the Band Wagon

I’m not really a petrol-head.  A pedal-head, yes.  Ever since I was 15 years old.  I could tell you the weight of a pair of Campag track rims - and why it was important to know.  But for me, a car is just a box on wheels.  And Top Gear, I assume, is a programme about recreational drugs.  But in this particular case, this is a very good and useful box.

It’s shorter than a VW Golf but has far more room inside.  With the rear seats down, it’s been packed with guitars and amplifiers, even an upright bass, for our band tours of Germany, as well as numerous gigs up and down the country.  

With the rear seats taken out we’ve fitted our mountain bikes inside and driven round Spain and France a good few times.  

We’ve also managed to fit an Ikea Billy shelf pack, a chest of drawers and Dan’s surf board inside.  Although not all at the same time.

But these days are over, for a variety of reasons; age, change of life style and politics.

The mountain bike has gone and I now potter around the country lanes with an upright view and a much needed push from a motor.

We’ll not return to Germany - at least not to play music. Even small pub bands have been caught up in the post-Brexit row about who can and can’t play in different countries.

And for all the fun we’ve had exploring France and Spain in the car, next time, we’ll go by train.  Which will be an adventure in itself.

I shall miss this car.  It’s only the second one I’ve bought in 16 years.  We’ve had some fun together.  I hope the new owner enjoys it as much as I have.  Tomorrow (assuming the paperwork is sorted out) we jump on the electric car band wagon.