Posts that Didn't Happen: March 2026

The month didn't start well, after the Idiot Abroad (aka Trump) started a war in the Middle East, and sent oil prices rocketing - unfortunately our oil tank was by then rather low, so the rayburn promptly went off!  

Then we managed to break the oil monitor when changing its battery (needing to keep an eye on how low the tank actually was) which had to be replaced too :(

In the garden, we decided to have a go ourselves at reining in the yew tree, which had bushed out quite a lot on the side near the house.  It wasn't an entirely successful exercise, as we couldn't get to one top branch, and another branch nearly took out Martin and wooden arch!

Still - it's better than it was - although we now have a huge pile of yew tree branches to deal with.

Early in the month I also headed across country to visit the folks for a couple of days, help out with medical appointments, and take Mum to visit an old friend.  

Stayed with my sister and brother-in-law (who's very into his Lego), and amused myself by hiding a small Lego knight mini-figure in his Home Alone display piece - will he ever notice??

Home to 'fluttering' noises in the rayburn flue.  We assumed there was a bird in there, and ended up partially deconstructing as much of it as we could in the hope that it would find its way 'down'.

Eventually all went quiet, so it either found its way 'up' or expired in the flue - hopefully the former!

In other news . . .  continued with a consultancy project; bought new smartwatches (mine now tracks my swimming lengths, so no excuse for losing count!); indulged in more Lego (adding the Viking Village to last month's Medieval Town Square); and Martin fitted a new inverter to the campervan (replacing a very noisy model we returned for a refund).

The end of the month saw us back across country for a 63rd Wedding Anniversary family party.

Had a lovely celebration weekend with extended family - also took Mum a Wade 'Treasure Trail' set I found online (like the one she remembers her Mum having).

The last day of the month saw us back home, where a shopping trip to town saw our newly MOT'd (if rather old) car, bashed up while parked in a local car park - starting a whole new saga . . .

Van Living?

With the weather getting a bit warmer we finally decided to test out the new car's sleeping potential. 

Removed the back seats, sorted out a makeshift mattress, blocked out some of the windows with bits of cardboard, and brought down our bedding, ready for - yes - a night on the drive!

It was a bit on the chilly side - but for the most part we slept ok - and we could get in and out via the two sliding doors.  By the morning we were a bit 'condensated', and we were awake early with the sunshine (not having blacked out all the windows) - but yes, it works as a place to sleep.

Less convinced how it will work as a 'living' space with two of us out and about - trying to get changed, going out for a walk, etc.

Still considering the options!

Changing Cars

Earlier this year our trusty Hyundai clocked 100,000 miles, and since then we'd added another 16,000 or so (mostly for Martin's work).

With the mileage rising, and tyres and brakes coming up for replacement, we decided it might be time to look for a newer model . . .

. . . and last week the deal was finally done.


So today, we said goodbye to our little Hyundai - and not without some sadness, as it has been a brilliant car.

Picked up our new vehicle - a second-hand Peugeot Partner Tepee Outdoor - from a dealer a few miles away in Llanidloes.

We went for this model as it ticked lots of different boxes.


It will primarily be my car (as Martin now has one from work, given the amount of mileage he's doing!) - getting me round town, travelling for work, etc.

It can take passengers (for when we have family or friends visiting), but being based on a van body, it also has a massive boot, capable of carrying a lot of hedge clippings!

There's also the prospect that we can fit it out as an occasional mini-camper van - there are ready-made 'kits' you can get to fit into the boot and unpack into seating with table, or a sleeping platform.  Still considering our options at the moment - but watch this space!

100,000 and Counting . . .

Car is doing well - just clocked 100,000 and still going strong!