Pat’s Point of View

Today is exactly one year after Jenn and I got married. We spent the night at the Sebel in Manly, where we also spent our wedding night (although it was the Radisson then). We also went up to St. Patrick’s estate where we actually got married.

It’s looking very nice and tidy up there, despite ongoing building works nearby. It even looks like they cleaned the exterior of the buildings, probably for Nicole Kidman’s wedding :)

A lot has happened in the last year, and it feels like much longer, but we’re looking forward to many more years together.

By the way, the photo above was taken using the brand spankin’ Canon EOS 350D that I gave to Jenn as an anniversary gift. OK it’s not paper, but she was happy enough.

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The car saga has ended—today we bought a car! A 2003 model Subaru Impreza RV, and a very tidy example too. Excellent condition, stock standard, low KMs and a good price.

I spotted it on the internet yesterday and emailed the dealer, looking for his best price for a quick cash sale. He rang back this morning and suggested we come take a look. Despite having to catch two buses to get there I managed to drag Jenn along, but she insisted “we’re not buying anything today!”. When we got there (Tom Kerr in West Ryde) it wasn’t long before Jenn was hooked and demanded a test drive. She gave it a good work-out and we decided it was a great find.

Although Jenn didn’t negotiate in her usual manner (ie the salesperson won’t get fired this time) we negotiated a good deal and walked away with a car. We pick it up on Wednesday. They even lent us a car in the mean time, which saved us from further bus-bound torment.

The RV is perfect for us: lots of room, sporty styling and performance, AWD for the snow/country trips and reliable Subaru quality. And we couldn’t have found a better example, it was like a brand new car (minus the ugly grill Subaru have added to the 06 Impreza range).

We’re very happy :)

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Last weekend Jenn and I spent five days in Melbourne. I had to go down for work (to run the Scott Berkun workshop) so Jenn came along and we extended the weekend to see my brother and his family.

We spent a bit of time relaxing and wandering around the city, which thankfully had some lovely weather—unlike Sydney where it rained for the whole time!

But most of our time was spent with our nephews and nieces, whom we haven’t seen since our wedding and not too often before that. It made us want to start a family of our own :)

My photos are now up online.

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I can’t believe it. Jenn now has her own blog!

www.gurtle.com/thetoe/

You’re so cooool honey :)

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In a sudden (but not unexpected) turn of events, we have decided to abandon the search for a really small car as reported in previous posts. After looking at more vehicles and baby buggies (just planning ahead) we decided these smallest of cars won’t hold what we want over the next few years.

Indecisive? No! To borrow a naval term we’re simply bracketing our target :)

So we’re back looking for something bigger, but not too big. A mid-sized hatch. So we’re slap bang in the middle of the biggest and most competitive segment of the automotive market! We need to narrow it down a bit before I short-list it, but we’re talking Astra, Corolla, Pulsar territory. Used, since buying new was just a pipe dream.

Unlike my friend Martyn, I don’t think we’ll be looking at a Mini Cooper or MX5….bastard! :)

Stay tuned, looks like this is going to be a saga.

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I have had a bit of a re-think regarding our first family car, a family truckster may not be on the cards now (and the fact that petrol prices are heading towards $2 per litre has played no small part in this decision).

I’m now thinking of small practical, economical runabout that will handle some small kid-like creatures, to be replaced/supplemented by something larger in a few years. Must be 4 or 5 door, manual (but maybe CVT makes sense) and fairly cheap, we might even buy a new one!

My short list includes:

• Toyota Yaris YR 5dr
  
• Ford Fiesta LX 5dr
• Hyundai Getz 5dr 1.4
• Holden Barina 5dr
• Mazda 2 Neo
• Honda Jazz GLi
• Suzuki Swift (Suzuki’s website is quite good by the way)

Notice there are no Frenchies in that list (Citroen, Peugeot, Renault) because they’re just too damn expensive in Australia.

ps: “Dad’s car” is still a few years down the track :)

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I’m fast approaching the day which all young men dread; the purchase of a family car. Arrgh! :)

By year’s end I shall be cruising the streets of Sydney in something safe, practical and economical. I don’t mind to be honest, it’s been over four years since I had to [was cruelly forced to] give up my beloved WRX and I’d drive any old bucket of bolts right now.

Taking the wife’s requirements (including “room for family additions”) into account, I have compiled a list:

• Subaru Forester
• Honda CR-V
• Nissan X-trail
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Toyota RAV4 (5 door)

All circa 2003, and probably base models. This class of vehicle is an obvious choice for us, and for a lot of other young families, hence the explosion of “soft roaders” in recent years.

Other competitors not listed include the Hyundai Santa Fe (the 2003 model is as ugly as sin), the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute (which I’ve read bad things about) and the Suzuki Grand Vitara (which is getting so old I’m surprised they still remember how to make them).

We’re not overly concerned about performance, nor hard core off-road capability. Just enough for the odd driving holiday and a bit of dirt/snow adventures. Bit of luggage room too.

If anyone has opinions, advice or feedback on any of these models please leave a comment. OK I don’t expect a rush of replies, I don’t think anyone reads this. At least the spammers like me, they must have families, perhaps they can recommend a car? :)

Now, back to thinking of a way to convince the Mrs that 20″ chrome wheels and twin 15″ subwoofers are valuable additions to any “baby-mobile”.

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Well we’re back! Back in ol’ Sydney town.

It’s been a whirlwind adventure for the last two months; travelling through Italy, spending time in Malta, back to London, then on the plane to Sydney via Hong Kong.

We’ve been back to for almost a week now but I’m still getting adjusted to the time zone and to my home I left so long ago (ok so it was only 3 years!). It’s very strange how things seem familiar but also so foreign. And so spacious! Just driving down any old street was wierd becuase they seemed so wide and there was so much space. I thought walking around the city would be strange because there would be so few people (compared to London) but that wasn’t that noticeable, what struck me was how small the CBD is! It’s only a few streets wide :)

I’ve already started looking for work, but until I get my head straight that’s not going to be a serious effort. Right now it’s a matter of getting adjusted, catching up with people and finishing off planning for the wedding.

I’ll get some photos from our extra long holiday up ASAP.

P

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