I always thought I'd be a grown up when I grew up

I had forgotten how bad the traffic on the M6 can get on a Friday evening; it took 4 hours to get home. Still, I've found out (a) how to open my boot, (b) the 323 has the same gearing ratio as the Astra, and (c) the M6 Toll rocks.

Lillian's 80th was pretty quiet, but then she is the youngest of the grandparent / great aunt generation, so an energetic knees up was always going to be unlikely. I seem to have trained everyone not to ask why I don't have a Nice Young Man (or indeed, any other variety) as the usual flood of personal questions were absent. Chrsitopher (cousin no. 2, last measured at 6'3" before he got too tall for anyone else to reach that far) wasn't there, as he's just got into Southampton Uni's Second Eight and had rowing practice. Still, I have a picture of me standing next to Julia (cousin no. 1) and looking decidedly hobbit-like.

It's the first time I've driven the 323 further than the shops & back. It's - ok. Nothing special. It's more sensitive than the Astra, but that isn't surprising (being 8 years younger). It has better fuel economy and better visibility. It's still just a 5 door hatchback. The happiest it made me was seeing John's 5-series parked next to it and realising that (for the first, and probably the last, time) I have a newer car than him :)

I hadn't realised how relatively common Mazdas are up here. South of Stafford, I didn't see a single RX-8, and they're a 2-3 a day occurrence here. Mind you; house prices probably affect things quite a bit - I can usually rely on seeing a couple of 911 Carreras, a handful of Boxsters and a Bentley Continental in the average weekday, and (even at the London end of the M4 corridor) the Nice Car Count was one Noble & one Vantage, all weekend.

Dad & I went over the engine Sunday morning & I'm feeling reassured. However much I learn about cars, I'm always worried that I'll miss something I haven't been told to look out for - being persistently treated as a Girl by salesmen has had a lasting effect). All that needed doing was tightening the throttle cable a bit - the rest's lovely & shiny and in good condition.

Got home in time for Petrolheads - it was considerably better than the first episode. Neil Morrissey still needs a good slapping, but Ronan Keating's joined the ranks of Cool People in my world, for identifying an F430 from part of its front spoiler :)

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It's Not Fair (part 1). I have 7 years protected no claims, I've never had an accident, and I'm a 30-something chartered accountant (that's isn't the Not Fair bit). Why is my insurance still £500 pa, even after applying internet and AA membership discounts?

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It's Not Fair (part 2). If I'm going to have X-rated dreams about TV presenters, please can they be attractive ones next time?