Something different

I first thought of this when I went on to my American friend's blog. I will come back to these tomorrow and tell you all about how I got it and what I think it was used for. I know that it is not valuable at all but I gusee nobody will have seen anything like it before. Some might say, thank god. he he.

These are obviously the latest photos of my flowers in my garden. I thought they looked appealing and it shows that spring is just about here. Fruit blossom will be on my trees very soon. The first blossom will be, I think on my plum trees. So until tomorrow.

A Phone call

I could not get online yesterday because of my young friend, well he is over 50, rang me. He used to work for me years ago and now lives in Devon. I have NO problems at all compared to him.
He told me in late November that he was moving to a 4 bedroomed house as his 2 daughters were needing more space. He hoped that the move would be in early December as they were going to USA again in December over Christmas and New Year.
Well just before they went on holiday, the home was ready, well supposed to be but gave instructions and expected all to be well when he got back. No such luck. To start, there was no cooker, and the electrics were not connected. He found an electrician on site and managed to get him but he charged him £5 for every connection he made. He did however have now full power. He contacted the builder and demanded the cooker, one came a couple of days later but was smaller and not of the quality it was supposed to be. The kitchen units were fitted badly, no carpets and the wardrobes in each bedroom were there but had not been assembled and fitted. He told me that they are just about settled but it is 3 months since they had moved in, mind you the solicitors are involved so heaven alone knows what will happen.
Now to me. Yesterday I went to THURLBY Motors to have my windscreen inspected. The man there was one of the rudest men I have met in ages. Tact was not in his vocabulary. He just looked and said in a condesending tone that it was definitely a stone chipping that caused the damage. I told him that it had been 2 weeks since I first reported this. He reluctantly admitted that he had become involved too late. He asked his colleague if the photos that Alison took, who incidentally was not there, the reply was I think not I think they have gone. I told him that I had taken photos. He then said he was going to take another photo. I said that it was getting worse. He informed me that naturally it would get worse, when frost gets on the windscreen it will help it deteriorate. I immedately told him that my car was always in the garage unless it was being used. He then got on about Autoglass. He told me that they should have repaired the windscreen as I wanted to pay. I wanted to pay? I was amazed at that statement. He added that Autoglass should have done the job as they were getting paid to do the work. To be honest, I think principle is another word that is alien to him. He took a photo which to be honest looks entirely different to the ones I took. I will try to show the photos on my next blog. It was a decent photo though as he took the car under cover in I think it was the repair shop.
He told me that he was going to get on to utoglass and if they wished to take it up further with Vauxhall he could because they were far bigger than Autoglass. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. It reminded me of when I was very young, two boys would fight and argue, the losing boy would then say. I will get my dad to beat up your dad because he is bigger than you.
Anyway I decided I had heard enough so I just left.
His colleague whose mane was Jo rang me up about an hour later and asked if Autoglass had been in touch with me. I said no which seemed to take her aback and she said she would ring me back later. She didn't but this Mr. Tim Broughton did. He shouted to me"Has Autoglass called you yet? I have given them what for." I told him that they had just contaced me and I did not like his attitude and neither did the manager of Autoglass. He then started to act a little more reasonable but the damage has been done. I will be reporting the whole incident to Vauxhall.
The manager told me that he would send a man down today, which he did and fit a new windscreen in. Unfortunately it wasn't the one who cmae before because I wanted to ask if there had been a deterioration in the windscreen.
Mind you, I have always been told that if you can't make friends don't make enemies.
But on a serious note. Surely Thurlby Motors, which is a dealership, would never want to alienate a customer, but in my caes, they certainly have. I will NEVER spend a penny there ever. Had they been polite and helped me as I think I shoud have had help, I would have had all my servicing done there. So now it has to date cost me £75 but they will have lost at least £200 of servicing, that is annually.
When the guy took the windscreen off he pointed a few things to me and advised me to photograph them, which I did. He told me that an examination of the windscreen will take place at Grimsby. Whether anything becomes of this I do not know. All I am really interested in is contacting Vauxhall headquarters, because I honestly believe that they have no idea as to what has happened. I can assure you though they will.
Now I wish to hopefully get on with my new windscreen in the car. Wouldn't it be fun if the same thing happened again? Mind you, the man who fitted it told me that this one should be O.K. More soon but not of windscreens though.

