When did 1992 become retro?

We bought a car. I'm in love already. How could you not be, when the hand winding windows and the non-central locking remind you of being a teenager and the cassette player lets you listen to *genuine* 90s cassettes. Never did grunge sound so good but on the rear speaker-ed sound system and the actual key means you can both go surfing at the same time. [we haven't yet had time to do that with the new auto, but AUX's little zapper meant we either had to surf in tandem or entrust the keys to the National Trust car park man]. Plus you can listen to the radio when parked with the engine off with the window down. And then turn it off and wind it up and get out all without having to start the engine again. And did I mention we get to listen to all our 90s cassettes again. I knew there was a reason we never threw anything away... It's also only got 4 gears. Never again do I have to wonder, driving along the country lanes of Exmoor, whether I should be in 4th or 5th. No choice now. I told you it was love :)

(and when Husband pulled up he to collect me after work, he had to lean over to unlock the passenger door. I may be turning 30 next birthday, but I will forever more feel 17 and that "just off to a gig with my musician boyfriend*" excitement when my man has to lean over to unlock the passenger door for me - even if we are then driving to Taunton for him to get on the train)

*true story. he was a bassist.

RIP AUX

It is a sad day in our house. AUX, our lovely trusty SAAB died. Husband and I were extremely fond of old AUX. He was the car we left for our honeymoon in, our first car, the first thing we properly owned together. We knew he was old. But we had hoped he would live on for a while yet. Things weren't right on Saturday. The oil light kept trying to come on. By Saturday afternoon we had left to drive the 4 hours to visit Husband's Granny. But AUX could make it no further. His oil light came on and stayed on. We poured in 4 litres of oil. To no avail. The engine started sounding funny. We pulled over at a layby and called the recovery services. They came and after checking the enormous piece of half roasted lamb that was in the boot would be ok, we watched the rescue man tow him backwards onto the truck. On Monday they came back and towed him to the nearest garage. By 3.30pm they had pronounced him DNR. Husband tried not to be too sad as he emptied AUX of his myriad possessions. We had a courtesy car for 24 hours whilst we tried to decide where he should have his final resting place. He will most likely be sold for parts by the garage, who will give us £150. The courtesy car is like driving a mini bus (which surprised me given that it is a Pergeout 307). I now will have to rely on the 8am bus and a series of taxis and begged lifts back to the village until we can buy a new car. RIP AUX. You will be missed.

(photos by family members of us leaving for our honeymoon. For obvious reasons I had not shared them before. I guess it doesn't matter now.)