Done what? I can here some of you say!

Well, Valerie the Van is being redeployed and is (hopefully) going to a new life meeting the needs of our eldest son and his canoeing and cycling life style. I am sure he will get far more intended use out of her than we currently do just using her as a tow vehicle and general purpose transport.

It was much to the amusement to some of our friends and horror to others when Blueyonder announced on her Facebook a couple of weeks back "Hubby's love affair with Valerie is over. She's on the sub's bench"

You can imagine some of the thoughts that were generated, especially from family members who do not know that Valerie is our T5 Van.

It has been a growing concern of mine over some months that Valerie, as our only vehicle, is no longer suited to our life style. There are a number of reasons, none of which by themselves is a deal breaker, but when they are all put together it is a different matter. For example trying to park in cities becomes a pain when height restrictions are in place or in underground car parks. The addition of Boris to our family is also a concern as he is now too big for any cage that will sit in the back to keep him (and us) safe when we are travelling, The additional charges that apply when using European toll roads (We were particularly badly hit by this in Portugal). So after 7 years and just under 50K miles (mostly around Europe) it has been decided she needs to be replaced.

Blueyonder, though accepting of the arguments and reasoning for the needs to get a more suitable vehicle, is in “mourning” for her van, but as I say this is some what mitigated by the fact that it will go to our eldest to enhance his life style, so Valerie will stay in the family!

What have you replaced here with is the next question you will ask me?

Well after much tramping round car dealerships and show rooms we have decided and placed an order. You will just have to wait until the Spring Meet to find out what we have opted for! We will be taking possesion of 'Blue' (for those of you who remember Randa's post on vehicle names) some time in March. This time I have checked and it is definitely a boy!

Clippie

Well I clicked the 'like' button but it is with a tinge of sadness.
However having also had a T5 camper pulling an Eriba with an added Labrador we know just what thought processes you have been through.

So the book is open for betting on the new 'Blue'.
Big Volvo estate? BMW X5? Audi Q? Anything not VW???

Thank you Tony. It is with a bit if sadness that we have gone down this route. However onwards and upwards, what can I say...... I will let you run 'The Book', to say anything would therefore be unfair, other than the T5 was Blueyounder's vehicle, this one is my choice (of course it had to meet the Blueyonder seal of approval)!

Clippie

I got him quite close to buying a VW Tiguan! Personally, I think he's having a mid life crisis, because he came back from walking the dog the other day and asked whether we should rethink having a caravan . I think he forgot that we go away for months and not weeks at a time and, especially after what he's just bought, hotel hopping for months on end (with a dog!) is beyond our budget!

What's wrong with a Tiguan??

Nothing at all, but he saw something he liked more!

It'll be a flash motor whatever

Quote: Clippie wrote in post #3

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Thank you Tony... I will let you run 'The Book', to say anything would therefore be unfair, other than the T5 was Blueyounder's vehicle, this one is my choice (of course it had to meet the Blueyonder seal of approval)!

Clippie

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Quote: Blueyonder wrote in post #4

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Personally, I think he's having a mid life crisis,

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Red one I think..

It would be a right laugh if he bought that rig onto the cul de sac where we live...our neighbours (with their perfect lawns, pristine borders, cars washed every week etc) would be horrified! They just about tolerate the van and caravan on the drive! (which is hardly ever washed and my lawn and borders are far from pristine lol).

Had to change my signature here, because Valerie our T5 has gone 😢 Our elder son bought it, so we'll still see her now and again 😊 By the time of the spring meet, Simon just might have worked out what all the bells, whistles and gismos on the new vehicle do 😁

I don't suppose it will take him long to discover all about it!😇