good before too much "Smog junk" upset their longevity


We are Very used to diesel engined cars in Europe.. But assumed North America wasn't so keen

How do the fuel prices compare..?

We generally have a +10% premium on Diesel sold at the streetside pump
( termed DERV.. DieselEnginedRoadVehicle- carries @70% tax on the base Diesel sold for farm and forestry work)

Diesel pick ups have been around since Dodge put a Cummins 6.7L in a 3/4 ton back in 1990. My Dad bought a 91 and loved the rattle and stink. His last diesel Dodge was a 2015 but that got totaled in an accident. It used to be that the Cummins(Dodge), Powerstroke(Ford), and Duramax(GM) were large, 6.0L to 7.3L, and only available in the 3/4 ton and larger trucks. There were some outliers, Jeep had a small 4 cylinder diesel in the Comanche pick up, as did some of the Asian imports, and VW did in their little truck. For the longest time, the only car that could be had with a diesel was from Mercedes.

Diesel cars kind of fell out of favor over here after the software stunt VW pulled with their TDI engines. There are still some diehards, but diesels only account for less than 10% of sales.

Like gasoline, it helps to shop around for diesel fuel. There are only two stations in our town, owned by the same clown, and the prices reflect it. Yesterday, in town, diesel was $1 more per gallon than gasoline. And gas was at least $0.50 higher than surrounding communities. Where I filled up last night, though, diesel was only $0.45 per gallon higher.

Diesel here is taxed differently for highway and off-road use. Highway is taxed a lot higher. The last I checked, it was around 80%. It's also dyed to tell the difference. Green for highway, red for off-road. Woe to he who runs red in a highway vehicle and gets caught.

 

[bugsymike]

You know what they say/ "Happy wife, Happy life!"

In my case having tried two, it's a case of "No wife, Happy life".
If I could have had the five children and seven grandchildren without the wives, both I and my bank account would have been much happier.
Though in fairness I do envy those where they find a true partner in life.

 

[Cheest]

One of the incidental things we noticed on our visits to your country was how big your parking spaces are compared to us here where I recon the average width of a supermarket parking space is about 2/3 the width of one of yours - although I've noticed our local Lidl and Aldi seem to have rather larger spaces? Owning a vehicle like your's would be a nightmare over here. There is one, couldn't tell you what make, which goes up the Ferry Road regularly and I love hearing it's V8 throbbing away - Think it belongs to a building company. I'd like to see a Panda parked in that space next to your's!

Maybe I can get a pic of it next to Mrs. Cheest's Renegade and my Wrangler later today.

Parking is going to take some practice because of the length. And parking spaces are getting smaller, except at Costco and Sam's Club. I ordered a pizza last night while we were finishing up the paperwork for the truck. We got to the pizza joint and I had to park in the adjacent lot because there was little room to maneuver the beast,

 

[bugsymike]

Maybe I can get a pic of it next to Mrs. Cheest's Renegade and my Wrangler later today.

Parking is going to take some practice because of the length. And parking spaces are getting smaller, except at Costco and Sam's Club. I ordered a pizza last night while we were finishing up the paperwork for the truck. We got to the pizza joint and I had to park in the adjacent lot because there was little room to maneuver the beast,

Reminds me of a customer when I was an apprentice who bought a three wheeler car with no reverse as legal requirement for his age group, drove it into his little shed, couldn't open the doors and couldn't reverse out.

 

[The Panda Nut]

In my case having tried two, it's a case of "No wife, Happy life".
If I could have had the five children and seven grandchildren without the wives, both I and my bank account would have been much happier.
Though in fairness I do envy those where they find a true partner in life.

Its all Jekyll n Hyde. When shes tidying and angrily lobbing my stuff out.... and shes saying we dont need this old thing.. its rubbish, while looking at me with a thinly veiled stare of contempt.... its one thing, but when I come in from the garden or garage and shes there with a mug of hot coffee and theres the smell of fresh pasties in the oven and a smile, its easy to forget. Im also lucky to have one of the best penny pinching spend thifts in history who makes clothes and curtains and mends things above and beyond knits bakes yummy stuff and bread each day, so I think im doing good.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Reminds me of a customer when I was an apprentice who bought a three wheeler car with no reverse as legal requirement for his age group, drove it into his little shed, couldn't open the doors and couldn't reverse out.

