An optimistic, (Very Early Spring), Bits and bobs.
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retropants
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it is only a tad brighter here today - medium grey rather than battleship grey. it is still brass monkeys though.
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vegpatchmum
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<whispers very quietly> The sun is out and it is 7.7 degrees outside 
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peter
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Geoff wrote:Don't worry it will pick up. Bought my first ever 4x4, collecting Friday so should go dry and warm.
What have you picked then Geoff?
Do not put off thanking people when they have helped you, as they may not be there to thank later.
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oldherbaceous
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Dear Monika, as no one can make me do anything i don't won't to, i do take full blame for this hilarious Bits and Bobs. 
You would have laughed at me trying to find out what those Welsh words meant.
The weather will soon be breaking now, and then we will all be as busy as Bees.....
You would have laughed at me trying to find out what those Welsh words meant.
The weather will soon be breaking now, and then we will all be as busy as Bees.....
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
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Geoff
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Well Peter it is a bit of a tale. We have had an Octavia Estate since July 06 and have generally been well pleased with it. However, it has low profile tyres that are appalling in snow and send frightening shocks through the car when we hit one of the ever increasing potholes, feels like something is going to break. I thought a 4x4 might make me feel less isolated and more secure in the Winter (having discounted Winter tyres). Last week was MOT and service time so as the garage had a nice 4x4 Yeti in stock I arranged to have one as the courtesy car during the service, I thought all the rave reviews it has had it would fit the bill. It turned out to be very pleasant to drive with a high seating position and big windows so a great view around. Also quite a bit shorter so easier parking. The downside was the seats were a bit odd. To get the legroom in a shorter car they had got you sitting more upright with less seat depth, more like sitting on a dining chair than in an easy chair. There was less boot space too covered by a really tat and flimsy parcel shelf. So having got used to the space and comfort of the Octavia we decided we couldn't live with it.
When we got back we found they had an Octavia Scout at the same price, this is a 4x4 Estate version of the Octavia with increased ground clearance and more sensible tyres than our current model. So after a lot of indecision and negotiating we bought it. Not one of my usual long considered and researched deals so I hope it works out.
When we got back we found they had an Octavia Scout at the same price, this is a 4x4 Estate version of the Octavia with increased ground clearance and more sensible tyres than our current model. So after a lot of indecision and negotiating we bought it. Not one of my usual long considered and researched deals so I hope it works out.
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peter
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Seems a sensible decision to me Geoff.
Secure on road bad weather drivability with the space & comfort you are accustomed to.
Regarding wheel & tyre combinations, CAR magazine recommends the latest Range Rover on the smallest wheels and highest profile tyres, purely for comfort, its off road ability is if anything slightly improved.
Secure on road bad weather drivability with the space & comfort you are accustomed to.
Regarding wheel & tyre combinations, CAR magazine recommends the latest Range Rover on the smallest wheels and highest profile tyres, purely for comfort, its off road ability is if anything slightly improved.
Do not put off thanking people when they have helped you, as they may not be there to thank later.
I support http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
I support http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
Geoff, we got our Which magazine today and it gives a good report of second hand Skodas from 2009 onwards with particular reference to their reliability. Just thought you might like to know. Have fun tomorrow - your 4 wheel drive might come in useful straight away.
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Geoff
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Didn't make it. Saw the neighbours set off for work so decided to dig my way to the road. When I got there met them walking back having abandoned further on. Something ironic about not being able to get out to buy a 4x4! Postponed to Monday.
PS : Received this text later from another neighbour.
We tried in 4x4 and turned back at The Hill possibly done the worst but might not have got back. Snowplough gone off road into wall just after The Hill so a good shout we think.
(The Hill is a local farm)
PS : Received this text later from another neighbour.
We tried in 4x4 and turned back at The Hill possibly done the worst but might not have got back. Snowplough gone off road into wall just after The Hill so a good shout we think.
(The Hill is a local farm)
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peter
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Indeed, sounds like your neighbour has that rare thing nowadays, common sense.
4x4's are still subject to the laws of physics.
My Freelander 2 with all its electronic aids will still slide at a junction, its fine slowing down, its that last couple of mph when the electronics can't do much about sheet ice or polished snow. Those surfaces in the UK rarely get cold enough to prevent the surface layer melting under pressure of a vehicle and providing that slick slipperiness that sees a vehicle slowly slide whichever way is downhill at absurd angles.
Hate seeing the overconfident brigade who assume 4x4 means they can drive at normal (high) speeds in poor conditions, they're as bad as the one mile per hour if snow if falling & melting lot. Well worse actually as when they have a problem their momentum causes a lot of damage wheras the slow just cause trains of annoyed followers and make the impatient take stupider risks than usual.
Sometimes you have to risk a bit of speed to get up a slope without losing traction, but its s fine balance, I prefer untravelled minor roads with virgin snow, better grip, bit less likely to be found when stuck.
4x4's are still subject to the laws of physics.
My Freelander 2 with all its electronic aids will still slide at a junction, its fine slowing down, its that last couple of mph when the electronics can't do much about sheet ice or polished snow. Those surfaces in the UK rarely get cold enough to prevent the surface layer melting under pressure of a vehicle and providing that slick slipperiness that sees a vehicle slowly slide whichever way is downhill at absurd angles.
Hate seeing the overconfident brigade who assume 4x4 means they can drive at normal (high) speeds in poor conditions, they're as bad as the one mile per hour if snow if falling & melting lot. Well worse actually as when they have a problem their momentum causes a lot of damage wheras the slow just cause trains of annoyed followers and make the impatient take stupider risks than usual.
Sometimes you have to risk a bit of speed to get up a slope without losing traction, but its s fine balance, I prefer untravelled minor roads with virgin snow, better grip, bit less likely to be found when stuck.
Do not put off thanking people when they have helped you, as they may not be there to thank later.
I support http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
I support http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
Although I am not even a driver, I am an avid follower of the motoring advice by "Honest John" in the Saturday Daily Telegraph and his website. And his advice has been for many years that it is more sensible to put on winter tyres (as is the norm in continental Europe) than to have a 4x4. We had a Landrover Defender for many, many years but my OH, the driver, says he feels more secure in winter in our current Yaris with very wide winter tyres than in the Landrover.
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vegpatchmum
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We're definitely a 4x4 family but my OH doesn't have the words to describe the lunatic driving techniques of some 4x4 drivers who seem to think that the fact that they drive a 4x4 means they can drive 'normally' in all weathers (well he does have the words but they are not printable ) and then live to tell the tale.
He has been banging on for years about the importance of fitting proper winter tyres no matter what you drive and then still drive to the conditions. People have often thought we are mad to keep 2 sets of tyres but having the winter tyres on the vehicle makes a massive difference to the road handling ability. We don't think it'll be many years before winter tyres become compulsory, just like they are in many European countries.
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) and then live to tell the tale.He has been banging on for years about the importance of fitting proper winter tyres no matter what you drive and then still drive to the conditions. People have often thought we are mad to keep 2 sets of tyres but having the winter tyres on the vehicle makes a massive difference to the road handling ability. We don't think it'll be many years before winter tyres become compulsory, just like they are in many European countries.
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