2nd February 26. To Dover, Folkestone and Home

13 hours ago
3 min read

On Saturday during my time off 😁 I again, stuck lucky and recieved and alert that there was a job on the platform I use.

It was going to Dover from Aylesbury. I was heading to Folkestone on Monday anyway to collect a Kia Niro for my customer in Oxford. The second stroke of luck was the car going from Aylesbury to Dover was at the dealership I do a lot of work for. And used to be the manager there. So I am on good terms with them all. Normally collecting a Motability return on a Saturday is not possible. But a quick phone call later and the car was on site and keys available. So I took back the MG. (Which had the problems mentioned on Saturday) and collected the Vauxhall Mokka going to Dover on Monday. What a stoke of luck!

Now I could leave early this morning and drop off the Vauxhall around 9.00am .

It was going to the same dealer group as I collected from. The drive was normal Vauxhall Mokka. Fairly comfortable, but imperfect seating position, for me anyway.

Not the best media system around and for some reason Android Auto wouldn't function. So I had to make do with the navigation system on the car. Awful.

The worst part was the horrendous smell of cigarette smoke in the car. Which made me drive it at times with windows open to get fresh air.

The salesman who checked the car in was very thorough. I guess I am used to them not even getting off their chair. So I can't complain. He done a a good job and a credit to his manager. At Dover Vauxhall.

Uber summoned and a short wait for the journey to Dover Priory station. And then on to Folkestone. Where I arrived a lot earlier than expected.

So, looking at Google maps the dealership I was collecting the Kia from, was only 23 minutes walk.

What Google maps doesn't tell you, I don't think. Is how hilly , or in this case mountainous that 23 minutes walk is.

It also doesn't tell you the type of area you might walk through. One day I'm walking down Park Lane past the Dorchester hotel. And today it's this block of flats.

Give me the people in these flats any day over the residents of the Dorchester.

From here it was uphill all the way. Really uphill. My old legs thought it was vertical and a ladder was needed.

By the time I arrived at the dealer I had finished a good workout for the day.

The dealer was great. Very helpful and had some interesting cars and scooters in the showroom. Below.

The Fiat above is in immaculate condition. An original Italian car in LHD as they should be. And in the colour that many cars today are copying. My favourite ever car the fiat 500.♥️

There was a Ferrari 612 in a horrible silver colour. A beautiful car in the wrong skin.

I got a chance to have a good look around while I waited for payment to be made for the Kia .

After that interesting interlude. Down to the business of collecting the Kia Niro.

Appraisal done and money finally arrived.

I started the journey to Oxford. Collecting the Vauxhall on Saturday. Really gave me a head start today which meant I could drive back at a leisurely pace and get to Oxford in plenty of time.