Modern Vespa

Well since I left my previous company they have lost 3 dealerships in my area and the replacement driver/fitter has been sacked.

Apparently the customer service has gone through the floor. Ho Hum.

My new job however is just amazing.

I love what I do and like the majority of the people I work with.

My Boss is brilliant as are our customers.

I, for once am verreh happy.

Bill x

Oh, you wags

I did have a little riff off Fast and Furious 7 because the Vespa Club Branch number is 77. The main thing on my mind when that photo was taken was how I am going to find somewhere to park amongst the 150 or so scooters in this pub car park?...

Great to hear the job news Bill. You get what you go for in life, apparently. I need that sort of result from my next job move this year.

Have good Easter weekends Skok pals.

Yeah, great news Herr Hund. Enjoying your job while savouring the sweet taste of schadenfreude... Priceless

I have a white Kymco Downtown 300i in my garage.

I'll look at it in the morning.

Bill xxx

I'm in London with some of my teens again. Unfortunately they are stuck like glue to me except for toe hours tonight when I drop them off at st. PAul's for a Harry Potter tour. If anyone wants to save me text 1-858-472-4367.

More notice needed !!!!!

Bill x

so on Wednesday I receive the quote from the building firm I've been working with thus far to plan my kitchen extension. sharp intake of breath. with VAT added in, it's about as much as I make in a year and more than double the original ballpark estimate. sorry, no.

on Thursday, I ring the builder (linked to me by two degrees of separation via Kitty) who did a beautiful job on my alcove bookshelves in the front room. he knew of my plans to extend the kitchen and had already offered to take care of all the internal work. He puts me in touch with some other chaps who can do the shell. I saw them on Thursday afternoon and they expect to be able to do the job for a good deal less than I've been quoted, while still remaining faithful to the architect's plans, complying fully with building regs, and not charging me an arm and a leg in VAT.

today I ride down to Basildon to a kitchen showroom (Wren) recommended to me by the kitchen fitter - he's fitted quite a few of their kitchens lately and has been very pleased with the quality. As it happened they are having a promotion and i got the whole lot plus most of the appliances for much, much less than I'd have paid for a comparable Benchmarx, John Lewis, or Ikea kitchen.

What I'm learning about Essex is that if you know the right people you're never more than two degrees of separation away from an excellent builder who doesn't have to advertise because he gets all his work on recommendations and word of mouth, who doesn't have a staff and overheads to deal with, who may look like a bit of a killer but who turns out to be a fantastic craftsman who does amazing work. i'm sure there are terrible cowboys out there too, but it seems that all you need is a foot in the door and a few contacts in order to avoid them.

so anyway, i've now got a fantastic kitchen - all that remains is to create the actual space in which to install it

Great news, genie. Sounds a lot like Paros.

Genie

It's not just in Essex, my son is an electrician and his best mate is a plumber.

Browney lives in Basildon

She's here....7lb 6oz

Adorable

Congratulations Pepy

Nice one mate! Absolutely gorgeous, I want one!

Congrats Mr & Mrs Pepy and daughter!

Flattery Al?

Present from the Easter Bunny?

I just re-read Al's post. Can be taken two ways:

Congrats to Mr and Mrs Pepy and (their new) daughter.
congrats to Mr and Mrs Pepy and daughter (on the delivery of her daughter)

Only one of which is correct...

Great stuff Pepy!!

Mazel Tov Pepy, grandchildren are the best.....

Massive congrats Pepy!

Photo's or it didn't happen.

It will happen, just not today Dave.

Well done Pepy.

All together now - awwwwwww.

Birreh !

awww, Pepy - she's gorgeous

and you look like a proper doting grandfather

Thanks folks, she's gorgeous and very well behaved....so far

I'm allergic to kids (and HM revenue), But congrats nonetheless!

Congrats Grandpa.

A lovely girl to join your tribe Pepy.

In other news, I'll be back in the UK on Wednesday afternoon, stringing jet-lag out in the pub that evening and getting down to house-selling business on Thursday.

Has anyone local-ish to me (Hampton Hill, TW12) got a utility trailer I could borrow for four weeks? I'd be a bit pee'd off having to buy one just for a few vital fetches and carries.

Does any trailer retail outlet local to you do rental ?

It's a possibility ?

Bill x

Good point - I've no idea. <Googles> Looks like there's a trailer hire place in Staines - perfick!

I worked in a tool hire shop for 3 years so the thought did occur to me.

If you book it for 4 entire weekends ask them if they can do a deal ?

Keep us updated on your progress please.

Bill x

Throw back Tuesday - 48 years young today!

Happy Birthday, mate , have A Great Day

Happy Birthday Mate. Have a great day-good weather for a ride BTW!

Χρονια Πολλα!

Goodness, so much news! Meg, so sorry I wasn't around to save you Congrats Pepy, happy birthday Mr Beret, and I hope to see a) Jim and b) Bill's new scooter at the earliest opportunity.

I have been spending the long weekend with Howard's family in Leeds. Some riding, much more eating.

Happy Birthday BB

Happy Birthday Paul.

Yup, you're still looking good.

Bill xxx

Congrts Pepy, looks like you've just yourself a potential pillion. Gass silver machine gts 250

One for the Londoners? Some solidarity with the vintage and trad Vespa and bike riders...?

I'd be up for that Paul

Happy belated birthday btw.

So it's getting a bit warm out there these days so our Service Manager went out and bought us all an ice cream.

I like working here.

Bill xxx

Keep us posted mate, I am looking at going with anyone else interested on here. PM me if you want to meet up as a group beforehand.

Not sure I'll be down myself - the diary is starting to get pretty rammed and if I sign up for a local BikeSafe course that'll be assessment day. I'm deffo in for the Buck House ride 8) Can't see any date published yet for the Great London Ride Out, which I'd like to do again too. Got a few more flyers to post over in my list in Rallies -> UK Rallies and Events 2015 (Page 2)