I so regret getting a car. Since I purchased it about 6 weeks ago it’s needed:

• New drivers side wing mirror after somebody hit it once I was parked up outside my house (4 weeks ago): Approx £8
• Small paint repair on the passengers side after I got a scratch in either the local Tesco or work’s car park (2 weeks ago). Approx £
• A new drivers side front tyre as the one the car came with had a slow puncture (Friday). Approx £40
• Another drivers side front tyre as when I was staying at a Days Inn hotel on the M62 last night, somebody “speared” it and hence once I got home from Yorkshire it was flat. Approx £40

And those costs exclude two tanks of petrol so far (£40 each time), car insurance (£730), breakdown cover (£70) and the car itself. It’s tax is due in January and an MOT next year and I’ve still got to get it through a service (as it’s service history is unknown).

Why did no one warn me of all these “incidental” costs?

I’ve been quite busy of late doing the following things:

• Trying to care for my poorly other half
• Finding a new job (as the one working for a local web based collaboration software company didn’t quite work out as expected: it was more systems administration then development work)
• Buying my first car – a 2000 Fiat Punto mk2 1.2l Petrol car. Did you know that the Punto’s look was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro who also designed the Daewoo Matiz (another car I was considering) and more importantly a car designed for people my height (6ft 2) – the famous De Lorean DMC 12 which may be going back into production. I’d like to buy one (if I had the cash), but I’ll have to learn about the little Punto first
• I’m also trying to kick start my small business a bit – I’ve got a new website sortof up and running (it’s just finding the time to finish it) and it’s already had 3 orders with absolutely 0 promotion/marketing of it!

And that was the news in Richy World!

Congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs. “Turnwell” who got married on Friday the 9th of June at just gone 3pm. It was a marvellous ceremony and I hope my sister can make a decent man of “Moggy”

[added after comment from the bride]

Sorry, so you did – the wedding was on Saturday the 9th of June, but I actually had to be up there for the 8th to the 10th as I was Ushering (and I ushed very well ).

Wohooo! Go me! I’ve just passed my Car driving Practical Test first time with only 8 minor faults (every single one of them I knew about as I did them). Woot!

I can now legally drive on the roads of the UK all on my own (well, once I get car insurance which my other half is trying to sort out).

Go me!

Admittedly, I did think I failed (as I didn’t quite stop in time for a set of lights: I should have continued going), but still first time pass! Woo!

If you are looking for driving lessons in Leicester, I’d recommend contacting Stephen Chamberlain as he’s the guy that got me through.