Now a Quaint One Car Household
Good news! Rachel’s car has been sold (thanks due to Dave Webb).
The best thing that could have happened to Rachel of late in my opinion (well maybe not the very best thing, I’m sure better things could happen; but you get my drift…) is losing her work car parking pass….
I’d argued for a while on and off, that we didn’t need two cars (as judged by our mileage) and that we only live half an hour’s walk from the workplace. However, the need to travel (occasionally) to meetings around the Bay meant that we kept the car. Once the matter was forced though, we proved that alternatives abound (including using the van, planning meetings around flex, working at home and getting lifts from others). The best plus though, is walking to and from work (again my opinion – as walking is not something I excel at). Importantly it’s a natural (don’t know you’re doing it) exercise and it ‘slows down’ your day.
The modest return is getting added to the trip fund. We’re hoping, if we can get the right [access] solution for the Azalai, so that we can transport the scooter and handcycle (the former at least locally) then we can sell the van too (VW Transporter, low mileage, many extras – just in case you’re in the market).
Regarding our liberation; Rachel might disagree – and maybe she’ll add her own entry to the blog….but me, I’m just appreciating the benefits! (No tax, insurance etc, and less fuel consumption to boot. Alan can now park in the drive too!)
Still QT-er than Burma
Lazy days
Still nothing really exciting happening in January. I had my birthday, and got some nice ‘luxuries’ (smellies and trousers), an Africa shaped cake (complete with camper van,thanks Pat W it was sweet) as well as a great book ‘Forgotten Voices of Burma’. My grandfather (Ken Harris, South Wales Borderers 6th Division -at least that’s my deduction) was in Burma for a good few years up until 1945, although he has never talked about it* – any attempt to categorise a modern day Africa overland as an ‘adventure’ of the same gravitas and risk would of course be inappropriate at best and an insult and at worst . (Certainly if you stick to the ‘avoid travel at all costs’ F.O. type advice.) However the book does give you a vivid (and often brutal) insight into what people can be capable of (good and bad) when under duress.
Our passports are also due for renewal – I was rather surprised that I didn’t have to included a lock of hair, some spit and a semen sample, what with all the current talk of ‘Biometrics’ and ‘anti-terror’. For now at least, the application remains (for us as renewing Brits) a simple form, photos and cheque.
* Actually I did manage to get one great line from him once when trying to get some detail. I told him I’d just watched Errol Flynn in ‘Objective Burma” on the telly. He was quiet and thoughtful for a moment then retorted, “Well if he had have been there he’d have shit himself!”.
He also has some fascinating pictures of camp life (“I was five years in a tent”) taken on a camera that they’d taken from a dead Japanese soldier. He learned to cook curry too and remains a great cook to this day. The other memory relevant is that his troopship stopped over in Cape Town, and he fondly recalls the locals coming down to the docks and giving them, “a great welcome. They gave us cherry brandy and took us into their own homes.”
QT
Flea in the Ear
Not really much to report. Needless to say Rachel was indulged in Michelin Maps, Stacking Cooking Pans, Survival Guides and the like as Christmas presents. Me, I got a micro-towel – cool!
Regarding the van, I have casually researched platform lifts and had a cursory dialogue with Anton at OEC. I’m wondering whether something along these lines might fit the bill http://pwsacc.co.uk/disabled-scooter-carriers.htm
On the positive side:
Wide platform conducive to crutches
It’s a lift
Could be used in conjunction with a portable step to avoid having to often up/down maybe (IE adjust its position so it could itself be a step)
(Domestically at least) It can be used as designed to carry handcycle/chair etc
Queries
Not sure what the fatigue characteristics would be like (eg over corrugations)
Not sure on the weight/loading effects
Not sure of height of tow bar (or whether range of lift/mast height can be ‘extended’ to give a further rise.
Seems possible…….