GARAGES! We hates them, precious.

[erastes]

I had to get my car MOT'd today (don't know what the non UK equivalent is, but it's a roadworthy test done once a year) so I decided that, as I would have to wait a while while they fixed what needed fixing it would be easier to drive over to Dad's and wait in comfort.

So dropped the car off at 10am, and at 1130 they rang to say that (unsurprisingly) had failed but on a few minor things: a chipped windscreen, needed new brake pads, and a sidelight bulb. So of course I said "please fix" and they said "We can't do the work today." WTF? What did they expect me to do? What about if I hadn't had a Dad to sit with for the day? GRRRR.

So I picked it up, then drove all the way to Yarmouth to the Autoglass centre where they put a new windscreen on. So I'll have to find another place to do the other work and retest it because I'm damned if I will EVER go back to bloody Roger Hannant in North Walsham WASTE OF A DAY AND FORTY BLOODY QUID.

However, everything happens for a reason, as I always say, and while I was sitting in the waiting room at the Autoglass centre, I spotted a new copy of Gay Times Magazine which I jumped on with as much gusto as I would have jumped on a Horse and Hound when younger, much to the bafflment of the other waiting motorists. Whilst reading, I found an advert for two gay historical books by a guy called Nick Heddle, published by Melrose Books: “Simon-A Decline and Fall of the English Landed Gentry,” and "His Master's Lover" - 1950s and WW1 respectively. Annoyingly Mr Heddle doesn't appear to have a website (I am doing a post on this vital communication device in a couple of days at Meta Writer) so I’ll just buy the books and then try and contact him regarding bringing him into the gay historical fold! 

Has anyone heard of him? Read him?

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Comments

[probodie.livejournal.com]

I have His Master's Lover by Mr Heddle.

I wasnt overly impressed myself and I am usually very easy to please with my fic. I dont know exactly what it was about it, but it didnt read that well.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Oh that's good - I'm glad that someone's heard of him and i'm not just going mad - I bought both today, so I'll post on them when I've read 'em.

[vaughn-r-demont.livejournal.com]

I had to get my car MOT'd today (don't know what the non UK equivalent is, but it's a roadworthy test done once a year)

Sounds like the same thing as our state inspections, though the level of the "roadworthy" bar seems to vary depending on which state you're in, and where you are in which particular state. :)

[erastes.livejournal.com]

You and your state laws - what a barmy system!!!

[schmoo999.livejournal.com]

You don't have to have your car checked like this in Ohio. (and OMG State rights, can't trample on those. lol.)

But the police can pull you over and tell you if you have a busted light or ticket you for a cracked windshield, etc.

[julieannette.livejournal.com]

lol my state repealed the safety inspection laws in 2001 and we no long have to get the inspections done at all. I don't mind that at all but it's kind of weird.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

so much for the Green target then, eh?

[julieannette.livejournal.com]

I guess so. I wonder what they were thinking!

[ammonite7.livejournal.com]

I so wish I did not need a car. Only out here 23 miles of dirt roads I do to get anywhere, 4-wheel drive even. So, you see, it could be worse. Your tires never last half as long as they are supposed to, your alignment needs aligning constantly, stones get under there (don't ask me under what, except it rattles), your . . . oh, hell, enough already. Because we want to live this peaceful life in the mountains under pine trees among bears and mountain lions.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

It's much the same here - not dirt roads, and certainly no mountain lions, but I'm ten miles from anywhere! (which I love)

[gavinatlas.livejournal.com]

They have a gay magazine in the waiting room of an Autoglass shop? You live in an amazing country.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I was very happy - of course I then sat and looked at the grease monkeys with an appraising eye wondering which one it might have belonged to!! :D

And yes, I do - problems, incompetent and dishonest politicians aside, I do love being English.