rARsh!

I survived

I was unfashionably early (having allowed extra time to find a suitable parking spot). MatchGirl III was fashionably late (just five minutes or so). But still late¹.

“Would you like a coffee or would you like to go somewhere nice?“, I asked (not being a fan of Wetherspoons pubs). The good news is that she made the correcr decision. The less positive news was her alternative venue choice - the café in House of Fraser up the hill in Chapelfield. Oh well.

We sat and drank and scoffed danish pastries (well, I only managed half of mine as it was far too sweet - who’d have thought that, eh?)). I learned about carbohydrates (does anyone else like the idea of porridge with feta cheese for breakfast?), Bulgarian folk tales and heard the phrase “in my country” more than I’ve ever heard it before. It was a good chat, though, and in spite of minor language difficulties I think it went fairly well.

“Do you mind if we look around the shop?”

I acquiesced but did wonder whether this was a date or just a shopping trip. Thankfully, this didn’t take long as those items left over in the House of Fraser sale were either rubbish or still too expensive. MatchGirl III admitted defeat so we left and wandered back toward Magdalen Street.

“Can I offer you a lift home?” I asked, being a polite person.

“Ummm.”

“Fair enough. It’s probably wise not to accept lifts from strange men.”

She laughed.

We wandered back to where I’d left the car and her mind was (quite naturally) changed as soon as she saw the WTB. She decided she would like a lift home. In fact, we’d hardly set off when “It seems a shame to only go as far as my house.”

“Would you like to go for a spin?”

“Yes please.”

We went as far as Wroxham Barns for more window shopping. Yes, yes. I know. This didn’t last long and we were soon heading back into Norwhag for a cup of coffee at MG3’s where I met her son and Mimi the friendly cat. When she offered to show me her etchings² I made my excuses and left.

Overall I think it went reasonably well considering it was my first date for many, many, many years. Yes, I’d have preferred there to be less shopping but then I hadn’t really thought things through and hadn’t made any plans for a four hour date - I’d naively assumed “a coffee” would be “a coffee”.

If I learned anything it’s to have a selection of things to do next time (whether next time is with MatchGirl III or another lucky lady).

¹ I don’t like people being late for things and abhor being late myself. Just thought I’d mention that.
² Actually her watercolours but you get the idea.

<Gulp>

Wish me luck.

If you never hear from me again, MatchGirl III did it.

READER SURVEY

Can you spare me a couple of minutes?

All I want to know is whether you want to see more or less of the following at rARsh.com:

1. Photographs
2. Quest for Lurve
3. Quest for Fitness
4. Irritations
5. Incisive political comment
6. Incisive social comment
7. Bob

Answers in the comments (or, if you’d prefer to keep your preferences between ourselves, by email to lionel at rarsh.com).

Good advice

Via MSN, Daisy’s been an online wardrobe consultant for tomorrow’s date (although she seems to be taking it more seriously than I am).

We were discussing trousers, specifically jeans.

D: “Which flatter your bum the best? ”

Honestly! Is there any (male) reader who’s ever considered such a question?

A nagging question

There’s been something tugging at my subconscious since this morning’s test drives and I’ve just realised what it is.

The Sirion’s a four seater (five if they’re not my size).

Why, then, does it have six cup holders?

In search of Murph

Remember the good old days when you used to visit to see my latest photographs rather than to follow my oh-so-boring Quest For Lurve? Well, those days have returned!

After this morning’s excitement, I picked up my camera and headed off in search of Norfolk’s premier canine blogger in the nearby village of Wibbly.

Well, not really. I was really returning to Wibbly church where I’d found last year’s snowdrops. They’re out again this year although it’ll be a few more days before they’re at their best, I suspect.

I was partly surprised to see conkers (horse chestnuts to non-Brits) lying in amongst them, though - proof (if it were needed) that the world’s gone mad.

I did keep an eye out for hounds and did see one which resembled Oz, albeit driving past in a car. A Wibblyite also gave me a long stare as I was leaving. Was this the infamous Mr P? Maybe Murph will confirm this one way or the other.

If, on the other hand you visit to follow my exciting Quest For Lurve then I hope you’ll forgive this interruption.

Road Tests

Suzuki Ignis

No wonder it’s been discontinued. Larger inside (and a higher driving position) than the Sirion but I just didn’t care for it. I was inwardly amused by the salesman’s attempts to sell the car on the basis of its economy (43.5mpg against the Sirion’s 56.5 mpg) and cheap road tax (at £125 compared to £40) but it was nice to be allowed to go out for a wander alone in each car.

Daihatsu Sirion

Very nice. Tempting, especially when my mate Chris offered a higher than expected trade in value for the rARshMobile and said he’d pay for the WTB’s next service on top of Daihatsu’s current £500 off offer. Reduces the asking price to what I consider to be a reasonable figure.

I’ve had a look at the DVLA site and the registrations either side of the WTB’s are available and are in their lowest price band. They’re not called vanity plates for nothing, but it’d be tidy, wouldn’t it?

Incidentally, may I suggest that anyone test-driving a car in Norwhag includes Gurney Road in their route? Twisting down across Mousehold Heath it made me wish I was driving the WTB. Great fun.

While I think of it I thought I’d better get in touch with the Evil Overlords to check by how much my insurance premium would rise. I think an extra £12.45 is quite reasonable to cover the new car from now until September, don’t you?

Lionel has a date!

Sunday morning at a hostelry near Ganglion Square.

“What time would you like to meet?” MatchGirl III asked. “I don’t want to make you get up too early.”

I laughed and explained about my new 7am regime.

Now that I think about it, though, I’m not even convinced the pub’ll be open at 11 o’clock. [Checks online] 9am until midnight? On a Sunday? What’s the world coming to?!

This leaves me tomorrow (with its fine forecast) for test drives and photography. Maybe a swim between the test drives and the photo safari (there’s not quite enough time to swim beforehand). Plenty of time for a swim before the date but I don’t really think I should turn up smelling of chlorine.

And …

Bugger.

Phone’s ringing.

It’s Grunt. (or to be pedantic, it’s coming from his number). Let’s see whether he’ll leave a message on the answerphone …

[Later]

He doesn’t. Oh well, we’ll just have to wait and see whether he can overcome his dislike of answering machines because I’ve no intention of answering.

I may have to reconsider the change of vehicle, though, if my darling stepson is back on the scene.

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