Did I mention finally getting a car?

Okay - it's Ford, 2008 version, European with the wipers and indicators on the wrong side.
Day 3 and the engine light is on - external temp sensor showing -17 degrees C, which is about 40 degrees wrong, also a coil on a manifold vacuum controller has open circuited. Hoping to get to the wreckers soon for replacements, good job I enjoy playing with engines.

Having a car (station wagon) has ignited my dream of having a kayak and touring.
It's also meant less interest in having girl time.

BUT I did get out for 6 hours today 😃

First, early morning coffee at 7 am.

 

Coffee took a while as the grinder died and staff had to grab and set up the spare grinder. I wasn't in any hurry.
I visited Mitre 10 hardware, checked out their light fittings for youngest daughter before posing for you in the kitchen area. Found a bathroom mirror I would like to talk the wife into getting.

 

Had brunch with my girlfriend Josie. We have both been too busy to meet up over the last 4 months so it was great to see her again. After brunch we had a meander along one of our lovely beaches, got some sun rays 😀

 

Been one of those weeks

I did manage to buy a car - 2008 Ford Mondeo station wagon.
I still need to add a tow bar and roof rack.
The engine light came on, during my 3rd drive, think I'll be stripping and rebuilding a vacuum pump next weekend if my WD40 hasn't cured it.

But this week, the station wagon has allowed me to purchase some decent sized furniture for my youngest daughters bedroom. So it's been bedroom renovations / update for her room.

I did manage two, 1 hour dress sessions, one on the way to the wreckers to see if they had the correct tow bar for my car.
It was nice at Wild Bean Café at the gas station (after I got petrol) as they called out my name when my coffee was ready.

The second time, wearing what I hoped was my sluttiest skirt - that's my daughters name for it as it's tight, thin and short. The girls working, thought it funny I was taking selfies, but how else would you know I was out relaxing.

Exhausted

Been car hunting.
It's difficult as wife wants $30,000 car, but my budget is $5,000
It's not like my budget can't get a decent sedan or station wagon, but she wants a 4x4.
So after a couple of hours, I think it's time for coffee before I re-start my search.

Walk in the park.....

Friends invited me for a walk in the park...... Tongariro National park

I'm not out to them and even if I was I doubt anyone will have noticed, not like cross dressing is much fun in a 1 person tent in a -10 sleeping bag.

Monday
Found an hour of girl time before work due to rain waking me early.
Sorry - no make up as I have to see clients at 8 am.

 

Been photographed while out

Today I decided it would be nice to have brunch again with Josie.
She's had a busy year and luckily found a few hours spare to meet up. Not that my life hasn't been busy, wife always has something planned for me to do (keeps me out of trouble - apparently).

Next weekend, I'll be in boy mode, out in the wild with a 12 Kg backpack strapped to me as I do a 4 day walk that would probably take an 1 hour in a car - I'm taking a short cut between a couple of mountains.

Anyway, back to this morning.
First stop, MacDonald's for a coffee and a read of today's newspaper.
I had started out in one of my skirts that 2 of my daughters call my "slut" skirt, I mean it's not like it didn't cover my butt, besides, it used to be one of theirs when they were teenagers. Anyway, MacDonald's was busier than expected so I swapped to a more mature looking stripy skirt.

 

I also needed a battery pack and selfie stick for my hike, as well as scroggin and a few other tramping supplies, so a bit of shopping after coffee #1.

Eventually I meet up with Josie at "Sequel", a newly branded cafe in Botany.
The owner recognized me and we had a brief chat, apparently it was their "opening day".
What that means, is that while they still have my favourite breakfast, they also had their web designer running around taking photos and crowd shots for their web page.
So don't be surprised if I'm slightly famous on the Sequel cafe web page with a photo that looks a bit like this one the staff took of Josie and I.

Now wishing I spent more than 3 minutes on makeup and a bit miffed I totally forgot mascara this morning.