Fitting the Bill

Since Dad's problem this year with losing some mobility, he has been unable to drive, a quandary in that now more than ever, getting around is helped greatly by having one to hand.

Mum briefly stopped driving just over a decade ago as dad had bought a bigger car she did not feel confident in, before buying herself a tiny little hatchback as a runaround. She never drove any great distance until Dads extended stay in Salford Royal Hospital and was pushed even more out of her comfort zone when he was transferred to Southport for rehabilitation.

The longer trips forced her into increasing her experience and along with that came new found confidence. Dad's car is currently having a minor bodywork repair done before going up for sale and Mum has begrudgingly decided to change her little Peugeot for something slightly bigger - the benefit being to be able to fit Dad's walking aid in along with being able to carry a passenger in the back.

The top of her shortlist was Toyota's Yaris with it's 5 seats and larger boot (US trunk) hopefully being roomy enough. According to various motoring publications it isn't the most spacious in the luggage department but the size & proportions of the car aren't too far removed from what she has now which obviously appeals.

We visited a local dealership where she took a short test drive. Being a hybrid the car is an automatic and whilst anyone who is used to an auto will attest, it's much easier to operate without a clutch pedal & gearbox to faff with but that makes it even more unfamiliar so she took her time.

We returned a few hours later with Dads walker, as whilst the tape measure told us it would fit, it looked like they would still be folding the back seat down partially. Happily this put Mums mind at rest.

We discovered that the walker would fit in with just the narrower section of rear seat folded which gave not only more rear seat room for a passenger, but also left more useful luggage space in the boot.

Even better, if the handles of the walker are unscrewed to reduce its size further - not much of an inconvenience if for example they are travelling a longer distance - the walker will fit entirely in the boot with room to spare for a suitcase and also leaving the full rear seat free too.

(I think she will be shopping for a Yaris soon)

Afterwards I hung out some washing and Shadow escaped yet again through a gate left open(!) so the lawns got a trim until the errant Jack Russell eventually reappeared just in time for her tea.