I finally have it!

I finally have it…

It feels like a life time ago that my friend offered to sell his car to me before he emigrated, and I feel like I have had to complete some of the tasks of Jason and the Argonauts to get it, but I finally have my new car…

What wonderful feeling – to own a car of your own, that you are not borrowing and beholden to someone.

I got my new Audi A4 on Saturday, and immediately set about using it and enjoying it.
Ulricha and I took it for a jaunt out to Lanseria, a small airport close to home, where I was considering continuing my flight training. But having checked the facilities, I have decided to stay put at Rand Airport – a decision almost confirmed by our visit out there on Sunday where we looked around the hangar and the aircraft.

I haven’t flown for a long while, but have booked my next flight for Sunday of next week – so the training continues!

But that is next week – right now I am just enjoying my new toy.

Driver's licence saga - RESOLUTION

I finally have it!

Having fought with seemingly every government department in Gauteng Province, and beaten my head on just about every bureaucratic wall to be seen – and some even unseen – I have my temporary drivers licence in my grubby little mitt!!!

And to top that, my credit card style drivers licence will be available for collection in the mythical “6 to 8 weeks”.

This little piece of information makes no difference to me being able to drive in South Africa – but it does mean that my car finance has finally been fully completed and that I can now buy the car I have been wanting…

The process has been long and painful and frustrating, but somewhere hidden in the miles of red tape, there is a process to follow… I will give full detail of the requirements and the process, as to be honest, I have not been able to find a decent set of instructions for this myself – so I may as well make one up and share it with everyone.

But that will have to wait for another day.

Right now I am busy dancing on the ceiling, temporary driver licence in hand…

Getting mobile

Tuesday I continued getting things in place and set up here.

My bank accounts were finally sorted out and completely happy with me - now at least my bank manager will give me the time of day, rather than a disapproving look and a loud "tutting".

I also have my SA mobile and internet access sorted out - the only fly in that particular ointment being my UK service provider's locking of my hand set.... So a plan has been put in place to get that particular little issue resolved.

And most significantly of all, I bought myself (ok, perhaps more specifically, I ORDERED) a new car!

I bought myself a Volkswagen Jetta 1.8 TDi - a great 4 door sedan which has met with universal approval as I have told people of my choice. Costing about two thirds the price of an Audi A4, the Jetta will still give me a really comfortable ride, and fabulous fuel economy. A really significant fact, given the Diesel price here is climbing steadily... still cheaper than the translated UK Pound price of a litre of Diesel, but still quite expensive.

So slowly I am getting a life created and in place, which is a huge relief.
I wonder what excitement Wednesday will hold?