The Duchess
Posted by Fiona Nevile in Cottage tales | 15 comments
Photo: The Duchess
The last few days have been a bit stressful and frantic. Searching in vain for a replacement car. Meanwhile I was rushing about stocking up on anything too heavy to collect in the bicycle trailer. Friends have been very kind and generous. The Contessa’s diabetes has become very unstable and she had to be rushed to the vet – S and The Chicken Lady drove me down to Newmarket in the snow to collect her. Seraphina offered to lend me her car, every other week. But living in a village we need our own car.
Then Danny came up trumps and found something gorgeous on eBay for us. A Rover 75 Connoisseur. She’s red, beautifully styled, eleven years old and has under 60,0000 miles on the clock. Cosseted by an elderly couple she has been superbly maintained. We are thrilled.
This morning, waiting for my old friend Martin Beazor to arrive for coffee I stood and gazed at her as the snow gently settled on her roof.
She’s already a much loved member of the family – with her comfortable leather seats and retro styling she has been named The Duchess. Hopefully, if we look after her well she will go on for years. Spare parts seem to be readily available.
We will share The Duchess. Now I’m based at home there is no need for a second run about. We have the bike on standby for emergencies. The bicycle trailer arrived yesterday – sizable and very sturdy. Perfect for shopping, delivering flowers and transporting Min Pins. S gave me a pair of waterproof trousers a couple of years ago and I now have a hi viz hooded rain jacket that fits over my thick winter jacket. So we are fully set up on the bike front.
It’s a huge relief to have The Duchess parked in the drive, waiting to ferry us into town and beyond. When the snow has cleared I’ll take the bike and trailer out for a spin with a Min Pin or two on board.
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Thank you everyone for your comments. The Duchess is a great car – I motored down to Newmarket in her and she moved so smoothly. Great value and hopefully a long term member of the family.
The Contessa has been switched to a new type of insulin that will be gradually increased to the correct level. She is pencil thin – even her tail is skinny – but quite chirpy.
Photo in my Hi Viz vest?!! Maybe one day 😉
I want to see a picture of you in Hi viz vest and waterproofs do you wear wellies with them as well oh and a bike helmit………..OHHHH GO ON
Congratulations on the new wheels! 🙂 I’ve recently got rid of my Rover (Actually the sporty 2.5L V6 MG ZS Rover 45 variant) but really loved it whilst I had it!
We’ve had car issues this week on the current car and living in a little village near Royston, Herts know exactly how you feel without a car. It would have been very difficult with no car at all!
Wishing you many happy miles of motoring! 🙂
She looks absolutely lovely. I know how much of a relief it is to find a car when you have had such bad luck; it happened to us years ago, we found a really good, reliable car, and it was the start of our lives turning around. Enjoy …
I’m pleased for you ! May you have many happy and safe hours of driving. :o)