Cover note - check
Sat Nav - check
Ridiculous story so that Stu doesn't know we're off to buy a bus - check
Told him that we were going to Harrogate for 2 reasons: 1, we wanted to see the ceiling in the Town Hall ballroom and, 2, it was a Strictly Come Dancing day on where we could have a go. Not sure which is saddest really - that he believed we (his cool hip with-it parents - yes, I know) would be interested in a day out like this, or that he's so easily deceived. It's entirely possible that he saw through my bullshit and he just played along - whatever. We crossed from Lancashire onto the dark side and made our way to Harrogate. Pretended I was lost as I turned into the correct street, parked up, "Oh I'm lost, I'll knock on this door & ask directions", "Stu - this guy wants to show us something"......could this sound any worse?
Anyway, I can't describe how good it felt to see his face when he saw the bus. Sometimes the years fall away & he's a toddler again - like I say, I can't explain it.
Bus was just as advertised, solid as a rock, runs great, inside rough & ready but that was the bit that was always going to be changed. Bought it & set off home, Ann (my lovely wife) leading the way with Zafira & Sat Nav. Picnic in first lay-by we could find, sandwiches, coffee, plans & dreams
Adventures on the way home. To say first gear is challenging to find is an understatement. Could be me not having the knack yet, we'll see, but I think we'll have that looked at as No 1 on the job list. Next thing was fuel - how entertaining was it to manoeuvre an unfamiliar bus that I couldn't find 1st gear in around Skipton on market day trying to find a petrol station. I'd also left the Sat Nav set to shortest route so, following Ann (my lovely wife), we set off on a magical mystery tour over moorland roads that stretched my patience/competence with the gearbox to the limit but eventually we made it home. The front door is half blocked by the great red beast on the drive, and as I type this, Stu is sat in it with his mate playing tunes on his iPod. Thanks Stu - you make everything better. Ann - you're the one who turned me round & everything that is good about me started with you. You're going to like this bus but not as much as I will.
So that's it, 13th November 2010. The day a dream started to become real. One day this will all be 10 years ago & I'll wish for the time again but for now I'm glad today is over if only because there is so much to do and look forward to tomorrow
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