This stirred vivid memories of an apprentice trying to drive a Reliant Regal onto a 4 poster ramp at some speed. It threw the front up in the air so high I thought it was going to go into orbit. The poor lad smashed his face into the steering wheel and put his top teeth through his lips - lots of spectacular blood leaking everywhere!

 

[bugsymike]

but when I come in from the garden or garage and shes there with a mug of hot coffee and theres the smell of fresh pasties in the oven and a smile, its easy to forget. so I think im doing good.

In my case I got more hot drinks from my customers (plus glasses of whiskey in some cases) than my last wife and often it would be me cooking the evening meal for the children. Even now, when youngest are over thirty they still like to come for my Sunday roast when I do it.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Maybe I can get a pic of it next to Mrs. Cheest's Renegade and my Wrangler later today.

Parking is going to take some practice because of the length. And parking spaces are getting smaller, except at Costco and Sam's Club. I ordered a pizza last night while we were finishing up the paperwork for the truck. We got to the pizza joint and I had to park in the adjacent lot because there was little room to maneuver the beast,

Sounds a bit like a Panda 100. You really had to concentrate when parking. You feel such a dunce when you need 3 attempts to park a tiny little car like that. Turning circle of a 10 ton truck!

This stirred vivid memories of an apprentice trying to drive a Reliant Regal onto a 4 poster ramp at some speed. It threw the front up in the air so high I thought it was going to go into orbit. The poor lad smashed his face into the steering wheel and put his top teeth through his lips - lots of spectacular blood leaking everywhere!

Cars ready for collection madam, we noted a slight steering issue. BUT WE HAVE GIVEN IT A COMPLIMENTARY VALET!

 

[The Panda Nut]

Maybe I can get a pic of it next to Mrs. Cheest's Renegade and my Wrangler later today.

Parking is going to take some practice because of the length. And parking spaces are getting smaller, except at Costco and Sam's Club. I ordered a pizza last night while we were finishing up the paperwork for the truck. We got to the pizza joint and I had to park in the adjacent lot because there was little room to maneuver the beast,

Sounds a bit like a Panda 100. You really had to concentrate when parking. You feel such a dunce when you need 3 attempts to park a tiny little car like that. Turning circle of a 10 ton truck in a car the size of a childs shoe.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Its all Jekyll n Hyde. When shes tidying and angrily lobbing my stuff out.... and shes saying we dont need this old thing.. its rubbish, while looking at me with a thinly veiled stare of contempt.... its one thing, but when I come in from the garden or garage and shes there with a mug of hot coffee and theres the smell of fresh pasties in the oven and a smile, its easy to forget. Im also lucky to have one of the best penny pinching spend thifts in history who makes clothes and curtains and mends things above and beyond knits bakes yummy stuff and bread each day, so I think im doing good.

Panda Nut, you could be loosely describing mine here. Very good with money, much better than me. Wonderful cook, Has given me the most wonderful family. Encouraged me to make good choices in my career when I might, with hindsight, have cocked it all up. The "scathing look" I also know only too well! We courted for over 7 years and have been married for over 50 - I couldn't train another one now!

 

[bugsymike]

Panda Nut, you could be loosely describing mine here. Very good with money, much better than me. Wonderful cook, Has given me the most wonderful family. Encouraged me to make good choices in my career when I might, with hindsight, have cocked it all up. The "scathing look" I also know only too well! We courted for over 7 years and have been married for over 50 - I couldn't train another one now!

My first one, we courted for nearly seven years, we married, bought a house I paid the deposit on and the majority of the repayments and 18 months later she went off with someone from her work and I had to pay her half the value of the house, for two years as foreman of a Mazda dealership I struggled on minus £2 per week after paying all the bills with only tips and evening work to keep me afloat. It was going self employed that saved me from spam sandwiches and black instant coffee for the rest of my life.

 

[The Panda Nut]

My first one, we courted for nearly seven years, we married, bought a house I paid the deposit on and the majority of the repayments and 18 months later she went off with someone from her work and I had to pay her half the value of the house, for two years as foreman of a Mazda dealership I struggled on minus £2 per week after paying all the bills with only tips and evening work to keep me afloat. It was going self employed that saved me from spam sandwiches and black instant coffee for the rest of my life.

Well , i do count myself very lucky. Sometimes you just cant tell what goes on in someone elses head and only find out the hard way you made a mistake. I have 3 kids all gown up and doibg ok, but no signs or liklihood of grand kids which is a pity. Lifes an odd thing!

