Secret Santa - bang on!

 It's the time of year I used to dread at my previous company...  The dreaded Secret Santa.  Because it was very rare that I actually got anything I liked...  Think I only managed it 3 times in the 18 years

I was there.

But not here.  Both times the gifts have been bang on for me - last year was a "Voodoo doll" - and don't mind admitting that gets used when someone really annoys me.

This year - perfection.  I'm known for my love of Carnivorous plants (my computer background is a Heliamphora specimen that I saw in Kew Gardens (The Princess of Wales conservatory has a collection of carnivorous plants I would have sold a very good friend for glue to have!)

So, this year I wasn't too worried...  But opening my Secret Santa left me speechless.  Simply because it was the *last* thing I expected....

A pair of socks.  Not just any socks - they're from Dolly Cool....

Yes - they have Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors. And considering I grow Venus Fly Traps, they're perfect.

So all that remains for me to do is say "THANK YOU SECRET SANTA"

Ah well, guess I should call this quits - I'm on lunch and need to eat.

Back when I get chance....

Karen

I gave no thought to wisdom
It all but vanished in the haze
This fragile hand of fortune
Had changed and turned it all to grey

Cameras replacing mirrors blamed for spider housing crisis

I make no apologies for posting this - it's had me laughing when not much else has made me smile recently.

Enjoy.

Karen

When things never happen like you wanted
Dark nights always keep you in the shade
Some words would be better left unspoken
No joke there’s a price that must be paid

‘No one thinks of the little guy' says friendly neighbourhood spider.

TopGear.com's roving correspondent, Cory Spondent, with his mostly incorrect exclusives from the world of motoring...

The rise of cameras replacing wing mirrors on EVs has triggered a housing shortage for spiders, it is claimed, with the number of eight-legged stowaways in sharp decline.

Cameras - which are typically sleeker than traditional mirrors in order to cut aerodynamic drag - don't offer enough surface area on which to anchor a harmless-yet-unsightly cobweb.

Wide-angle lens cameras also tend to be entirely sealed, meaning spiders have nowhere to hide while you dismantle the web on your 1.0-litre Corsa that will be entirely rebuilt by tomorrow morning.

"I thought the advent of auto-folding mirrors was bad, but this situation is much, much worse," explained a spider, who asked to remain anonymous. "It's getting harder and harder to find somewhere to live.

"Manufacturers don't seem to realise we need simple, affordable housing, not this luxury stuff that only the top one per cent can buy. Where are my hundreds of eggs going to hatch?"

"Eventually we're just going to have to move into your car proper: under the seats, hanging from the headliner, inside the instrument binnacle,” it added, before whispering: 

“We could be anywhere.  Like the sound of that? Huh? No. Now spec that Ioniq 5 with real mirrors like a respectable human being and we'll consider the matter closed."

The wheel bearing - AGAIN

What was I thinking?  Those idiots that serviced my poor little 208 in September last year have made a real mess of my car.  The driver’s side wheel bearing has now been replaced, but it looks like they managed to make a real mess of the car.

I was asked if I had any suspension work done…  Yes – when the idiots allegedly dealt with the passenger side wheel bearing and wheel hub.  Well, it looks like they fitted the wrong one to the car.  So, it’s got to go back to the garage that has replaced the driver’s side bearing and get the passenger side sorted out.

The garage is going to strip the car down and take lots of photos for me, so I can blast Peugeot customer service about the idiots – and I will *never* let them near my poor little monster again.  

The so-called main dealer here in Banbury is a garage I would recommend – TO AVOID LIKE THE PLAUGE.

I’ve still got work to do, so I’ll call this quits for now.

Back when I get the chance / my temper has improved….

Karen

Like a broken wheel stops turning

You ain't going nowhere

Now you've got to heal that burning

Or you ain't got a prayer

Like a broken wheel

The verdict? A wheel bearing.

I've taken the monster to AJ Automatics and the verdict?

A bloody wheel bearing.  Not the gearbox torque converter as I feared.  The difference?  A repair bill of £250 instead of £2500.

Tony was a real gent and explained that the noise is coming from the driver’s side front, and apparently, the torque converter on the Monster is on the passenger side.  

He said that some garages would take advantage – tell me that they could sort the gearbox issue for £1000, then sort the wheel bearing.  Result? No noise and a large bill.

So, it’s back to Banbury Autos to get that sorted out.  Part of me wished that AJ Automatics were closer to home, but now I know where they are, it’s a garage to keep safe in case of gearbox emergency.

Ah well, time to call this quits – my kindle is calling me..  I’m nearly finished Ben Macintyre’s wonderful book – Operation Mincemeat.

Back when I get the inclination to put my kindle down...

Karen

When things never happen like you wanted

Dark nights always keep you in the shade

Some words would be better left unspoken

No joke there’s a price that must be paid

More problems with the car

I seem to be cursed when it comes to automatic gearboxes on a Peugeot. I know there are people who will say that this is one of the things that you expect when you drive a French car (excuse me – I know that German cars also get gearbox issues – the Porsche Tiptronic is far more temperamental than my EAT6), but unfortunately for me, I like my Peugeot.

So, I have taken the advise of the garage that told me I have an issue with the gearbox (they think it’s the torque converter at fault) and booked it into be looked at by a company in Aylesbury – AJ Automatics. 

Yes, I know it’s a way from home (just over 60 miles), but they are gearbox specialists. The only drawback is that I may “lose” the car for 2 weeks (I’ll use two weeks holiday to get this sorted – not fair to ask Mum to bring me to Banbury every day). But if they can get my little monster back on the road, I will be more than happy.  

The only thing I am not looking forward to is finding out how much this is going to cost me. But I know one thing – I doubt very much if it will be as expensive as taking it to the local Peugeot stealership here in Banbury. 

And there is no way on this earth I would let *them* near the monster again – especially after the mess they made of the poor little thing in September….

Ah well, time to call this quits – I’m coming to the end of my lunchbreak and the playpen is calling.

Back when I get chance

Karen

When things never happen like you wanted

Dark nights always keep you in the shade

Some words would be better left unspoken

No joke there's a price that must be paid