Farewell to The Tank
If I knew how to locate pictures in the middle of the text, then that's where these would be, as it sort of spoils the narrative (!) to put them first, but, hey, I don't, so they're 'up front', so to speak.
Anyway, I got a new car on Friday, well, new to me, at least, so it was time to say goodbye to my little fiesta, known as 'The Tank', and I couldn't let it go without reflecting on some of its travels.
Its certainly put in the miles over the last 3 and a half years. I think the furthest reaches have been Cardiff, Swindon, Newmarket, and Cheltenham. I don't think I ever got further north in it than Newcastle. But its served me, and the ND, well, so here are a few memories:
The Radio Tour - The Tank's most memorable road trip, complete with the 'race' down the A1/M1. The signs, the posters, posing by the car, complete with flags (see above), everyone gathering round the car radio in Blackpool to listen to the interview, and then making Griffin pose next to the car in Blackpool (see above).
Nik and Coza 'testing' the suspension whilst ‘dancing’ to Steps outside Minster Radio
James clocking my ‘Wherever You Will Go’ poster in the Radio York Car Park, left in there from the Radio Tour
Nearly (but thankfully not quite) getting stuck in the mud at Danby Show
Another epic road trip - Whitby, to York, to Birmingham, to Liverpool and back to York - and Nik discovering that 'gummi bears stick to maps' on the journey from Birmingham to Liverpool.
Car park trauma in the Hill Street car park in Boro* (subsequent car park trauma at various locations, e.g. Manchester (the near lock in), Nottingham (another near lock in), Billingham, Sunderland (the actual lock in**))
The comedy value of topless pics of James ‘what’s he doing? He’s a f****** musician. Well, not anymore!'
Asking people to press the 'Emergency Tim button' when I get tired while driving - never known to fail yet.
Singing along to the JCS soundtrack on a crazy journey from Oxford to York
Nearly careering down a mountainside in Wales on the way back from Cardiff, with Corinne turning a delicate shade of green.
The winter journey from York to Peterborough, stopping to defrost every few miles, as the ice from the washers froze as it hit the screen.
Nik and Coza 'testing' the suspension whilst ‘dancing’ to Steps outside Minster Radio
James clocking my ‘Wherever You Will Go’ poster in the Radio York Car Park, left in there from the Radio Tour
Nearly (but thankfully not quite) getting stuck in the mud at Danby Show
Another epic road trip - Whitby, to York, to Birmingham, to Liverpool and back to York - and Nik discovering that 'gummi bears stick to maps' on the journey from Birmingham to Liverpool.
Car park trauma in the Hill Street car park in Boro* (subsequent car park trauma at various locations, e.g. Manchester (the near lock in), Nottingham (another near lock in), Billingham, Sunderland (the actual lock in**))
The comedy value of topless pics of James ‘what’s he doing? He’s a f****** musician. Well, not anymore!'
Asking people to press the 'Emergency Tim button' when I get tired while driving - never known to fail yet.
Singing along to the JCS soundtrack on a crazy journey from Oxford to York
Nearly careering down a mountainside in Wales on the way back from Cardiff, with Corinne turning a delicate shade of green.
The winter journey from York to Peterborough, stopping to defrost every few miles, as the ice from the washers froze as it hit the screen.
Goodbye, little Tank. I hope you get treated gently for the rest of your life, as you deserve a bit of a rest
*which is etched on Corinne’s memory forever
*which is etched on Corinne’s memory forever
**though actually, that one wasn't that traumatic
posted by Val @ 4:29 PM
3 Comments:
Awww, goodbye Tank, and thank you. x
Awww, goodbye Tank *hugs car*
Can I add...
My first trip in the tank - going to Harlow (wherever that might be) and missing the service station where we were supposed to be meeting Nik and Ali.
The tank proving that it wasn't up for camping any more than its owner was in Whitby when it almost got stuck on a mini speed bump at the first camp site...and of course when we went the wrong way and the tank's internal navigation system meaning that we ended up in the carpark of Whitby Community College (squealing not optional).
Griffin making us park illegally (jesus, he was a brave man) just so he could check the size of the nightclub queue ("I can see girls' arms!").
And all the times that we got to squeak "Road trip!"...
Goodbye Tank, I'll miss you.
PS. For obvious reasons the Emergency Tim Button is coming with us.
PPS. But in honour of new car, new features whatnot, there will be the addition of the emergency David Tennant button...
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