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Chas · 07-09-2003, 01:24 PM

Try driving in Jamaica,

Like driving in Britain if Britain was a third world country.

I still remember the Rastaman tutoring me on my initial drive, "Keep it to da left my friend and when you see the puss eyes at the roundie keep it to da left even more, blah, blah, blah ya mon! Want some ganja?? Red Stripe??

Chas

Pahaska · 07-09-2003, 01:25 PM

My first trip was from Gatwick to Southampton. I was dead tired from the flight, badly dehydrated, and I had a Chinese-born engineer with me as a navigator. Every time he got exceited, which was at every intersection and roundabout, he lapsed into Chinese. I would be yelling "Which way?" and he would be yelling something that sounded like "HSDG ygjg jags g jas dg fjkef w fui 8".

I finally reached Southampton and had to cross a bridge that was reduced to one lane by traffic cones. I kept hearing thumps. When I looked in the mirror, all I could see was about 20 orange cones rolling around in the road.

After about 6 months on and off in England, I felt just as comfortable there as here.

Ajrandzin · 07-09-2003, 01:46 PM

Many years ago my son purchase a brand new sporty car and let me take it for a ride. As i was passing a local Police station a foreigner ran the stop sign at the station and hit me hard. Some days you wonder.

85MH325 · 07-09-2003, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by canny_banjo_man
* I passed through a RED light in Orlando, an a patrol car was waitin to turn...Ooooppsss!!!...Yes Sir he hit the TWO'S 'n BLUES...and when I finaly STOPPED a mile down the road...after REALISIN it was ME he was after...lol... He said he gonna give my a CITATION...I ran bk to the hire van an told my wife he was gonna READ me some POETRY, well I thought that's what he MEANT...HONEST...an when he saw my drivin license...he jus looked at me an asked where ALL the violation-stamps were...I told him I DON'T have any...he looked at me in a strange way...a kinda " U KIDDIN...Yeh !!!..."...He smiled at me an said..." Getta out o here...enjoy Yr vacation...U did say U were from ENGLAND "... It was quite scarey, with his GUN openly displayed, an he was abt 7 foot tall, an the kinda Guy who one would'nt want 2 owe money to...if U get my drift, No doubt he is a realy NICE Guy...Chris.....

Chris...

So YOU were the crazy limey that blew that red light that I stopped when I worked in Orlando??? Just kidding! I didn't work in Orlando...

I DID work for San Diego PD for eleven years, many years ago... I'm sure that there are folks out there who told stories about me too...

Roger

canny_banjo_man · 07-10-2003, 09:39 AM

Hi All...
Agn I thank each an every one of U, 4 Yr coments and memories...realy look 4ward 2 readin 'em all...

.........
Well...I heard that FLA: got the first ROUNDABOUT a couple of years ago...but NO-ONE...that was NO-ONE could work out what it was, one Guy asked if it was a " GARDEN from SPACE "...
However...Pahaska...What that chap said 2U in Chinese was " What the..He"* ar" U *6="+!!!@#-' "....actualy It's best U don't know

...LOL... Any how " WHAT U wanna go to that place 4 " ?....
Say Roger, when I got the rental van TOTALED back in '00, in FL:, as I put on another post way bk when, ALL I r sayin abt the FL: PLOICE...is this..." THANK'S Guys U were GREAT " come 2 that so were DOLLAR RENTAL...
bhsl8, Well buddy one of my favouite cars IS a CORTINA MK. 1, I had abt 7 different models over the years, an STILL have fond memories for them...
For those of U who are familliar of the slogan " Do it in a WIGWAM "....well over the pond it was known as a COR-tina, ( as in Gee she is nice, we say COR look at that bit of skirt...)
(( SORRY Ladies...NOTHING meant in an OFFENSIVE way )).
I love the LAND ROVER it's ...it's so BRITISH, and YES we saw some in FL:...NEVER seen a HUMMER on the m-25 yet...
Got a fone call from the Ford dealer who doin my car...he says I got a CHIP on my windscreen...SORRY windshield

, says I r covered on MY insurance 4 FREE, so he goin to get the mobile "SCREEN" man to fix/seal it...'cos if it goes all the way, could cost as much as £ 400.00 as it is a HEATED/ TINT...I think these Guys sit around ALL day inventin SILLY PRICES jus 2 try scare folk...well he NEVER scared me, I aint scared of anything, OK one thing realy SCARES me...it is the " DEVILS SISTER "...I MARRIED her...

