Kate Kembery
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Posts by Kate Kembery
Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion 1.9 TDi
Feb 6th
The Look
If like me you remember the Golf the first time round there will be no surprises in the looks department as seemingly very little has changed over the years – this is still recognisably a Golf. However, for those unfamiliar with the look it is one of understated elegance and design with the detailing of the headlamps and tail lights in particular blending in beautifully. Closing the doors gives the reassuring thud of a well-made car. In fact, everything you touch gives the impression of being very solid and well-made…
Vauxhall Meriva
Feb 6th
There’s just something so pleasant and treat-like waiting in an airport with time to kill with nothing to do apart from having a leisurely coffee and eating a whole croissant without accusing eyes coveting your last few bites. The downside of course is that it always seems to involve early morning wakings (not having to deal with the kids is a bonus) and a destination that might at first sight appear rather undesirable.
Frankfurt, I’m reliably informed by my jet-setting husband is rather dull (and I’m sure the Frankfurtians Frankfurters? might say the same about you). But that was not the final destination of the trip – instead we went on to Vauxhall/Opel’s HQ in Russelsheim for the static launch of their versatile and innovative monocab, the Meriva…
Dating a Honda FR-V
Feb 6th
Cars are like relationships. Here’s your choice:
Fast and furious: Thrills that run the risk of breaking down pretty quickly, parts strewn along the road and perhaps a long spell in the garage afterwards. Or dull, dependable partners that don’t provide those heights of excitement but who’ll always get you there in the end. And they’ll keep on doing it year after year. Great.
But then there’s the clever bloke that nobody really appreciates when you first meet him at the party.
Quiet, understated and perhaps not the best-looking guy in the room – all too easy to ignore at first glance. But you get chatting and he turns out to be really quite funny, and that cleverness is very useful. You might leave the party with the handsome tyrant, but when you find out later (thoroughly exhausted) from a friend that your clever, interesting acquaintance has left the country for a job abroad you feel more than a pang of heartache. You wish you’d made more of your time together and make a resolution not to squander missed opportunities…
Vauxhall Corsa Ecoflex
Feb 6th
A change is often good, and certainly exchanging my husband John’s battered old Micra for my parent’s redundant Vauxhall Corsa a year ago was a very welcome one.
It had spent most of its life in the garage, had very low milage, was always spotlessly clean both inside and out and was serviced with alarming regularity. It came at a great time, just when John’s car, which he used every day, came to a standstill.
Now the poor thing has to cope with all weathers, its mileage has doubled within a year, it’s filthy outside and the inside is a health hazard, but worst of all I have to drive it. The cars of today are just such a joy to drive (with the odd exception), whereas this is just awkward by comparison.
Even my mum commented that it must be a shock having to drive it. I protested with rather too much vigour – she saw right through my white lie. I always feel as if I’m driving with my bum inches from the ground and while I’m fighting with gravity and increasing my sessions at the gym I’m only just winning…
Volkswagon Golf GTi
Feb 6th
Not sure what sort of boy could afford such a car (£23,015), but the Golf GTI must be the ultimate ‘boy-racer’. The term has derogatory undertones these days, but I was driving an all-new three-door Mk6 in white with black tartan trim and striking red stitching throughout, finished off with blacked-out rear windows – surely the definitive description of the breed? Very smart though, and all topped off with a leather steering wheel and gear knob. This must be every boy’s dream, especially when you step inside the classy cabin with seats that are so comfortable and supportive, and all the gadgets a lad could want?…