The Big 40

So, 'me Man' has had his birthday, he is now officially 40, and I can let you know just what I did finally decide to get him (couldn't let you know before just in case he read the blog and found out, yeh like that would ever happen!).
It was a week before his birthday and I was lying in bed, and it came to me! I knew he was looking for an old Mini to 'do up', he has been checking the internet and the Mini World magazine for some time now, he does tell me all about it and I nod and listen (with one ear). So that was it, I decided there and then, I was going to get him an old Mini, I was going to get it in Shetland, in 7 days, and it was going to happen (and I may even organise a small party!). The next day came and I got on the phone, I began by phoning around the local garages, now I knew they wouldn't have one, but they are all male and they know about cars so thought they may be able to help, so I was given various names and numbers of people who may have or may know where I could find an old mini, and I phoned them all. I had a mixed response, 'sorry I got rid of it last year', 'no it rusted away', and the ultimate was 'yes I had one registered in 1966 (me man's year of birth), but I got fed up doing it up and no body wanted it so I ran over it with a tractor a few month's ago' (I nearly cried!).

I even resorted to knocking on doors and asking if they would sell me the one that sat outside. But finally I found one which had been advertised in the Shetland Times back in January, it was a 1978 Mini Clubman Estate (I looked up the internet, they are ugly!!!, but it's not for me), so I arranged with the boy to take a look the night before 'me man's' birthday. I took a Billy brother in law with me as I know precious little about cars (although I have found out a great deal since beginning my search), we arrived at the byre it was being stored in (in the dark), there were no light's and when Billy turned on his torch, I was actually quite pleased there were no lights. To me, it looked like a ruty old heap of shite (and that's being polite), I had at least expected windows and doors (well, they were there, just not attached to the car) but he dutifully looked over it for about half an hour and announced that the bodywork was 'sound', that was good enough for me, I took photos, got the keys paid the man (bid him down first) and set off for home.
I got home and wrapped up the keys and handed them to him with a big early 'Happy Birthday' kiss, he opened it up and actually said very little, so I showed him the photos and explained that the bodywork was 'sound' even though it looked absolutely horrendous.
All in all I think I did very well, I got him something he has always wanted, and I managed to get it in 7 days in Shetland, and after it had sunk in, he was pleased (I think he was shocked I had managed to get it). Just got to persuede Dad to let him use the shed now for the renovation!