Busy busy busy!

Whirlwind couple of days, no time to post, sort of went like this....

Thursday night, a mate (we'll call him The Lord) calls round for some PC advice. While he's walking up the drive he notices my car tax is out of date, expired on 31/01/06, it's now 09/02/06. No problem I say, I'll call into town in the morning a get a new one.
I speak to my boss about 30 minutes later, "Did you see the Car Tax camera van at the Tyne Tunnel this morning" are among the first words out of his mouth. "Bollocks!" are the next words from mine....

I haven't had a reminder about the car tax from DVLA so I call them up.
"But you sold that car on 27/02/04 Mr Hard-On?"
Erm, no I didn't even buy it until 01/03/04, it's an 04 reg.
"No Mr Hard-On, it was first registered on 27/02/04, it's a 53 reg".
Hmmm, we have a problem then. I promise to let DVLA by mail that I am still the registered keeper and go to sleep thinking of all the nasty things that i'm gonna say to the garage in the morning. After all, I bought an 04 car but was sold a 53.

(Edit: In case you wondering how I didn't notice for two years that the reg plate said 53 and not 04, it has a private plate on... I'm not quite that thick)

I call in to town and purchase 1 years road tax, £125 of my hard earned cash which enables me to drive on some of the worst roads around...pothole city.

I then call into the garage, ask to speak to the general manager and explain my issue to him.
To be fair, he was pretty helpful, promising that after he checks his records he will give me the value of an 04 car if I were to trade it in (I am indeed thinking of changing my car). He then blames the salesman (we'll call him Chancer) who left over a year ago for causing the problem and states what he'd like to do to him if he could get in contact with him." No problem" I say through gritted teeth, "Chancer is (was) my best pal, I'm godfather to his son, I'll be contacting him very very shortly"!!!

The next Harry Mobile if they do me a good deal

10 minutes later, driving to work, the phone rings.
"Mr Hard-On, this is the GM from the garage. I'm trying to catch you before you call your pal Chancer. It seems that DVLA are to blame and not the garage. The got the date wrong, if you send off your V5C they'll make sure the date is corrected".

I'm trying to see the funny side and laugh at what would have happened if I'd called my best pal and accused him of fraud? Just sweating now on whether I was spotted by the tax camer'a on Thursday monring.....

The Lord and I went for a beer or seven on Friday night. Couple of nice pubs down by the river side, both owned by the same guy, both specialising in Real Ale's. Back home for a Chinese and the day ended a lot better than it started.

Saturday was spent in South Shields, feeding the ducks and swans in the park....it's a long story....
Sunday will be spent watching Sunderland v Spurs and drinking lots of Strongbow.

Work tomorrow, hurrah!

On this day: Lady Jane Grey executed for high treason. She was Queen for nine days (1554).

Talk Hard!
H.