 

[bugsymike]

Well , i do count myself very lucky. Sometimes you just cant tell what goes on in someone elses head and only find out the hard way you made a mistake. I have 3 kids all gown up and doibg ok, but no signs or liklihood of grand kids which is a pity. Lifes an odd thing!

As long as they are happy and healthy , that is all you can ask.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Ha Hah Ha. Who are you kidding........ Mrs A.R.K. will already have secret plans for super storage, sewing rooms, coffee mornings and has been spotted sitting in the car after work, staring into the mirror practicing her stern face and intimidating ways of saying you cant bring that in here. Rumour has it signs are on order saying Restricted Area, No oils or fuels allowed etc. and that she bought an internal washing line in the sales.

Seriously though good luck, make sure you have a thorough last minute check before you go, its maddening when you realise you left something behind. Its 35 years since we last moved..

PS has she started throwing stuff out yet..."we dont need that old thing....

you don’t know how close to hitting the nail on the head you are with this post

The sewing room is already planned out. And she’s mentally spent about £100k in renovations she’s planned in her head.

Thankfully not throwing things out, if anything she’s a bit of a hoarder hence needing a bigger house

 

[Cheest]

Mrs.Cheest and I have been together since 1971, married in 1974. There have been some rough spots, mostly with her trust issues having grown up with an abusive and alcoholic father along with other parents trying to bullshit her when she worked in the local school office. She can always come up with reasons NOT to do something. She can also over complicate something by over analyzing. Case in point, we're flying out to Maine next month to see our granddaughter in her high school musical. I have been booking flights, hotels, and rental cars for nearly 30 years. I can do all three for a 10 day work trip in five minutes. It took an hour to book a flight because she wasn't 'sure' I did due diligence in researching it. After all her looking at 'on time averages', 'customer reviews', 'connection times', etc,(stuff I'd never look at) we booked my first choice.
On the other hand, she's kept me on the straight and narrow. Raised our kids to be good people and great parents to their own kids. She is devoted to the grandkids and is also a great cook, though there was the recent incident with the over-salted pop corn(It hurt).

At this point, I think I'll keep her.

 

[Barchetta Bloke 440]

I went to the Italian car meet at the Departure Lounge cafe in Alton ,Hants today ,great weather ,good turnout and variety of cars ,probably about 40 cars attended , Maserati alone managed 10 cars I think , 4 Ferraris and of course I took pics .....and 2 classic Pandas

Spoke to a few people about my car and their car and car stuff in general , I probably spoke more today than the rest of the year put together .

Pics in order......Blue Barchetta.........lovely old Alfas.........2 unusual metallic blue Ferrari 308/328 ..........a Cinq........the other Panda, the owner must be on here ,he told me has 24 of them..........Amanda the Panda and an Orange ltd edition behind..........Maserati Ghibli cup ,this flanked my car with a Quattroporte other side.......very tidy Strada Abarth 130.

 

[FiatMatt94]

I went to the Italian car meet at the Departure Lounge cafe in Alton ,Hants today ,great weather ,good turnout and variety of cars ,probably about 40 cars attended , Maserati alone managed 10 cars I think , 4 Ferraris and of course I took pics .....and 2 classic Pandas

Spoke to a few people about my car and their car and car stuff in general , I probably spoke more today than the rest of the year put together .

Pics in order......Blue Barchetta.........lovely old Alfas.........2 unusual metallic blue Ferrari 308/328 ..........a Cinq........the other Panda, the owner must be on here ,he told me has 24 of them..........Amanda the Panda and an Orange ltd edition behind..........Maserati Ghibli cup ,this flanked my car with a Quattroporte other side.......very tidy Strada Abarth 130.View attachment 430896View attachment 430897View attachment 430898View attachment 430899View attachment 430900View attachment 430901

I think that Cinquecento sporting was at Auto Italia, it looks a like a nice event though

 

[portland_bill]

I went to the Italian car meet at the Departure Lounge cafe in Alton ,Hants today ,great weather ,good turnout and variety of cars ,probably about 40 cars attended , Maserati alone managed 10 cars I think , 4 Ferraris and of course I took pics .....and 2 classic Pandas

Spoke to a few people about my car and their car and car stuff in general , I probably spoke more today than the rest of the year put together .

Pics in order......Amanda the Panda and an Orange ltd edition behind..........View attachment 430901

Now, where have I seen that orange one before?
Sadly, the orange soaks up the UV and fades faster than I can polish it. Needs a good cut and polish. I'd rather drive it.