Morning Dave,

I used to go to Miles D many years ago with the 242 GLT but I found him to be quite expensive. Ditto Sussex automotive [now gone]. I ended up taking the car to a local general mechanic for service when needed and service there was good and price reasonable.

I took the Jaguar to Klaus in Qualicum Beach and they repaired the transmission shifter mechanism which had begun to stick in Park. They gave me a pretty good rundown on what the problem was and their price was reasonable given the intricacy of the job. I was considering them for the Volvo job but maybe I will see what Miles D has to say.

Right now I can barely use my right hand because of a gout attack that has lasted for over a month now and for which I see no end. So the cheap but bad mechanic is out of the question for a while.

I will talk to Miles D next week. Have to do something to get the old bus mobile again. I will also go to Klaus. And I would like to get the Audi in from the rain of fir tree needles that is a regular occurrence on my property every windy day!

My poor old 244 endured eight years under a forest of fir trees and was covered in drops of pitch and needles both of which I have cleaned off over the last month or so. Paint is forever marked on that car I am sorry to say but it is still a pretty good looking car and the body is generally rust free.

I am putting all four cars up for sale in June and I will let the fates decide what cars I will be left with for the remainder of the year.

But there will always be a Volvo in my future.

Bob