Short and sweet

Today I decided not to wait in as I have done for the last couple of days so I went to have my haircut. there was only 2 others in waiting so I did not have to wait too long.
I noticed his opening times and costs. I was fortunate as I nearly waited until this afternoon to go and have my haircut. Just as well as he closes at noon every Wednesday. The costs are £5.50 for adults, £5.00 for children under 12 and £4.00 for pensioners over 65. The price for everyone on Saturday is £5.50. Naturally I paid the £4.00. He told me that he was going to Lincoln this afternoon to buy some more hair cutters. I told him to shop around there for petrol as fuel(diesel had just increased to 1.46.9p per litre.
I came back and had my dinner. then went and did a little in the garden.
I did not mention it but the other day, I had a delivery of young trees. I planted them in pots so tomorrow, when my friend comes we will plant them in the front garden.
Late on this afternoon, I had a phone call. Yes it was from Alison about my windscreen. She told me that someone would be there tomorrow to inspect my windscreen damage to assess whether it is a stress fracture. So at least we are getting somewhere. I hope to have more positive news soon.

More windscreen news

Well to be honest, not a lot more news really about my windscreen (windshield) for a special friend.
This morning I went to the local Vauxhall Dealer to see just what has happened. I had to wait for Alison to appear at her place of work for a minute or so, but when she arrived she smiled, I asked her if there was anything positive to report and she told me there was nothing, she then told me that she had not been there since Wednesday so nothing had been done. She promised me that today she would chase up everything and that she was on my side. That made me feel a little better. She promised me that she would ring me back later today with any news.
I waited in all afternoon, what a pity as it was a lovely day, definitely the best day of the year so far.
At 5.00pm. I gave up hope and to be honest was somewhat disappointed, about 5.10pm. the phone rang. It was Alison, firstly she apologised for being so late ringing me but she had spent most of the afternoon trying to get hold of a Regional Manager but all she kept getting was the answer machine. There was one piece of positive news though. She had contacted Autoglass and they had sent her an e-mail confirming what I had told her. One of her colleagues told her that this was a positive sign. She told me that the Regional Manager may wish to see the damage to the windscreen. I told her that was not a problem.
So now all I have to do is wait, hopefully tomorrow I may have news. She did tell me though that the place where she works do not fit windscreens.
On a lighter note. I asked her what time she finished work. She said that she worked from 8.00am to 6.00pm every day. I then reminded her that the other day, there was a small flat tin with about £2.00 of loose change and I suggested that this was to help pay for my windscreen replacement. Immediately she came back with the retort that it was her wages. I just laughed. I said to her this afternoon that if the money which was in the tin was her wages, she sure was paid a pittance. Let,s hope for more news tomorrow.

Windscreen News

Now to update on my windscreen.
When I found the windscreen was cracking before my eyes, as soon as i got home I rung the help line, eventually was put through to Autoglass. Once I explained what had happened they suggested I go to Grimsby for them to inspect the damage. I informed them that it was too far. They then asked if a Vauxhall garage was nearby. I told them there was, so they suggested I visit them to see what they would do. The young lass took a photo of the windscreen. So I left and waited.
About 4 days later which included a week end I went back only to be told that the Company told me that it was NOT a stress fracture but stone damage. This didn't surprise me at all although I was convinced it was a stress fracture.
I went home and rung my insurer up. I was told that after the questions I would have to pay the £75 excess charge. I agreed so after questions about the style of windscreen I then paid by debit card and was told that Autoglass would be contacting me. This was on Monday
Within 20 minutes the phone rang and a guy introduced himself as Andy. He asked me a few questions about the windscreen then asked me if the damage was caused by a stone. I told him I was sure this was not the case. Then he told me something that surprised me. He told me that they would NOT fit a new windscreen if the damage was caused by a stress fracture. Asking me my mileage and I told him 300 miles he then said that they had to give a 3 year warranty on the new windscreen and they were not prepared to risk that because the same thing may happen again in another 300 miles. He would however send a man to fit the windscreen if it was a normal break. He gave me a time for the next day of 4 hours.
Well on Wednesday afternoon the guy came. He told me that he had been told to inspect the damage to see if it was a stone that caused the damage or whether it was stress or a faulty windscreen. It didn't take him long, he said he would not be fitting a windscreen as it was stress related and told me to go back to the garage give them the Autoglass telephone number and they would explain the damage to them.
Off I went back to the garage, went in and explained what had happened. The lass asked me how they knew that the damage was not done by a stone. I just said to her experience, they inspect thousands so should know what is what. I told her that I would call again early next week for a definitive answer. So as far as I was concerned that was that.
Early this morning, Friday, Andy rang me from Autoglass enquiring as to how I got on. I told them that I had heard nothing since I saw them on Wednesday afternoon after the Autoglass man had left. I went immediately to the garage. He then told me that he was surprised that they had not agreed to do the work. He told me that they would make money out of doing the job as it was covered by a 3 year warranty. He then informed me that he had cancelled my contract and that a refund of £75 would be given to me.
I told him that I would keep him up to date as to what was happening and I had also given them their telephone number. He told me that NOBODY had contacted them. I am not surprised. I guess I will go early next week and give an ultimatum. The work is done or I shall go to Trading Standards and seek some sort of compensation for the time I have spent trying to get something done. Oh well that is life I guess most things never run smoothly. Of course I will keep all informed as to what happens next.

