Spring's coming!

We paid the deposit for Fritz the van yesterday! Wo-hoo!! Will get him home as soon as I get my UK driving's licence... Ah that's a long story; most of the insurers do not want to insure me as a) I have lived in UK for less than 3 yrs, b) have a EU licence and c) have not had a car insurance before. We were getting a bit desperate already but the solution was just around the corner - by paying £45 I can change my Finnish drivings licence in a UK and then get the insurance.

So now we're waiting for the DVLA to do their business... in the mean time, I'd love to get out to the allotment to dig and prepare but the Manchester weather is showing it's true face again - rainy day after a rainy day... But at least I've got some seeds in pots now. A bit late I agree, but since we were away for Easter there wasn't any point of getting them in earlier.

Harvey then, she's well, running happily out in the rain :D

More van pics

This picture is from the back of the van (sorry I didn't take a better one of the interior...). The blue thing on the left is the water container (original Devon!), and the mattress in the back is the other part of the double bed. On the left there's a wardrobe! :D And in front the back seat which also has two seats belts!
Inside the van also has a small fridge, cooker, and running water. And some storage spaces.
And it's really spacious! I got to try to drive it yesterday and it is surprisingly easy and light to drive (with a huge streering wheel and a long long gear stick!)


Dee checks out how to open the pop up roof. When it's up
the van is feels even more spacious - you can stand up right.
And it's possible to sleep up there too!

Oh I'm so exited! Can't wait to bring him home & get cleaning
and driving! :)

Getting a van?

We have been bitten by the VW van bug! Here's the one we've got our eyes on... We've seen it now twice, and although it is at the top of our budget, we are very interested.

It's a Volkswagen Transporter 1986, with all bits inside working, and a pop up top which makes it possible to stand inside too! And we love it, well, we love HIM as we've decided to call the van Fritz.

But now, in addition of having to save our pennies to purchase Fritz, we're also having problems in getting an affordable insurance. Actually, getting an insurance at all! As I've lived in the UK for less than 3 years most companies won't insure us! And as I've never owned a car/van before, the insurances that we could get are hugely expensive... Argh!

Help anyone? Who knows where we can get an insurance from...?!!

Out digging today

We were out in the allotment today, digging and planning the layout. As Dee has her hand in bandage she couldn't do much of digging. Instead, she did a nice sign for us and some 'boundary work'. I did a lot of digging... and together we set out the main paths with strings. This will hopefully make digging seem a bit less overwhelming!

We've had the allotment site since last October and have done quite a lot of digging. But a lot more is to be done - the people who had it before us had left it quite unmanaged... And bindweed has taken it over completely! So a lot of digging and weeding and getting rid of roots to be done...

We are hoping to build some raised beds at the bottom of the site, and have some 'traditional' growing areas too, maybe even a greenhouse!

Harvey

Harvey joined us in Jan 2008 as a 9 month old kitten (very early pic opposite). She was a little shy at first, but has settled in nicely. She comes when you call her name and has loads to say when returns after a trip outside!

We're hoping to get her acquainted with 'Fritz' the van very soon.

She now weighs roughly 2.5kgs
Favourite toys include: little orange ball, woollen string and a tesco canvas bag!

She loves to sleep, cat treats and attacking toes!

She's a little more grown up now. She has gained a bit more weight since we first got her. Her facial features have developed. I'll post another few images soon.

Welcome!

Having tried this blogging lark before and failed miserably, we hope to make a better effort at this one!