Following on my first car, the Nissan Micra I decided the time I had come for me to change my car. I had been driving the Micra for just over 3 months, been to York in it a few times, done nearly 3,000 miles and it never missed a beat.

I had always liked Saxos, but I didn't want to take a big jump to VTR straight away, so I spotted a nice 1.4 in Persian Red about 10 miles away from home.

In the window, it was advertised for £1,495 with 12 months MOT and 2 months TAX. It was a 1999 S reg model, so I was expecting mileage to be 80k or something, but to my amazement...

Well, back in July 2005 I had my test booked for 3rd August, but was still looking at cars that I want for when I passed.

I had roughly £1,500 in the bank for a car, but I was really unsure what to get - MK3 Fiesta, Corsa B, 106 1.1 or a Saxo 1.1. As it happens, my Mums cousin was selling his father in laws old Nissan Micra and asked if I was interested. When I was asked, I instantly said NO as it would be an embarrasment but I was forced to go see and I'm glad I did to be honest.

It was a 1992 K reg Nissan Micra 1.0L Phoenix 5 Door in White complete with rust lol!...

Bought in 2001 as my first car, the AX 1.0aiiii was perfect as a learners car back in t'day.

Back in 2001 it cost the grand price of £700 on the road, £500 for insurance and cheap tax!

I started by installing a kenwood head unit, 6x9zzzz, speaker pods where drinks holders were in doors and some subs, init.

After 6 months or so of passing my test i fitted some GT alloys, stripped it out, fitted an induction kit and a straight through decat exhaust. It didn't go too bad weighing in at only 620kg or so stripped out! I got through 3 clutches and a few sets...

After doing quite a few track days i'd got bored of understeer, no matter what you do to a fwd car it will always understeer under power so i thought i'd take a dip into the RWD pot.

An E30 3 series had to be done, they are solid, they look awesome IMO, loads of parts available and they are a popular track toy. After a lot of research it looked like i wouldn't be spending £8k+ on an M3 until i'd learnt how to use RWD. 325i's were meant to be a bit unbalanced compared to the 4 cylinder cars and an Mspec would cost £4-5k for a good sport, again a bit much for a car that would get...

After years of messing around with saxos and the like it was time to get a decent car!
The Trophy is a lightweight version of the 182(proper cup shell) but instead of just using the basic cup spec they added lots of bespoke parts.

...

Having had my dream taken away from me with my eyesite issue, I thought with the time I was off for, I'de see the world, but in a different way!

Gatwick to Toulouse Blagnac:



Toulouse Blagnac to Zurich Kloten:



Zurich Kloten to Athens



Athens to Larnaca

...

Some of you may know I had my eyes tested the other day and I decided to have the extensive photos taken too.

They test for all sorts, but mine are perfect.

Well, I thought it's time I start taking Ruby out for days with me - seeing though she is older and is very interested to see what is going on.

I gave her lunch, then we headed upto Yeadon Tarn (lake) where there was ducks etc. We did a couple of laps around the tarn, Ruby loved the ducks and just sat there being generally nosy as usual - must be a woman thing.

Think I'll take her to a place called Ogden Water tomorrow.

Few pictures...

Well, myself and Suie have been over here for 7 days now and our tans are coming along nicely. I hear its been raining and sleeting back in the UK so we're not in a mad rush to come home

After coming out here with no return flight booked we've had to look online evry now and again to try and find a suitable flight home. Unfortunately next to no flights are available with it being school holidays but we have to be home before school's go back, as Suie works in a school. D'oh!

We eventually decided to play it safe and have now booked a return flight to Glasgow on...

Just seen the new "Point Scoring System" and it mentioned blogs and whatnot, then I realised I'd neglected mine for a while now

Anyway,

Life is good. The summer holidays are over now =( Back to school.. Very busy!

8am - Get up
8.30am - Goto School
3.30pm - Finish School
3.35pm - Start Work
6.30pm - Finish Work

Then have dinner, the straight out to see the Girlfriend, pretty knackered at the mo =(

Just looking forward to the 3 day weekend =)