Friday 18 November 2011

Farewell Sugar




I've never been good at saying goodbye to cars.


Back in the 60's my dad had a black Austin 40

it was the second car he ever owned.



( Attribution: Redsimon at en.wikipedia)



One morning he drove me to school, which was unusual because we normally walked.


At the school gates he told me:


'Say goodbye to the car because you won't be seeing it again.'


I was so upset


and ever since have had trouble saying goodbye to cars.



Yesterday I had to say goodbye to Sugar, my PT Cruiser:



I love her for her retro look


and for a long time couldn't bring myself to play my Tom Waits cds while I drove her


we stuck to Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday


(until the cd player got a grain of dirt in it and scratched the cds).


So what if my son's friends told me she looked like a hearse

I loved her.


Sadly, she became an old lady and began behaving and sounding very sick.


Yesterday I took her for our last drive together


and left her at the dealers


all the while muttering to myself,


'It's just a car, a machine. It doesn't have feelings. It is NOT upset that you're abandoning her.'


Here is the little upstart that has taken her place


DOT





A Fiat 500.


She's nippy, more maneuverable and has a cd player that works.


It's going to take me a while to adapt


(who ever heard of an automatic that rolled backwards on inclines?)


but I'm sure we're going to become good friends.


(and I don't think she'll mind Tom Waits!)


Blessings,


Andi xx

17 comments:

  1. Have you ever read Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther? (Not the movie, barely related to the book!) There's a chapter about this very topic. You are not alone! I cried saying goodbye to my sweet Civic.

    But I love my green convertible, and you'll love this cutie too.

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  2. Ah, Dot is a cutie. Enjoy that new car smell, he he. I hate saying goodbye to cars as well.

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  3. Very cute, but an automatic rolling backward on a hill!? Have a great weekend with your little Dot!

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  4. We had to say goodbye to our old car too.She didn't have as much character as yours,but she took us to some lovely places and never let us down.Dot is gorgeous!..I love the colour. Hope you share some wonderful trips together. :0)

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  5. oh Andi, I cry my eyes out when a car has to go- I even cried when the horse trailer went which the woman who bought it thought was very odd (so did my husband!)
    We need 4x4s here as our unmade track is so "rural" but the Fiat 500 has been my wish-list car for ages, it's just so cute, and the blue colourway is my 1st choice.
    You'll have SO much fun!
    xx

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  6. Dot is super cute! Perhaps Sugar will find another good home :)

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  7. sorry for your loss of Sugar, but I'm sure Dot will help to lessen the blow. too cute!!

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  8. What a cutie! I'll bet there are many happy years of togetherness ahead for you.

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  9. I have always wanted a PT Cruiser, but never had the opportunity to buy one. Isn't funny how we get attached to our vehicles? Have fun with the Fiat. It looks lovely.

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  10. I felt a bit like that when I had to part with my beloved sea green Mini many years ago. I wish I still had that little beauty.
    I hope Dot is going to be a good girl and behaves herself. Love her colour.

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  11. Oh she is super cute!
    You will have so much fun cruising around playing Tom Waits,
    x

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  12. So jealous you have a fiat 500!
    Great news on the book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I can also recommend all I want for Christmas by Amy silver. I must read the cupcake one, I know a few people that have read it x x

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  13. Hi Dot and many happy miles together I hope you have, with Elsie :)
    Mom dosen't like our car its a Mondeo she says its a mans car next time shes picking the one she wants.
    Thanks for the Birthday wishes and for joining me on the steps
    Have a good week
    See Yea George xxx

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  14. I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone with this one *winks* Of course I have a hard time saying goodbye to anything! Haha!Your new Dot is adorable! I hope you she (and Tom Waits) have years of fun together...before "Brad the bad boy" comes around *winks*

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  15. Girl I like your new fiat 500, however loved your Pt Crusier because that is what I drive mine is silver

    I hope you adjust to the size after the Pt

    I liked your dad's old car a collecter now

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  16. I know just what you mean! Sugar was a babe but Dot is a real doll! x

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