!!!...LOL ( ONLY FOOLIN HERE GUYS )...
Well I gotta LEAVE some ROOM 4 Yr post's...si I'll bid U a safe 'n happy evenin...ALL THE BEST...Chris.....

canny_banjo_man · 07-14-2003, 12:48 PM

Hi ALL.....
Firstly, Hi bhsl8...How U doin 2day good buddy, R U gettin anywhere with Yr claim 4 Yr A/S repairs, I kn it takes time, but on our 1st vac: 2 Orlando, we watched a house ( with POOL ) go up in jus under 3 WEEKS...had we NOT cn it with our own eyes we never would believe it... Jus wondered if Yr insurance companies were that QUICK !!!, If NOT sorry 4 upsettin U ...
My car was 2b ready last Fri:, but then 2day, NOW it's WEDNESDAY...some bull sh*t abt awaiting COMPLETION...

What happened was the WRONG colour PAINT was used, it WAS a very NEAR match, but NOT quite the right one...as it is a SPECIAL metalic flake, specialy for the GHIA'S, ( 2 b honest, there are NOT many abt...) so looks like I gotta wait...only hope it is worth it...LOL, They also repaired a chip on my front windscreen, sorry- WINDSHIELD

wait 4 it for "F R E E"...there's gotta b a catch somewhere

NO-ONE does a £35.00 job 4 NOTHING...specialy a MAIN DEALER...

Well take care now...Chris.....

bhsl8 · 07-14-2003, 04:37 PM

Hey Chris. Ins company has set appt to look at the AS tomorrow. I still don't have any worry about the Excursion, they don't even want to see that. The rep I spoke with talked about totaling the trailer but I will wait and see what they say before I confront them. Still haven't heard back from Steve at Ace Fogdall but he said be patient. My Excursion is black so I won't have any color issues. Good luck with yours.

canny_banjo_man · 07-15-2003, 02:01 AM

Hi bhsl8...
Wow...That's great news, I jus hope the follow-up goes smooth 'n quick 4U, Now where it gets hard is, well over here, is that if my car has bn totaled, the Ins: would only pay out BOOK-PRICE, it is a kind of vehicle pricing bible, an falls into 3 parts, bad high miles payin out price, middle band price & top dog price, 'fraid mine is 'between bottom 'n middle, but even PLEADIN 2 'em it is PRICELESS 2 me...jus FALLS on DEAF EARS, an can add another 2-3 months hagglin, for a meanie xtra $ 30-50...it's one BIG leagal FIDDLE...
If they do total Yr's are U goin 2 ask 4a BUY-BACK...U may get a GREAT price 4 Yr A/S, + 2 keep Yr other for a well knock down price, then either sell on or self build, now that would be a great RESTORATION project...!!!...IF U r BRAVE ENOUGH...LOL,

.....
I done that with a car I had owned many, many MOONS ago, I paid my £25.00 4a full chassis & body alignment drop test passed, so put on a used rear vallance & bumper, tha pair of reversing lamps, Re-notified our local license dept:, Guy came out 2 the MOT garage, inspected it, full MOT obtained...and sold the car next day for £ 300.00...+ my ins: pay out, 'n got myself a NICE newer car...all took abt...7 months...anyhow...it's ONLY time, lol.
What IS the EXCURSION ??? that they don't want 2c...???Y say it is BLACK...completly stumped me this time

SIGH !
Well agn GOOD LUCK 2U, ENJOY Yr day...Chris.....

bhsl8 · 07-15-2003, 04:43 AM

Hey again Chris. An Excursion is a large sport utility vehicle based on a Ford medium duty truck frame such as F250/350. It has a 6.8 L V10 and weighs about 7500 lb. I bought it specifically to pull my Airstream. I have been pleased with it but am very impressed with some of General Motors similar products. This is the last year that the Excursion will be made. It was soundly thrashed in the media and by environmental types for fuel inefficiency and just being a "big ass truck".

If I am not mistaken I may have to deal with "book value" as an issue with my trailer as well but things get a bit more subjective with a trailer that old so we will see. I may go the route of taking a check and buying for salvage. Doing that casts a significant stigma on the AS for future dealings. One of our fellow forum friends has suggested taking $ for a reduction in value and keeping the title clean that way. I like that idea and will see how it flies.

canny_banjo_man · 07-15-2003, 01:20 PM

Hi there...
What u talkin here IS " Toys 4 Boys "...LOL, a v10 6.8, yep sounds abt right...U say when U get 2 the GAS PUMP, they tell U 2 stop Yr engine...as Yr GAININ on the pump...How U doin 2day...
glad U got a lot of options here abt Yr A/S, it is a good thing, BUT don't 4get 2 tell the Ins: that the A/S is a piece of AMERICAN heritage, it is an ICON, an remind 'em 2 what it stands 4...jus incase they 4got...lol, give it 2'em...nicely of course,
Well I got THE fone call late 2day, my CAR is READY 4 collection in the mornin...YIPPEEEEEEEE...I don't care if they painted it candy PINK, as long as I can drive her agn...I realy missed my 'ole car, I hear they do a KEWL job on repairs...so it should b jus fine...( no doubt U'll hear me SCREAM...)...Well I gotta rush as I are STARVIN, jus got home from work...All the BEST 2 U n ALL...Chris.....

