Preparing for the biggest move of our life

bellevie

Half day today!

I made a few calls to get quotes for the cambelt in my car. I have had a few different responses some say it doesn't have a belt but a chain so doesn't need doing. Others have quoted me. I've looked in the service book but its not at all easy to work it out!
I also was worried my brakes may need doing, they have been squeaking slightly when I stopped. Then today, driving home in very wet weather it hasn't done it! So I think something maybe drier than it should be.

My gripe is, I haven't found a garage locally that I trust so I wouldn't believe who-ever I went to anyway! I did have one company actually, but I found them just before they went through a merge and the company they merged with is too much of a trek away....annoying!

I will wait and see what happens in the next few days with my brakes - they definitely work had a fortunate near miss earlier. Put my mind at ease at the same time as giving me a fright!

I have had a naughty lunch - walnut cake & tea - delicious!

catriona79

Hello,

Just a quick post - have you checked which garages near you belong to the four major servicing codes: Bosch Car Service, The Good Garage Scheme, Motor Codes and Trust My Garage?

Not a guarantee, obviously.

Good luck!

Ps. I've made a flourless orange cake - about to cut it!!! http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/14822/flourless+orange+cake

RosaBernicia

Re the belt, try online forums including the motoring section on here. Mine similarly doesn't have a belt just a chain, but I recall I had to look that up.

Re garages I would try word of mouth - can you ask around at work or local friends? I now go to a brilliant one recommended by a colleague, they have built their reputation on being fair and not ripping off women who go there and it's clearly working for them!


Rosa xx

Verbatim

Good idea from Rosa B.
Is there a local website where residents pass on tips about local shops and businesses?

bellevie

Thank you Rosa & Verbatim.


Yes the good one that merged was brilliant and came recommended just the location that's a pita! I didn't rate another one that was highly recommended, over the years I too many mistakes to count I lost faith in them, perhaps they were overworked through the constant referrals!


I may ask at my workplace see if there is a garage I can drop it into enroute to work!


I think its definitely chain after visiting endless sites, they don't make it easy these car manufacturers do they!

bellevie

DD done superbly in her swimming lesson, 3 more lessons til the end of term, I think perhaps 1 more term and she should be moving up to the next group - fingers crossed!


Rebooking unfortunately is next week so I might need to borrow from my savings and replace the following week when paid.


Im now going to veg out on the sofa until its time to drag myself to bed.....its Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RosaBernicia

bellevie wrote: »

I think its definitely chain after visiting endless sites, they don't make it easy these car manufacturers do they!

No, it's not helpful :mad:

But it does help with your garage selection, because now you know never to go near the ones who quoted you for a belt!


Rosa xx

bellevie

I aimed to keep shop under £20 today, due to a small shop at Lidl Thursday Morning - spent £18.64!


We went round Tesco with the scanner to keep track. We didn't need any meat or fish or cleaning bits which helped keep it down a lot. I also picked up brie from the cheese counter, it was a little cheaper than the pre wrapped cheese. Cheddar was also cheaper but bigger than what we would have got through - I've found myself throwing away bigger blocks even before they are due to go out of date.


We will also be working through the freezer so that I can defrost it before I next need to do a large freezer shop. Thing is, when I buy large packs of meat, I freeze and forget about it so I'm sure most of the bagged meat will have to be thrown. The shop bagged meat is still in date.


We are making pizza for tea tonight as DD's request. Tomorrow I plan to do a chicken stew and hopefully make enough to take some to work on Monday.


Im going to sort the bits in the freezer that need to be thrown to the bottom tray so I can empty the lot on the next bin change day. We live right by huge forests so I don't want to risk the foxes emptying my bin. Actually - would foxes appreciate the meat instead of throwing it? I might have to google a little!

thegreenone

You don't have to throw meat if you froze it on the day of purchase ie before use by date. Promise me you won't. Also you can freeze cheese. I buy a big lump and cut it into three, freeze two and use the other. My boys know to get another chunk out if they use the last.

fieldend

bellevie wrote: »

DD done superbly in her swimming lesson, 3 more lessons til the end of term, I think perhaps 1 more term and she should be moving up to the next group - fingers crossed!


Rebooking unfortunately is next week so I might need to borrow from my savings and replace the following week when paid.

Amusing, we're on the same schedule - kids assessment took place today, next week we have to book next round of lessons (but my DD moved up a level today, after staying for I don't know how many terms - it seemed like forever - at the same level )