I found another gadget on the new car this week, Automatic Lights. Just turn the main light switch to Auto, and the lights come on when the sensor decides it is dark enough. For now, we have left it on that setting, but it’s good to know it can be overridden if you want to decide when to switch them on.
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As predicted, my birthday was quieter than usual. I received some nice cards, and Julie bought me some new Australian Sheepskin slippers, plus a nice bottle of red wine. I also got a bottle of wine from one of my step-daughters, and a delivery of chocolate truffles from one of my cousins. The children of my blogging friend Eddy Winko sent me some more chocolates and lovely hand-made cards, all the way from Poland.
In the evening, Julie took me to the Turkish Restaurant in Dereham, and we enjoyed a delicious meal.
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The weather in Beetley warmed up significantly, but that meant we lost the sunshine and blue skies, which were replaced by rain. Just as well I didn’t want to go out for the day on my birthday, as it was quite miserable. A contrast to last year at this time, when I was wearing shorts.
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Ollie is still doing well, and has not flagged at all on his walks this week. His appetite is good, and he has been playing with his toys. All very positive, for his age.
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Whatever you are doing today, do it with a smile.
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I have been living out of a suitcase for several weeks now and haven’t had a minute for wordpress til yesterday. I read your posts and feel like I came home to a friend.x Michele
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That’s a lovely thing to say, dear Michele.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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I am so sorry, Pete! I’d missed your birthday1 ;-( Happy Birthday, and i hope you had a wonderful start of the new year the past days! xx Michael
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Thank you, Michael.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Chocolates and wine… a quiet but nice birthday then, Pete xx
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The restaurant meal in the evening was very tasty, rounded off the day nicely.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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A chipper dog, quiet birthday, and a car that’s full of surprises. I’d say your life is going splendidly! Happy belated birthday Pete. Hugs, C
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Thanks very much, Cheryl. No complaints at the moment. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete. x
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It sounds good to me, Pete. Not a lot of fuss is my preferred mode for celebrations. Happy belated birthday, Pete.
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Many thanks, Olga.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I have the automatic lights feature on my car, which I like. It’s good if you’re a bit forgetful like me. Sometimes when I’m driving and pass through a shadier area during the day, I’ll notice the lights come on. It seems like a good safety feature.
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That happens when we go under bridges or overpasses here. It surprised me at first. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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No thank you to gadgets. I’m so glad Ollie is doing well. Happy quiet birthday, Pete.
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Many thanks, dear Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You are welcome, Pete. Best to you.
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(1) Is there an automatic camera in the car? Lights. Camera. Action!
(2) By mid-afternoon, Pete was feeling peckish. That evening, Julie fulfilled Pete’s birthday wish. After Pete had eaten, Julie asked, “Was the Turkish dish delish?”
(3) We’re getting a few drops of rain here in Las Vegas today. Basically, we get California’s leftovers.
(4) Ollie has not flagged on his walks. But did you know that he’s practicing his semaphore behind your back?
(5) I have miles of smiles. (If only I could find where I put them…)
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We have some heavy rain this morning that I would like to send your way, David.
Best wishes, Pete.
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New cars are always an adventure of finding new things and missing old we just bought a new car like yours auto lights but found a button, when activated auto dips high beam when another car is registered by the radar, with cruise control I’m not sure if I drive it or it’s driving me. Turkish sounds so good to me right now, might just have to book a table.
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We have turned off cruise control, Bobby. Enjoy that Turkish meal I did!
Cheers, Pete.
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Sounds like it was a great birthday. Our car has the auto function for the lights. I love it.
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Glad to hear you enjoy the Auto lights, Peggy.
Best wishes, Pete.
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As I used to always say to my cousin after his birthdays after he became an ordained minister: “Congratulations, you made it through a birthday without getting arrested,” Warmest regards, Ed 🙂
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He was a lucky man, Ed.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Sounds like the perfect celebration – cheers!
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There was only one other couple in the restaurant, a quiet Thursday! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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My car has auto lights too and it’s really good. The mechanics always switch it off when doing a service, so I have to remember to switch it on again! BTW did you ever have a gear oil change in your automatic?
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It was done at a main dealer service a couple of years ago. The gearbox was fine, and worked really well. It was the Selector Lever Microswitch that failed, and could not be replaced.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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OK. Thanks for that. My VW dealer keep sending me emails saying it is due. The garage I use for servicing hasn’t mentioned it.
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On previous automatic cars, I used to top up the transmission fluid myself, and the gearbox was a sealed unit that supposedly should never need replacement oil. On my last one, it was all-in-one, and had to be done by the main dealer with special tools. I forget how much they charged, but it wasn’t cheap. (Nothing is) I tried to get it done by someone who wasn’t a main dealer, and he said he wouldn’t touch it.
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Mmm… maybe I’ll leave well alone. No idea how much longer this car will last.
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Worth getting a quote from VW, see how much they want for the job. If the gearbox does fail, your only option will be to scrap the car.
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Recommendation is 60k to 100k miles. I’m on 77k
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Mine was done at around that mileage. It had done 81,000 when I part-exchanged it on the 1st of this month, but I do very low annual mileage.
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Glad you had a nice birthday, albeit a quiet one. On my next birthday I’ll be able to claim my state pension!
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I am getting a 10.1% increase on my State Pension from April. Wiped out by inflation of course, but better than nothing.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Wiped out by the personal tax allowance remaining the same too! And these high prices will never come down again.
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Glad you had a good week. Warmer weather will come soon, no doubt. Love to Ollie.
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It is warm today, by comparison. Cloudy, and 14C.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You got a nice haul of gifts. Sorry about the weather.
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At least it is 10 degrees C warmer, Robbie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Sounds like a good, quiet birthday, and you have a happy Ollie…
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Thanks, Sue. A happy Ollie means a happy Pete.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Good!
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I’m glad you had a good birthday–with chocolate!
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I don’t eat that much chocolate, to be honest, but received just enough for an occasional treat.
Thanks, Liz.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Glad you had a nice birthday with some lovely gifts.
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Thanks, Darlene, it was a happy day.
Best wishes, Pete.
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sounds like a lovely week, and a nice, peaceful birthday –
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It was indeed, Beth.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Glad you’ve had a good week and birthday, and that Ollie is still chipper. That car will be the gift that keeps on giving, Phil is still finding things on his after several months!
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Yes, the car seems to hold many ‘secrets’. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Nice to know you enjoyed your birthday celebration. Hello there Ollie🙋♀️
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Thanks very much, Arlene.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Wonderful to know that you had a nice birthday and that Ollie is a happy pup!
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Thank you, Annette.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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A belated happy birthday to you, Pete! We’re delighted to read that Ollie is fine and doing well and you and Julie are well. Our Volvo is almost five years and we still find new things to learn about the car. Enjoy your Sunday!
Warm greetings from the coast (wells at least it’s 15° C warmer than in Oslo 😉)
The Fab Four of Cley 😊😊😊😊
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Many thanks, dear Dina.
Best wishes, Pete. X
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