12th July 25. Barnsley

One job today. Collecting a Vauxhall Astra from Barnsley to come back to Aylesbury for my regular customer.

An early start to arrive in Barnsley as close to opening time. Means an early walk to the station and seeing a very early riser. In a hot air balloon over Aylesbury.

I imagine the view is amazing. But you will not get me in one. Ever.

No thanks

Arriving at the station for the 5.27am start of three changes, arriving in Barnsley for 10.02. then a quick and cheap Uber to the dealership

The only downside is the 40 plus minutes wait at Princess Risborough station. Not so bad in July.. but a long wait in the cold of winter.

Once at the dealership I had to go through the ordeal of nobody wanting to help a mere driver. Actually that's not fair. I imagine this lot are as unhelpful to paying customers. I know the sales team I had , half of them avoided customers at all costs.

I was eventually given the car. Which did exist after all. Amazing.

2021 Vauxhall Astra.

The Vauxhall Astra was as you can imagine not the most exciting drive back to Aylesbury. Being a four year old car with 10 year old technology was one downside. It actually drove ok. And maybe I'm looking at this through nostalgia tinted glasses. But it didn't drive like a 1982 Astra. I remember them being rock solid. Suspension and seats too. But great fun.

This one is a bit soft seats not a hard . Comfortable enough but not ones that hold you as you go round a corner flat out. Flat out in this is just winding the seat down for a kip.

It drove well enough to get me to Aylesbury safely and that's all I need today.

Astra front. Hmmmmm

I suppose unlike Astra's in the 80s these are now mostly Motability registered. How the car world has changed

Job done arrived at Aylesbury dropped off the car and walked home in the sunshine. Another hot glorious day. Will we pay for this long sunny dry summer come the winter?