I started writing this column whilst having a Saturday night off. Glass of wine, German music, kids in bed and the wife visiting a friend. These evenings are rare. Time to reflect, time to / for myself.
What am I thinking these days? I am thinking a lot to be honest. There are a few things that I anticipate this year. All and foremost our move to a better life. I am getting quite excited thinking that I finally settle down. A bigger house. A better quality of life. All other factors probably stay the same but that is how it is. You never completely change just because you move or change one bit of your life. There are the same illusions you have that every year at New Year’s Eve you give up smoking. Most people never last. Change is within us and not (necessarily) location dependent.
Then we get our new (used) car on Tuesday. A Seat Alhambra. As you know my wife and I insist on rear facing car seats. The Alhambra was the only choice for a comfortable drive and space in the car, whilst keeping the car seats’ third leg on a solid ground. Most other cars (Sharan, S-Max, Galaxy, 2011+ Alhambra) have under floor storage boxes that don’t support the weight of the leg. Anyway, my wife will write an extensive report as a guest post. So any comments should be waiting until the full review is published. However, I think once the kids are out of rear facing car seats we get an XC90 Volvo again. We just loved that car too much.
This week I have been to Milan. I only went for the day. Despite no sleep the night before (thanks kids!) I had a good day. I really look forward travelling more regularly to Spain, Italy and potentially more countries in the future. This will be my job moving forward. Besides Colin loves ham at the moment, so both of those cities offer me the best “take away” for him 
The perks.
Other than that work is busy. I have found some time to catch up with half the industry about the acquisition. January was a lot busier than anticipated and I look forward to March. Why March? February looks like it will be even busier than January already, so March can only be better, right? Then again there are a few longer trips planned too. Lots of progress to be seen. I like that.
We had a fantastic weekend. We didn’t do much, but given the fact we weren’t house hunting and didn’t have any viewings for our place, we were busy but relaxed. We took some pictures, shopped for some wine and just chilled. Good bonding with Colin and Rohan. Wine: not having a constant stack of wine at home, buying them cheap when on offer, allows me to go and shop different wines. I got some excellent bargains on some French Fitou and Shiraz. So what am I complaining about?!
Guess that is all for this week folks.
Have a good one,
Volker
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#1 by Mitch Mitchell on January 29, 2012 - 18:34
Okay, I’ll be the one to ask; what’s a “rear facing” car seat? lol
#2 by Volker on January 29, 2012 - 21:02
No worries.
http://www.rearfacing.co.uk/
A car seat where the kids face to the back of the car. Usually until they are 5 years old (or certain height/weight). My wife will post a full article soon.
Much safer than “normal car seats”.
#3 by Mitch Mitchell on January 31, 2012 - 06:27
Wow, how wild is that? I have to admit I’ve never seen that before, and I’m not sure how well that would go over here, as parents like seeing their children by being able to look into the back area. But no one can deny the safety feature of it all.
By the way, did I ever tell you that your blog doesn’t inform me that you’ve responded to my comment? Good thing I remember here and there to come back to check on it.
#4 by Volker on January 31, 2012 - 07:59
Hmm, not sure why you don’t get informed about replies. No tick box? I thought there was.
Would love to see my kids too. So got myself two mirrors on the head support of the back seat. Problem solved.
Many people say it is unnatural to drive backwards but what do kids know about “forward facing being normal” at that age?
#5 by Mitch Mitchell on February 3, 2012 - 05:59
Nope, you have no tick box; might need to check your plugins.
#6 by Volker on February 3, 2012 - 10:32
this is now rectified…I hope