The MK1 market

 I did drive one of those!
I joined the Police in September 1978 and that is what we had, also 1.1 Escort Estate ( for the Chief Inspector only) and 1.1 Escort Van for rural patrol.
I wa srural so drove the van mostly.

We used to keep them 3 years or 60,000 miles ( we had money then, some vehicles do 300,000 plus now and some are nearly 8 years old)
When the Chief inspector's estate was 3 years old it was collected to go to auction and had just 1100  miles on the clock!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That would never happen now any vehicle not used enough is taken away and given to another department.

 I have progressed a little after nearly 40 years and drive a new BMW X5 with all the stealth blue lights etc, I was allowed to choose it myself so went for met grey, it even has leather seats, unheard of in a plod car years ago. I will add that the car it replaced was 7 years old with interstella mileage
Steve

Tuesday Aug 31st 1977 was my first day, almost exactly 19yrs later I discovered I wasn't invincible and ended up a bit broken and retired a year later, I now walk with a stick. Happy days.
 (Never try to argue with a hooky Honda Integra unless you're strapped in, your engines running, and your doors are shut, it hurts    )

 You going to National Day mate, we can talk  S*%T together about the old days over a drink!
Not on the front line now, I'm the Chief's Staff Officer, although its been a bit busy the last month, I'm in Wiltshire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Funny enough I was at Salisbury Hospital today, my wife had a foot operation.
Steve

Not going to the National, I'm back where I grew up nr. Lancaster after 20yrs of being in Lancs then Nth Yorks. One of my colleagues retired to Wiltshire, where he had originally come from. We seem to revert to our roots on retirement.

 That seems to be what happens, you serve in a force away from your roots then return home after you retire.
I am from Monmouthshire originally, I saw an advert in the local paper that Wiltshire were recruiting, it turned out the recruitment officer was originally from Monmouthshire so put adverts in the local paper.
Steve

Still a bit old skool and not computer literate, I have just found the 'LIKE' button lol
Wondered what all the 'Like' notifications were.
you have now been warned!Steve

SPGTI said

 You going to National Day mate, we can talk  S*%T together about the old days over a drink!
Not on the front line now, I'm the Chief's Staff Officer, although its been a bit busy the last month, I'm in Wiltshire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Funny enough I was at Salisbury Hospital today, my wife had a foot operation.
Steve

SPGTI

Well first of all I hope your wife had a successful operation and is resting comfortably.

As for your chequered history as car owner and Policeman it's beggars belief!

You've been fortunate enough (through skill, work and love/hate) to own some fabulous classic cars.

I see that in this day as real privilege that young car enthusiasts will never be able to experience. Even my own 20 year old son, even though he drives the Mk1 and helps me look after it, he will never experience the cars that I have in my life and owned some.

As for your professional job I take my hat off to all the Emergency Service personnel both back home and here in Austria.

You all do a fantastic job when often you are badly treated and yet 99.99% of the time you all stay professional and on task, brilliant in my book!

As for Salisbury, well when I came over last year for our club AGM I took my wife to Salisbury on a beautiful warm sunny day did the Cathedral, lunch and stuff and it brought back many fond memories because for the 25 years before moving to Austria in 1994 I lived in Stockbridge, Hants just down the road from you and on the river test.

And yes I'm a Fly Fisherman and now in retirement at 54 I only wish I hadn't spent so much money on cars and had saved a bit more so I could good Fly Fishing in the Alps starting in Spring until the end of the Autumn everyday.

Mike, officially 'Off Topic'


Sent from my Smartphone

 Thanks for your comments Mike
All the boys and girls do a really difficult job now!
We have been helped in Salisbury by officers from 20 different forces from all over the country.
The community in Salisbury and actually most of the UK have given great support to the Police since the incident on 4th March.

Wife is home and resting, wont go into it but op was more serious than we expected or her surgeon! but she should make a good recovery,, eventually!!!!!!!!! looks like I will be doing everything for the next 2 months!Steve
 

Well we've been there as well because my wife suffers from chronic 'Rheumatoid Arthritis'.

So bad at the age of 34 she had to go into disability pension.
She's now 47 but she's had major reconstructive surgery on both wrists and one foot. Each one was separate ops and each time 6 to 10weeks recovery before she could start to help a little around home.

I really felt for her because she was unable to move at all those joints and the foot was the worst because the risk of the titanium screws and plates moving.

Next will be her knees one at a time and they estimate 12 weeks recovery for each one but I must say Austria's health service is absolutely superb, second to none. If I had to choose were to be seriously ill worldwide this is the one!

So we have the upmost sympathy and understanding for you both.

We both wish your wife well and for a speedy recovery to full fitness.


Mike
Sent from my Smartphone

Mike warm weather would be better surely for the wife and the cabby.

Pack up and move to the south of Spain or similar. No stow on the cabby and lost of warm sea air for the joints.

Seriously some tough times for you all and inspirational how it doesn’t stop you enjoying life. There are many who would have the ‘i cant’ attitude and be miserable.

Keep it up

Craig.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Backinblack

Many thanks for the kind words Craig, really appreciate.

It's a bit of a downer when all the Doctors tell you that your working days are over especially at only 54.
I always thought and planned to work to 65 or 67 and have a full pension with 30+ years with the Embassy.

But all that got flushed down the bog last year as you know when I was so ill I nearly died not once but twice in the space of 4 months.

I mean I like a challenge but come on!

But lets be honest and still here writing all my cräp and boring the world for the British.

There are 10's of millions of people far, far worse of then me I should have no complaints and should my time come unexpectedly and I pop off I know for a fact I for one won't be bitching about here.

Watch this space!


Sent from my Smartphone

 Yes best wishes to you both Mike.
You never know whats around the corner so make the best of every day.
Both my parents died within 11 months of each other both totally unexpected so my wife and I decided to do everything we wanted as we said 'you never know whats ahead for you'
We have done that for the last 4 years since they died and don't regret it, we have told our children (all grown up now) you might not have the inheritance you thought as your mother and I are going to have a good time lol.
They all said go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes I could have retired but love my job, when I don't then I will retire.
Steve

SPGTI

Craig,

Well both my parents passed away a while ago now and in fact I have no aunts or uncles left alive.

But I do have 3 adult children and 5 yes 5 grandchildren so enough to keep me busy if I want it!

People say and I have to agree that when you've been that close to going you do view life, the world from a different perspective.

I do but I must work a little harder at it to get the best out of me.
But funny you know now I've written that sentence as God is my judge all my annual school reports said the same.

Honestly, go figure!

I think I need to get back on topic before it's to late.


Mike
Sent from my Smartphone