Not sure if I have mentioned on my blog about having to sell my lovely Fiat Doblo due to us soon living in the new ULEZ zone. I am upset about selling the car but have been looking for something to replace it. Ideally I would have had another mark 2 Doblo but as they are getting pretty old now so to find one with low mileage and petrol has been a challenge. So the VW Touran caught my eye, a UK version is pretty expensive but a lot are being imported and are more affordable. My mechanic put me off though saying they might be tricky for parts in getting and the wait time if shipping things over. Anyway I was looking and a UK one with low mileage and what I could afford did come on the market, it was only a 1.2 engine though so I was unsure as I drive a 2 litre diesel at the moment and when I put me foot down it does go. Which I do need when attending conventions and events, anyway a friend said it should be OK as its a Turbo, I had no clue, he he. It did have a lot of letters after the name so that must be model and engine size etc. So off I go for a test drive and to see the car, it was a rainy day so not ideal and we only went for a short 10 minute drive with the salesman. All seemed OK though so I said yes to it…….. but was concerned overnight and had a worrying feeling. So in the morning which was a bright sunny day I called the dealer up again and said is it OK to come and have another look, they were really friendly and welcoming and said yes that’s not a problem. So when I get there they give me the keys and leave me alone to look on my own, I did spend 30 minutes putting seats up and down, trying things out and having a good look all over the car which I was unable to do the day before to to it raining. They then even said to go out for another test drive and how about just going on your own. So there I was for another 20/25 mins driving it about, they even told me directions to the by pass where it was a 70 mph limit so I could put me foot down. It was very nippy and responsive, I did not realise it was a 1.2 turbo till a friends dad explained things to me. So after all that I was a lot more comfortable with buying the car and will get it in a few weeks once everything has been sorted. Now I have to sell my lovely Doblo, and yes I’m sad about that. Plus the other thing that I never knew till the first test drive is all the rear seats come out of the Touran. Like when I had a Renault Espace many moons ago. So although the Touran is not as high as my Doblo with the seats out we should be able to get everything I need to the balloon days, events and conventions… fingers crossed.
Balloon wise I did film six tutorials last weekend, going to start editing them this afternoon ready for the website. I have two school shows this week which is nice as things have been a little quiet magic wise.
The next balloon workshop we have is up in Haydock for Balloon World/Northwest Greetings if anyone would like to attend, Its on Thursday 25th May. It’s a full day of workshops with some of my latest designs being taught and explained. You do have to book directly with the venue, Balloon Workshop, Haydock.
We did the April Zoom this week which was for the Sunflower, we did post a few pictures here on Balloon Chat if you’d like to take a look, Sunflower.
The Model of the Month for May will be the basic line work Train, I’ve not put the instructions up yet but they will be posted on this thread, so please come back soon to take a look. Train, May Model of the Month.
That’s me for this week then, off to find the random balloon picture of the week.
I went with a Motor Bike that I made a couple of months back.
