Well done mate, I've got so much crap here that I forget what I've got, so if something stuffs up I can usually find a good replacement without having to order another one.
I'm pissed off that my poor old Dad is just about stuffed. He turns 87 on January the 6th, and I'm hoping that he makes it. For Christmas, he handed me the keys to his old Ford Falcon wagon. It's just a stock '84 XF with T Bar auto and not much else, the only thing going for it really is that it's pretty much mint, with only 114,000 klicks (under 71,000 miles) on the odometer, and completely original, the tyres still have some of the factory air in them. To him it was a huge thing though, an acceptance that his driving days are over, and the hope that I'll look after the old beast for him.
He was keen to come back to his house (He's been in hospital for the last few weeks) so he could check to make sure everything was Ok and see his pups, but Mum (who's 85 and not in the best of health either) couldn't take him, because he's so weak now that he can't get in and out of the car on his own, and the walk from the street to the front door is a huge effort for him. While he understands this is why he can't go home, it pisses him off.
Yesterday I put half a tank of fresh 95 RON fuel into the ol' Falcon to freshen up the half a tank of stale fuel, and pumped up the tyres. (it hasn't been driven in around a year) I took it for a 20 mile drive to blow the cobwebs out, then drove up to the Hospital and picked him up, took him for a drive around town, then around to their house, and sat him in the lounge so he could watch the cricket and see his pups. He had to be back at the hospital by 1pm so he could take his tablets and have lunch, but that was Ok as the weather was stinking hot (100 Deg F) and I think he was happy to be back in the cool of the hospital. He told me he had a great day, and made me promise I'd bust him out of hospital again when I drive down again next week.
I parked the old Ford back in his garage, locked his house up and drove my wonderful 450 dollar Subaru the 200 miles back home with the aircon up high. Next trip I'll give the old Ford a service and get a new exhaust fitted, (the one on it is still the factory original, but it rattles and is leaking a tad) I'll change all the belts and hoses and replace the left side mirror which is duct taped on after Dad took it off on the gate a couple of years ago.
I haven't got enough room in my garage, so it can stay in Dad's garage until after he and Mum either move into a retirement home or kark it, then I'll have to decide what to do with it. Whatever happens, I'll be keeping it, the car's probably worth nothing, but the memories are priceless. Cheers, Terry.
