Lets start from where it all began!
I had the cash in the bank from the sale of my old studio flat that was not much bigger than the inside of a van! It was either going to be a deposit on a mortgage (which I discovered would only get me a flat just as small as the last one), the money would sit in the bank losing value...or I take a risk and get my dream van out of my system!. I couldn't quite envisage how it would fit into my life and with Albi now in tow but if I didn't give it a go and see I would never know. I knew it wouldn't lose its value but also knew it would be a money pit...but what else was I going to spend the money on?
I was browsing online for a van just to test the waters and kept seeing this one on marketplace. I was drawn to the chequered floor and clear structured internal fittings. I kept watch and overnight the price was reduced. As it was local this told me I should drop by and have a look.
Moon was honest about what it needed doing; his buddy was a better salesperson, a bit of good cop, bad cop going on! Having done the work on it with the previous owner he reassured me that structurally and engine wise it was sound (as sound as a 51yr bus could be). We were both on the same hymn sheet that I needed to be sure as a single female that it was as reiliable as it could be, any pimping up I could easily manage. I wasn't bothered by all the patches and dents on the bodywork, this gave it character and some skills for me to build on. If it was too sparkly and shiny I'd be too scared to drive it anywhere! The interior, whilst tried and dated, was set up so I could go away in it straight away.
I slept on it for a few days but I knew she was going to be mine. I still needed the obligatory affirmation from my parents but within a week the deal was done and the work needed doing by Moon before I took posession was agreed. The time I had to wait was helpful in getting other life 'To do' items ticked off before I immersed myself into giving Dorothy and new glow up! By giving time for Moon to get her through a non-mandatory MOT it helped to reassure me that she was arriving in the best condition she could be and that I had a reliable mechanic to always go back to ;-)
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