Well, I did it!

I drove the car for the first time A bit of faffing about to get the seat position right (at one point I did think that I might need leg extensions but got there in the end.) Luckily I remembered that the seat can be raised a little, so I could actually see over the steering wheel. Turned it round on the drive without hitting anything, crawled off down our cul de sac at a hair raising 15mph, turned the wipers on to inform anyone who might be around that I intended to turn left. It is a little known fact that this is a long standing Devon custom. The only witnesses to this were Marvellous Marvin and his sister Sydney, my neighbours recent additions to their feline family. I think Marvin was quite impressed, but Sydney was dealing with a particularly fierce butterfly at the time and was therefore unable to give me her full attention.

I had intended to stop at the village shop, but wasn't entirely sure that I would be able to park in the space, so sailed gaily on at a dizzying 25mph.

Turned left out of the village square defying all local convention by actually using the indicators (I just don't care, rebel that I am) pootled along the lanes fairly happily, touching 35mph on occasions.

Then, the proper road! One with a number and white lines down the middle! Right turn onto this one, also a notoriously bad junction to come out of, you practically have to be half way out before you can see if there is anything coming.

Then I was off, bowling along (roof up, as it looked like it might rain) Feeling a bit more confident I upped the speed to 50 mph, but then got behind a tractor and decided to stay there. A car came up behind me and I could almost sense them wondering why on earth I didn't overtake (mutter mutter, powerful car, mutter, FFS, mutter, bloody woman, mutter). Fortunately the tractor turned off before it became too embarrassing.

Reached the supermarket car park, luckily lots of spaces available so I was able to pull into a "double" one. (Wasn't too sure how the turning circle was, my Focus is awful for that but this one is actually very good)

Got the shopping, (well, some of it I was a bit discombobulated), came out and decided to put the roof down for the drive home.

Lovely! got up to 60 mph (but no more) went to flick my cigarette ash (yes, I know) out of the window before I realised that the window was actually up so got black jeans and t shirt sprinkled.

Aaaany way, that was my first go, and I have to say I really rather liked it!

Bit of a PS, our neighbour was having a good look at it last night, asked if it had a spare wheel, furtled about found it also proper Mercedes toolkit, warning triangle, first aid kit etc. Mr P had the grace to look a bit sheepish. he had bought it without even looking under the bonnet or in the boot!