First Impressions. Well at last one had come up with the spec I required. It was a long list of requirements and having seen the Red Nottingham car which was a close fit I thought that was as near as we may get in red. Only a guess but I expected one to come up in Black since I get the feeling more Black than Red Spyders. However, I was prepared to sit out for a long time - years if need be. I had all sorts of e mail alerts out for Spyders. Early one morning the Oxford car came up. I sat in disbelief as I read the spec! It was Red, had everything on our list and more! An early morning phone call and I was on my way. Well I've no need to tell you boys what happened when the garage door opened and the owner drove it out. The hairs on my neck stood up. I always likening it to meeting a really good looking woman you fancy - you can see many of the same model, women and Spyders but when the right one comes along it just sweeps you away, take me home I could hear her saying, wash me with bubbles, stop it now John your getting carried away[8D] We had a short test drive, inspection of the car and paperwork and It was time to do the deal and quickly. His phone was now hot with incoming calls inquiring after the car, some offering to buy over the phone! A deposit was left and I was on my way home. I vowed not to tell anyone until I collected her since many years ago I lost a car after leaving a deposit.. I was going to collect on the Monday but snow prevented that. A new date was made for Thursday, Valentines day. Up early, read the forum, thanks for the poems, wrote one and off to catch the Bus to Oxford. The bus went across country Milton Keynes, Buckingham etc on the A421 and this is the route I intended to take home. It had snowed and rained the Wednesday night and the roads were wet, filthy with salt and dirt and that started me thinking should I drive home that route? Perhaps the M40 down to the M25 and up the A1 was a better route! The sun was due to come out and these roads would be dry! Arrived at Oxford and a very smooth transaction and it was time to drive home. I jumped behind the wheel and set off - looked in the mirror and saw the seller had taken out his camera for his farewell shot
] I stopped a little way up the road at a garage. I parked on the forecourt just to make my self comfortable and more familiar with the controls. I adjusted the seat,mirrors and steering wheel and felt really comfortable and at home. All the switches etc were to hand and I could see all the dials. Then I saw the the switch with the 'Twin Tailpipes' That made the decision easy, it was home via the M40. Forecast was for sun for the rest of the day but heavy clouds were hovering and I was temped to drop the hood but didn't. So away we went mainly dual carriage way all the way home. The gear change was very crisp, with the sort shift you could run up and down the gears very quickly. Torque was great and engine was tight and very responsive to the slightest touch on the throttle. No much steering to be done on a motorway but I could feel that the steering was light and the car went exactly where you pointed it. We needed some fuel, pulled into motorway services and whilst paying noticed three people gathered around the car comparing notes. Now one of the real influences for me taking this route home could be put to the test. The Hatfield Tunnel. I took the slip Road down to the tunnel and reached for three switches - one PSE and both window down! The road was not busy and I pulled into the third lane, changed down and entered the tunnel. Well how good was that! A slip road at each end of the tunnel takes you up to a roundabout. Well I could not pass up the chance to hear that sound again, so round we went a couple of times North and South through the tunnel.[
] A further Tunnel on the A505 at Baldock doubled the pleasure. In no time we had arrived home safely - it was bubble bath time, a quick couple of photos and time to take care of my other Valentine!