canny_banjo_man · 07-16-2003, 02:31 PM

Hi ALL...
Well went an collected my car this morning, the Guy in charge of inspection asked me go take a look at the finished job, he also says I got a waranty on the work for 12 months, 'fraid it DON'T cover future knocks on the front bumper...it looks great, I had a stone chip right on the lip of the hood, right on the edge...I DON'T anymore...Hee Hee...first class job, always is when someone else is payin 4it, I'll admit, I'm NOT the worlds best driver, I don't pretend 2b, I bn drivin over 30 years now, an still can NOT reverse between 2 parked vehicles...or MOVIN ones come 2 that...LOL, I did c a WOMAN holdin her MOBILE & smokin, with the same HAND...Mobiles are BANNED whilst DRIVIN over here in G B ...
85MH325...U heard the song " Give me 40 ACRES "...Well that abt sums it up 4my drivin, It is strange 2a " CRAZY LIMEY ", I kn that from past experiences, I can c where I want 2 b, but it's the GETTIN there bit that stumps me, I keep 4gettin that in some places there r 3 lanes......IN each DIRECTION...Ask the policeman my D/W says...I don't kn who ends up the MOST confused, one nice officer, VERY NICE officer who said FOLLOW me, as I tailed him out of the parkin lot he must have got a "call", as he was GONE in a flash...I sure hope the poor chap is'nt STILL lookin 4 me,...Yep I guess people DID talk abt U Roger...but I say whilst they r talkin abt U, they r leavin someone else ALONE..., besides it's NICE 2b remembered...LMAO...
well I gotta b on my way now, it could RAIN 2nite...( much needed )...it is hot as baked spuds...Chris.....

bhsl8 · 07-16-2003, 02:49 PM

Hey Chris, glad you got your wheels back. The inspector looked at my AS yesterday and as predicted he used the T word. Now the fun begins. I can hardly wait to see what they offer.

Pahaska · 07-16-2003, 02:54 PM

After all the time I spent in England, I never did get real happy about parallel parking. I could do it, but the stress level was always high.

The worst thing, though, was backing into a tight space. Worst place I encountered was on the ferry to Skye when I had to back between an articulated lorry (see, I know the lingo) and the side wall of the ferrry deck. They finally told me to just leave it where it was, but I couldn't get out of the car as it stood, so I had to keep working at it.

canny_banjo_man · 07-17-2003, 01:06 AM

Good morning from a WET 'n miserable day over here in the lesser G. B. ...lol, bhsl8.....I hope the "T" word don't stand 4 TRASH, jus a thought here B, do these ins: Guys REALY kn the VALUE of things, I don't mean object wise, as 2them it's just a piece of whatever, an they think MONEY can solve'n buy anything, I mean MENTAL stress wise, how U hunted Yr A/S 2 the end of the world, 2 ensure U got the best, the gettin it home, the fixin up, the lovin of turnin it into a second home, unless they own one too...I very much doubt they have any idea of it's TRUE value at all...2 those Guys it's jus a job. If U need a second op:, U tell that Guy 2 "E" me...I'll tell him the right price...OK...Good Luck...

Pahaska...Don't tell me U brought Yr " Yank-Tank " over with U...LOL, NO wonder U would'nt b able 2 park the thing...LOL. It's a wonder they did'nt charge U double price...if U did...Hee Hee...
Outside a "A U C E", in Kissimmee, I saw a parkin space an WENT 4 it...full lock, into REVERSE...backed in...easy- peasy, then as I got out this GUY says..." What U wanna park like that 4...U facin the WRONG way "!!!!...He went on to explain that the local Sheriff, a "NICE" man, would soon become a NOT so nice man if he had 2 get out of his patrol car to walk MILES around the side of the Van, to check the LICENSE plate date...I'm pretty sure a few DOUGHNUTS would have bn in order to waive a ticket...what U think?...lmao...Now the reason I backed into the spot was, there were NO other people around 2 LAUGH at my performance

,...I wondered why everyone parked that way...maybe a PLATE on the front too...LIKE WE HAVE...!!!!....
However I'm NOT gettin into that !!!!........
Well All have a GREAT day-2day, stay safe, read U all later..." The LIMEY "...Chris.....

