Thursday, 15 March 2012

30,000 Miles / Recently

Last night I was on the way to pick up an Indian takeaway when I realised 30,000 miles would occur on the way home. I intended to stop and take a picture at 30,000, but I think I must have forgotten with the smell of good food, and had to take the photo at 30,003 this morning.

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30,000 miles, has gone quick. So has the last two years. When I was looking for something in the glove compartment I found the breakdown cover guide, still where I put it when FTP was new, the two years free cover runs out in less than a month!

Myvi-breakdown-cover

Recently, I had not realised that the condensation of the windscreen was indeed frozen and split one of the blades when I tried to wipe the window. I called at a local car accessory shop and asked for wiper blades for a Perodua Myvi. Both salesmen said "A what...?", and then were none the wiser as Perodua was not listed in their wiper book. One of the men came out and measured the wipers. Standard blades and fittings fitted the front, and he cut a blade to fit into the rear housing, because it is a cheaper option than replacing the full arm.

I always find it strange when people have not heard of the Myvi, especially in the auto trade; because, I do not think there is anything much else out there that offers such good value for money. I find it hard to believe that according to the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders only 543 Peroduas were sold in the UK last year! Although that is higher than total Proton sales, who although being a much better know brand in the UK, and having four different models, only sold 446 cars last year.

Thursday, 23 February 2012

Kent Close, Northampton.

A few weeks ago I had to collect something from Berrywood Hospital, Northampton. I drove out of Berrywood towards the old psychiatric hospital, St Crispins. I stopped at a temporary traffic light, the whole area is a big building site, and took a picture of St Crispins clock tower.

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I turned towards St Crispins and found myself behind a digger belonging to James King, I laughed because I had just been listening to King James Version, some excellent reggae music by Steel Pulse.

Kent Close Northampton 2

I followed the digger for a while and found myself driving into Kent Close. Kent Close used to be staff housing belonging to the Princess Marina Hospital, but they have been empty for a few years awaiting demolition, and the building of another new housing estate. I had tried to drive into Kent Close previously, but had been unsuccessful, because I used to live at 8 Kent Close many years ago and wished to see what had happened to my old house.

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8 Kent Close, from where I had parked FTP in the middle of the close.


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8 Kent Close, front door and car port.


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8 Kent Close, across the rear garden.


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8 Kent Close, from the side.


The layout of Kent Close, and its houses is unusual, land did not appear to have been at a premium, and the houses are a strange wedge shape.

kent_close_northampton_from_ above

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FTP parked on Kent Close


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Most houses had three beddrooms with one upstairs, but there were a few bungalows.


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A very nice couple and their daughter lived at this one.


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There was lots of safe space for children to play.


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Looking towards number 8, as I left.


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The New Nurses Home!


Whilst life was difficult during my time at Kent Close, I have many fond memories, and believe it was a great place to live, especially for children. It seems a shame it will all become another housing estate, like the one built just above it:

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Finally, FTP and myself stopped of at Chapel at St Crispins, as we left.

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Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Sometimes...

Sometimes the boot is full of computers, when you see someone has cut down a tree on your way home...

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...theres no alternative but the front footwell!

Sunday, 12 February 2012

Ice Crystals

Went to drive FTP yesterday and he was covered in ice crystals:

Ice_crystals_on_myvi_1

Ice_crystals_on_myvi_2

Friday, 2 December 2011

First Frost

This week we have had the first frost of the winter - I nealrly missed the train to work because I was not expecting to have to scrape FTP's windows. Also this week Deece uploaded summer holiday pictures from her camera, and so I thought I would share a picture of FTP in the North Yorks Moors, and a road sign to Fryup. Summer Fun.

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Fryup_in_two_miles_road_sign

Tuesday, 8 November 2011

OK Diner, Fox Inn, A1

For several weeks the in-laws health has been our main priority. Fortunately, the father in-law has come out of hospital and we were able to take him out for a meal on Saturday. We went to the OK Diner, Fox Inn, on the A1. We had a very enjoyable meal, and I took this photo as we left.Photo0008We had actually paid!

Friday, 7 October 2011

Lightning Never Strikes Twice - But Vandals Do!

When FTP was but a week old someone kicked his drivers side door mirror off.

A week ago we found someone had kicked off the replacement mirror. I photographed the mirror hanging by its electric cable and then made the car OK to drive. I ordered a replacement which took a couple of days to arrive, and then put the new mirror on. I photographed the whole process on my Archos Android based MP3 player.

Then I unplugged the Archos from the PC without un-mounting it and lost all the photos!