SpeedyRob

brilliant.

20 years ago and I would have got very excited about that article. But today I find Skodas have become characterless, bland, run of the mill, cheaper Volkswagens. To my mind the Skoda marque died as soon as they started putting the engines in the front.

good morning fellow performance car owners and enthusiasts. bit breezy down here on the south coast today. just hoping a tree doesn't fall on the car.

I got overtaken by some guy in a white Impreza turbo today. I was not amused I can tell you. Luckily for him, I couldn't be bothered to put my foot down.

Actually it's hard for me to answer this one. When I look back over the years, I've had quite a bit of quality on my drive. But then the neighbours asked me to confine my love life to the inside of my house so all that stopped. I suppose the car that gave me the most trouble was the Dolomite actually. It was mainly to do with the twin SU carburettors. They always seemed to be going out of adjustment and as a result the car would run rough and gobble loads of fuel. Also, the rear section of the exhaust was a rubbish design and the long tailpipe used to shear off from the silencer and drop off on an annual basis. Then the clutch went and soon after it started jumping out of gear so I'd had enough by then and got rid of it. Apart from the plastic pig, most fun car I owned was an early Seat Ibiza 1.5. It was a quirky little design and a bit coarse but despite it having some poor reviews at the time, it only let me down once in about 40,000 miles done over 4 years and I'm proud to say earned me my first and only speeding conviction for doing over 100 on the M1. So worst car have to be the Dolomite I guess, just because of the reliability factor.

Vaseline.

<< Stopped working in an offfice 71/2 years ago and have never felt the need to touch a computer till now. Thought it was time i came up to speed with the rest of the world. >> Trouble with computers is that you never really get fully up to speed because the technology is moving on so fast. Soon as you've figured things out, there's something new out that you don't understand. Well at least that's the way it is with me.

And just to prove I've got my finger on the pulse of popular culture, aren't they those lasses from Geordie land? Why aye and all that. Let me tell you, the North East girls are reet canny lasses. When I was in Newcastle earlier in the year I went down to a Metro station and it was about 8 or 9 in the evening and freezing cold. I couldn't believe it - the train was loaded with very alluring young ladies and they weren't exactly over dressed. I bet they thought I was a right soft southerner with my overcoat and scarf on while they were exposing acres of flesh despite the near arctic temperature. Sadly for the girls I wasn't in the mood to show them some good southern hospitality. I'll have to remember to take my tablets with me next time. ;-) But I have to say I love Newcastle and I love the people. I've always found the peeps up there really nice. Defo one of my favourite cities in England. And if you want to learn how to speak their lingo so you can chat them up, you might need the English/Geordie translator. And it's pretty handy for translating English into other foreign languages too. Geordie Translator

<< my perfect woman would be ginger hairerd >> Well good luck to you. But if I was with a ginger haired woman I think I'd be forced to offer her the use of my razor. And I wouldn't be inviting her to use it on her head either.

I'll need to fill mine up at the weekend. And I might put some petrol in the car too. Sorry that's my worst ever post........

morning. hope the weather's not tooooooo bad for members in the west.

<< Don't know........never been Rob. >> You've never lived mate. Sand, sea and a pier. And there's usually a very bracing wind blowing in off the sea at this time of the year which is most enjoyable. I find a stiff one very invigorating.

I'd like to do the test and reveal my score but I can't risk it in case it's so high my computer blows up.

I'm thinking of going to Bognor Regis. Jealous?

You need flames.

<< Elephants are the only animals that can't jump. It's possible to lead a cow upstairs ... but not downstairs. All polar bears are left-handed. >> Elephants - I bet a dog with no legs couldn't jump. Cows upstairs/downstairs - You obviously haven't met my ex. Polar Bears - I always thought they had paws rather than hands.

Morning.

I don't bother with Christmas myself. I can't stand it. I just want it all to end so I can get back to normality. My policy is to keep out of all shops from December 1st until about mid January and to refuse to attend any Christmas parties whatsoever. I usually try to work through as much of it as possible as most people seem to take nearly 2 weeks off and hence there is no morning rush hour and when I get to work I don't have to do anything as there's nobody much about. And then I leave early of course. And as for Christmas TV, well I'd rather play with my cat than watch that sh*te. I used to always go to footy on Boxing Day but haven't done that for a few years now either. As for Christmas cards, I don't send many. I can't see the point of sending a card to someone wishing them a happy christmas when I can say that to them on the phone or in person. Bit of a waste of money really. So I don't normally send more than about 10. Presents? Nah. Don't think I bought one last year. If anyone needs a present like kids they just get some money stuffed in their card. I never know what to get anyway. I have bought pressies for girlfriends but unless some lucky lass comes along and sweeps me off my feet in the next 2 months I'll get away with that for another year too!

Ouch and you didnt mention the insurance.

Fact is Man U were lucky. With 20 mins to go it was 0-0 and I thought it would end that way. (wish it had, I had a few quid on 0-0 ) Anyway, there's no dispute it wasn't a penalty. Rooney dived and he has virtually admitted as much. And Man U wouldn't have got that 2nd goal if Arsenal hadn't been desperately chasing the game at the end. It's like a few others have said. That ref always gives Man U penalties (8 in his last 8 games at Old Trafford I read) and his bad decisions throughout the game influenced the outcome. But even so, Arsenal remain the best team in the country and the league table proves it. If they don't win the league again this year I'll eat my hat. Mind you, I reckon Chelsea will do better in Europe. And my forecast for the top 3 in the premier league at the end of the season is the same as last year: 1. Arsenal 2. Chelsea 3. Man u I think that's about the correct pecking order really.

<< 1974 Triumph Dolomite Sprint (totally rebuilt by me for road and track use ..210bhp@ 7000rpm with 50hp NOS kit!!) 1995 Seat Ibiza GTi (still in use ...the wifes car) >> Bit in common with me there mate. We must have the same taste. I had a Triumph Dolomite but mine wasnt the Sprint, it was a humble 1500HL and I followed it up by owning 2 Seat Ibizas. Think you accidentally omitted your Robin from the list.

It's still a 2 horse race between Arsenal and Chelsea. And I think Southampton will suffer when they visit Highbury on Saturday after what happened yesterday.

Morning everyone.

Rather a lot of Fords in those lists. I've never had a Ford although I have driven a few. Actually I find the Focus a very nice drive and I did consider buying one. I remember my Dad had a Mark 2 Cortina when I was a nipper though.

As Janey would say, I know naaarthing.