Oldddudders

Alison has a Megane estate. Bought at 2.5 yrs old, w 90k km on the clock, so high mileage. 5 years later with minimal maintenance it is still going strong as a daily driver, and sailed thought its last biennial MOT despite not having been serviced in ages. Feels comfy and tight when I am a passenger, which is only occasionally so I would notice rattles etc. .

Why? My Clio estate (Mk IV not sold in UK) has now done 78k km in 7 years with only a new battery and a puncture over and above routine maintenance. Front brake discs were replaced at about 60k, I think.

Don't hold your breath, as SNCF is reeling from massive sabotage on the TGV routes. National outrage at this attempt to disrupt the Olympics. I doubt that anyone found responsible will be offered counselling....

France is awash with Dacias, as you might expect. A chap not far from me is on his second new one, which may tell us something. His is a Sandero Stepway.

Sadly the last news bulletin was more than 4 years ago, and much of the supporting material has perished in the ghastly RMweb server-swindle of a few years back, while the YouTube channel has been closed, which is ominous. I share others' wish for updates, but fear that that is that.

And the cover pic is Cranbrook, where we lived for 21 years.

I haven't owned one, but this ebay.fr advert is current and includes some pics, at least. https://www.ebay.fr/itm/186584491409?itmmeta=01J3Q1CRVRG531F71GD4TNDHGE&hash=item2b714d6591:g:7TQAAOSwAAdmnsip&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4I3YfguWTJyypy09QmkdHluatJTA80prWHl4jzNWigb9PHYtB8VMXs4vpfCWb8DJeDVOP9aQwAhenGfZcdCxvTfplWZ9GvYWI%2FLKY2PBMChrYKJsnYODmW0SP2GIGvm%2F8PaCgDy2Vr5DrWlWe9fCq0hkn4nO6pLeVAxj%2F5V8DxwZJpQsjulSORBP3p3LANAj9rtqK5iN0549LUF17XfOfdW0NIR0Av%2FrMp7d4ZWKaGrTnXIJVDaDIGK%2B9zT98IoYd0pTaa5ifnj1a%2FRiJUXzdvmJXF68DYmbqFXbjVqvidq8|tkp%3ABk9SR_iNs-GdZA

When the Sprint first appeared, everyone applauded the innovative engine and its output. But they also said the Dolomite had too gentle a chassis for such a point-and-squirt motor. That you found similarly in the less pokey 1850HL rather under-writes that conclusion.

Not the same here, where we expect a wettish day, but it hasn't arrived yet, just dreary overcast, although Alison says they had a shower there earlier. Fortunately most of the garden has been trimmed or strimmed so not much opportunity lost. I am back to UK next Thursday for a fortnight, and in the meantime must prepare for the roofing chappies to access the terrasse from Aug 5th in my absence. I still don't believe their now-written quote, but as I am a regular customer they really do have something to lose if I find I'm being ripped off. As I'm sure they will find more rotten wood than they expect, I have asked for a capped contingency to cover replacement and that is on the quote.

Gloomy Sunday - Jimmy Smith

Portmeirion, of Prisoner fame. And if driving from Bala to the Welshpool, the road over the hill past Lake Vyrnwy is rather nice.

Not an endangered species.

"Second on the left. You can't miss it. You'd better not!"

Run For Cover - David Sanborn

Events of this magnitude will always trigger responses in firms that found themselves helpless, and most of those will involve a higher profile for IT, and more work for more competent persons - as well as a few cowboys. Good for employment and salary levels.