New car!

Well, while Flyingpops is finding it a bit hard to get excited (in mourning for Poppy the Beetle), I am *very* pleased indeed (I'll explain why in a minute) to tell you that on Saturday we went out and bought a new car! Meet (well, actually we haven't quite settled on a name yet, but one will come, I'm sure), in the meantime say hello to our new (super-practical) Volkswagen Sharan (probably to end up being called Bertie the Bus or similar)...

Oh joy, oh rapture...! No more - struggling with Poppies tiny boot space, no more - scratching the head deciding do we want either pram or shopping bags...no more - struggling with Thomas' car seat or popping him into it through the boot (risking personal back injury)...no more...urm....actually, that's just about all there is (in a negative sense) to say about Poppy...she has been a fantastic car, not only extremely reliable (as all Volkswagen-made things are), but just as fun as the Golf to drive, it really was only it's 3-door-ness and tiny-boot-ness that were ever an issue (and actually, even with those, we've coped very well even taking nine baby-months into account) - Poppy, we'll miss you - I know the garage man will look after you and make sure you go to a good home... ;) I also know Flyingpops will miss being the coolest yummy mummy in town, but after putting Thomas in his car seat without bending double for the first time, I don't anticipate too many *backward* glances to come...

*respectful silence + wistful gaze*

Now, the Sharan (for me) feels almost like getting Colin the Camper back (but better)...in the (rapidly approaching) long lazy summer time, we can take four of the seats out, throw in a load of cushions and the camp kitchen, maybe even the beer fridge, drive down to the ocean and *almost* be in the same position that I have been *dreadfully* missing since Thomas'-birth-forced-sale (no seat belts in the back/stranded with electrical problems once too often - neither acceptable with new Tiny Baby)...maybe we can even stop where we are, put up a gazebo, throw the fifth seat (and baby car seat) out there and blow up the air bed...Not quite worked out where Thomas is going to sleep, but it's a nice (half-formed) thought, anyway... ;)

This car really did tick all the boxes, both (sport) front seats recline almost horizontally or position you (van-driver style) with a lofty view over all you survey (and have comfy arm rests), it's got heavily tinted windows all around the back (so much so that it's rather hard to see in from outside), it's got AC (a first, for us), as I mentioned before it's got seven seats in all - each of which have a reasonable amount of leg-room) and five of which fold up like transformers, turn into little tables (with cup holders) or vanish completely (turning it into a mini-van), it's got a trip computer (which went absolutely bonkers when Flyinpops tested the (very adequate) acceleration) and hands free kit built in (one of those corporate jobs where you hear through the car stereo), those parking proximity warning things and even posh alloy wheels (another first)...! Considering the mileage (extremely low), we got a bit of a bargain...Flyingpops even managed to get free baby sitting from a greasy mechanic (while we did the test drive), the exact Parkers price guide value for Poppy in exchange and £50 off the 12 month parts and labour warranty, prompting the exhausted salesman to mop his brow and confess reluctantly "Well...you've won every round", before modifying the on-paper deal with a quivering hand (and making a nervous glance towards the office)...

Oh and of course, as it's a Volkswagen we still get in cheap to Santa Pod...Bring on the summer... ;)