Springtime?

I like polyanthus, they are the first signs of spring, unfortunately the blackbirds will pull the flowers off if you don't protect them

A few more polyanthus with some heather.

The daffodils are south facing so are out a little earlier than others in my garden. These photos were taken a few days ago. Since I took them the weather has been dull and cold.

A couple of photos in my greenhouse this shows a few shallots and a few broad beans, potatoes on the left

These are of my new potatoes, I will have to watch for frosts as they are well advanced and should be ready in about 6 weeks or even less.
Tomorrow I hope to give an update on my windscreen.

Purchasing a car.

Yesterday I felt a little under the weather but thankfully today, I feel somewhat better.
I have not forgotten about my windscreen, certainly much more about this shortly.
To be honest, I can not understand why people go to a dealer when they want a new car.
What I tell you now is true. To be honest everything I have written is the truth.
The garage where I went to purchase a Peugeot is no longer in business. I am certainly not surprised at all.
I originally had a Hyundai Coupe 2ltr. The cost was £16500. I had wanted a sports car again for ages but my Mother was an invalid and getting worse. My Sisters didn't take her out much so it was left to me when I went over to see her each week to take her out. She did appreciate it very much. Anyway she went into a care home and I knew she would not be coming out so I bought the Coupe.
I hadn't had the car a year when I had to have an operation. I then found it very painful to get in and out of the car. I decided to look around for another car. I had a Peugeot 206 turbo diesel and it was great and also economical so I decided to go to Louth about 20 miles away to see what they had in stock.
Anyone who has been to Louth will know it is a quaint old fashioned town. I called in to see the Peugeot garage. This was about 13 months after I had the car. The mileage was less than 7000 and I had just had it serviced, almost £200.
A mature salesman came to meet me and asked if I was interested in purchasing a car. I told him yes so he asked me what sort was I after. I told him a Peugeot 207 G.T.. He immediately told me that he had nothing like that in stock, I didn't expect him to have it anyway. He then asked if I had anything to trade in. I said yes and he asked me what sort of car I had. I pointed to my red Hyundai. He immediately was taken aback. He told me that there was no way he could give me a price as it was too posh for the area and all they would be able to do was to trade it in. He then told me that the 207 was a lovely car, he had driven one and it went like shit off a shovel." I said I could expect it to move as it was 150bhp. The cost was approaching £14,500 but he would have to ask his boss about the price he would give for mine.
I guess he was the owner/proprietor and was talking to this man. He didn't seem to be in any hurry and after about 15 minutes I was about to leave when they both go up and the guy left. He came over to me with about as much interest as a man going to the dentist. He gestured and said to me. "You have a car to trade in then." I told him that I had, it was 13 months old fully serviced and had done less than 7000 miles. I pointed it out to him, he didn't go to have close look, just said to me. "All I can give you is £8500. I just said to him. I am buying a brand new Peugeot 207 G.T. costing £14,500. You will make at least £3500 on that. It seems to me that you also want to make the same on my old car." He just reiterated that the price he gave was all he could offer. I just said thank you and left. The salesman came running after me apologising at the treatment I had been given and he would try to get a better deal and promised he would ring me at my home. He did but the price was just the same.
I just thought well that's it then. I will have to put up with the pain.
A week or so later, I was on the net found a Company online offering new and nearly new cars. All pre registered. I decided to give them a call. I told him what I was after and immediately he told me that he could get the car in about 4 weeks. I then told him that unfortunately I had a car for sale. Told him exactly why I was selling it and gave all relevant details. He asked me what I was looking for. I told him what I had been offered. He asked for my phone number and promised to call me back. Within 20 minutes the phone rang. He then told me that if the car, was as I described he could get me £9000. I then told him that I would like leather seats in the Peugeot. He then told me that it would be 2 months but the price would stay the same for my old car. By the time all was done. I saved in excess of £2000 by using them and had leather seats. It was over 2 months but the price was not reduced by the delay. I didn't bother to go and tell the Salesman as he seemed a nice guy. More soon