The Trip

So, Sunday in September, me and Bob drove down to somewhere south of London within the M25.
I'd printed of the handy checklist I'd found on talbotoc and on the way down we discussed all the things to look out for. However, saw "the van" and fell in love on the spot! I took it for a test drive and although I've driven other vehicles with the long gear stick, I admit I drove like an absolute muppet. The owner must have wondered what kind of idiot was buying his van. A completely green one I have to admit!! All the good advice given to me by talbotoc went out the window, things like check underneath, look for rust and dents, listen for engine noises etc, and the deposit was handed over with a date made for the following Sunday to pick it up.

On the way back up the M40, the name "Maisie" popped in my head and I knew that no matter what, there was no turning back.

Once home it was a question of getting the tape measure out to see if she'd go on the drive, which fortunately she would.

A week of questions went by, with the doubts and questions like "what have I done?", "we've already got a caravan", "think of the expense" etc, filling my every waking (and sleeping) moment!

Sunday came and another long trip to pick Maisie up. The trip back up the motorway was calm and pleasant. I was so high on excitement that I completely forgot the way home and ended up going round the M25 the wrong way, thereby going over the Dartford Bridge. She drove like a dream except for the times that the muppet behind the wheel couldn't change her gears!

We drove straightaway to a friend's garage (MOT authorised) for him to give the once over and a service.
I was shocked when I picked her up the following day, to hear the words "I wouldn't drive any futher that you have to. She's not safe". To stunned to say anything, I took the report he'd written, and left. I was gutted. It appeared that I'd bought a box on a chassis full of holes and rust.

Undaunted, I took her for a second opinion to a recommended garage and the verdict there was "she's an old girl, and a Talbot (known for their rusting chassis) but she's not bad. Go and enjoy her".
Unfortunately the seed had been sown by the first verdict and I spent the following 9 months, driving her very gingerly.