85MH325 · 07-17-2003, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by canny_banjo_man
Outside a "A U C E", in Kissimmee, I saw a parkin space an WENT 4 it...full lock, into REVERSE...backed in...easy- peasy, then as I got out this GUY says..." What U wanna park like that 4...U facin the WRONG way "!!!!..." The LIMEY "...Chris.....

Chris... I gotta tell ya, I love your posts! The world needs more free thinkers like you to keep the place interesting!

Roger

Pahaska · 07-17-2003, 06:20 AM

Quote:

[i]Pahaska...Don't tell me U brought Yr " Yank-Tank " over with U...LOL, NO wonder U would'nt b able 2 park the thing...LOL. It's a wonder they did'nt charge U double price...if U did...Hee Hee... "...Chris..... [/B]

No, Chris, I always had a rental car while working there. No way would I have wanted a big car. Sometimes I had a Sterling with automatic when there were four of us, sometimes a Ford with manual when alone. The trip to Skye was on my own $$$, so it was a Ford.

I was always the designated driver since I was the senior person in the group and because one pint of bitter shandy was my limit for an evening.

canny_banjo_man · 07-17-2003, 01:29 PM

Good Evenin Roger/John, John/Roger...
It's bn said that I r STRANGE...well 4 those who don't kn me, I r NOT strange...I r DIFFERENT...lmao...
That out of the way...did I tell U I was " cabbie " for 12 years, well I sn things on the road that would BACON un-curl, let alone pigs tails...Being a law man I guess helped U cope in Yr part of the world...funny how some parts of the states " FLY ", an some have stood still in time,but ALL have the NEED for transportation, I only got time 4a quick word, but WILL catch U all later...so do tune in 2morrow...at Yr local Airstream Forum...run by Good Folk, 2 help All the Folk...TTFN...Chris...
1 smile is worth more than 3 frowns.....

bhsl8 · 07-18-2003, 03:33 AM

Good morning y'all. I just received my estmate from Steve at Ace Fogdall and the number exceeds $10K. No real surprises so far, so now we wait and see what the ins co offers. By the way, the very first question they asked me was if anyone was injured.

As far as retail value of the unit goes, I have been watching eBay and VAC and I see a tremendous range of from $4-9K. I realize it depends on condition and equipment etc but does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Everyone please have an enjoyable weekend in their Airstreams, be it kicking back or fixin stuff.

85MH325 · 07-18-2003, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bhsl8
Good morning y'all. I just received my estmate from Steve at Ace Fogdall and the number exceeds $10K. No real surprises so far, so now we wait and see what the ins co offers. By the way, the very first question they asked me was if anyone was injured.

As far as retail value of the unit goes, I have been watching eBay and VAC and I see a tremendous range of from $4-9K. I realize it depends on condition and equipment etc but does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Everyone please have an enjoyable weekend in their Airstreams, be it kicking back or fixin stuff.

Hi Brouck. Nope, it doesn't surprise me that Steve's estimate was over $10k. Labor is expensive! And, $4k to $9k is about right depending on condition, but I doubt that they'll even offer you that. Stick to your guns and document sales of 31' trailers so you've got something concrete to show current market value with. Good luck with whatever comes your way!

Roger

canny_banjo_man · 07-18-2003, 09:21 AM

Brouck, jus a thought here my Friend...{ quote }- Very 1st Q asked was any one injured...OK, let me think abt this, Thankfuly NO ONE was, with that out of the way, the INS: r a LOT happier no doubt, LESS 2b paid out, so does that mean due 2 that fact, U may get a lot HIGHER pay out ???...r U with me on that >
If I were U, knowing that, I would " Go 4 it "...think of a price U r realy willin 2 settle 4, ADD a couple of hundred $$$ onto it, then if they they get near-ish 2 Yr price, well it's in Yr court...
We all kn that the INS: Guys ALWAYS win, it's a kinda US 'n THEM...don't 4get, the poor 'ole Guy is ONLY doin HIS job, BUT don't let him fool U... he HAS the BACKIN of a multi-billion $ powerhouse behind him, an it costin him NOTHING..." What's the price for a hour with a solicitor " !!!!!.....???... .
So, if say U get a good price, DON'T feel bad abt it at all, if everyones policy went up by $1 next year, an they have THOUSANDS of people insured, they will recover the payment in no time at all...
...Sorry 2 ramble on "B", but only my opinion , I used 2b feelin guilty if I had 2 claim, now thinkin bk, over the last 30-ish years...U kn I only made a couple of claims, an total maybe 2 years cover costin...so I recon they owe ME, 4 NOT claimin...
Well Good luck my FRIEND...catch Ya later...Chris.....