This last week we purchased a 'beater' car. This cars primary use is for driving around campus. All the roads on campus are gravel, and aren't very smooth! So instead of having our nice van rattle to pieces, we thought we would get an old 'beater' car to rattle to pieces instead!
It is a Plymouth Acclaim - better known as a boat! We got it from the ex-mayor of Lillooet. They had owned it since new, and his wife still drove it to Kamloops regularly (a 5 hour round trip journey). We paid $800 for it. Probably could have found something cheaper down round vancouver, but by the time you drive 6 hours and pay for gas and have to register it to get it home, it isn't worth the time, money or effort.
This car has a few 'quirks' - like the front windows won't go down if it's wet! This was an issue for me, but Alistair doesn't have a problem with yelling through the glass at people that he meets while driving round the place!!!
The speedo only goes when it feels so inclined - haven't worked out what it's problem is yet.
The boys in the dorm aren't too pleased that we have bought it either as we can't fit as manyof them in this as we could the van. There is a mad scramble now to see who gets in it (or the boot/trunk) first! The first day we had it 4 climbed in the back seat and 4 got in the boot - the poor car couldn't handle all the weight and was dragging it's backend along the ground. In the end I had to make 4 of them get out!
Anyway, it has been good to have since now Tamzin is buzzing up and down to cello recording each day and then back down for orchestra practice in the evening. It's a bit hard for her to walk and carry her cello, so we really did need something 'beaterish' for that.
For lunch on Sabbath we invited the guys from the quartet over. They loved the sheepskin rug - I think Joel feel asleep on it! I think they enjoy getting out of the 'dorm' environment and eating food that isn't cafe food. We had a great afternoon with them. Missey took a liking to them, I didn't have the heart to tell them she isn't allowed up on the couch!
Saturday evening the students had singing/playing training with Dr. Blaylock from Oregon. He is the gentlemen that they went down to see in September - the one who trained Charlotte Church.
They had training ALL day sunday with him too - 8am till 9pm then again today from 8-12. Sunday was a really long day for all the kids. I guess I would find it pretty hard going to sing and play for 13 hours! But they all did really well.
Their first Christmas concert is this friday night, so there was pressure to get that all 'ship shape'. Then in about 3 weeks we are off to California for 2 weeks on tour where they will perform 22 concerts!
Since both Tamzin and Kyle were involved with this training, Alistair and I decided to have a day out together. So we headed over to Kamloops for the day. We hadn't been shopping there before so thought we would check the place out. It was a nice day - didn't get all we hoped done though, oh well, I guess I will have to go again.
Alistair has always wanted one of the 'coon' hats as he calls them. Lucky for me I managed to talk him out of it!!! Someone might mistake him for a coon or a possum and shoot him!
On Thursday I went down into the states and got winter tires put on the car. It was $300 cheaper by going and getting them down there. I also did a spot of shopping at Costco while down there. Food is quite a lot cheaper in the states. It was a long day though - Tamzin ditched me and decided to stay home, so I went on my own.
Well I think that about brings you up to date with us.
Remember that at anytime you can email or call us and let us know what you have been up too!
No comments:
Post a Comment