I'm sorry, but is that the ambition of our brave settlers in the new world, a Ford Focus that holds six bags of cement?

It's probably true, six bags of cement, six Spanish words to communicate with the ignorant locals, and six posts a day to post rubbish, and six PMs a day to members to persuade them that sectioning is painless.

It's not.

Are you OK?

It was a Finbarr Saunders comment

8 bags mate. Much better.

No, I'm just more subtle when I choose to be.

Joking aside, buying a Ford Focus is an acknowledgment that the times of youth and adventure are finally over. It's quite a sensible thing to do when the first streaks of grey appear. Funeral insurance becomes important too, whether we like it or not.

Some of us try and delay the process by letting what's left of our hair grow into a pony tail and buying a Harley Davidson to frighten the natives, others grow old disgracefully by stumbling about in ridiculous shorts and frightening the life out of the old Spaniards quietly sipping their coffee and whisky, while quaffing pints of strong lager.

Either way, if you've got a FFF you're in the final furlong, you can see the finishing line.

I hope not. I'd like to think I have a few furlongs left.

We tend to make cars last in our family. The car my father bought well before his death (he died in 61) lasted my mother and me till the 80s. I had a couple of cheap non lasters till we had a new citroen estate which we drove into the ground, and then it was a mondeo which lasted till we moved to Spain and bought a FF.

So, I guess we get good use out of our cars. I'm hoping this FF will last for a while yet, and then I'd be happy to get another.

I do agree tho that the FF is a practical car, (You could say an old man's car, ) but then I've never had a taste for fantasy cars, and see the FF as immensely practical.

Naughty

I can't say too much, I had a Maxi once, and I've had Escorts, Cortinas, Granadas, the whole bunch. I came over to Spain in a Granada with yellow number plates and kept it here for eight years - I won't mention the colour of the number plates in case it causes another fuss.

On occasions when Lady Luck smiled on me, I bought myself a monster, usually with a star on the bonnet. I'm kidding myself, I know I am, but when I get into one of those I feel ten years younger. I don't give Spanish roundabouts a second thought, people make way for the monster, and if I use the kick-down the thing takes off.

I can see the current one seeing me out, but my wife nags me constantly to get something more appropriate, like a FF; but how can you swap a five litre, V8 engine for a whining Focus?

You cant so dont even think about it

As for transporting bags of cement in a car I just cannot imagine it. I thought that was what a trailer was for or better still get it delivered.

Don't worry, no one would ever imagine you in such a downmarket vehicle.

Equally I just can't imagine what it would be like living with someone who felt that way. High maintenance women and high maintenance cars. Neither are worth the effort, and both are grotesquely over rated when the basic services they provide are so cheaply available.

Horses for courses. If that's your pleasure, then go for it. I always thank the gods that I never developed a refined palate for wine, cars or music.

All three can be ruinously expensive at the upper end of the market.

Was just about to post 'lightweight' to whitelinen's comment - may even have added I'd load and unload the WAY more than 8 my pickup takes myself with help from the WOMEN staff at one of our local builders' yards - then saw bil's.

In life, what you need is a partner. Someone who will muck in and get their hands dirty to help you.

Not someone who sneers at your choice of car.

Once a gain a useful thread has gone wildly off topic.

As it is no longer remotely relevant to living in Spain I am moving it to Siesta Time.