R U Serious ?
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Weymouth,
United Kingdom
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Work doesn't half get in the way of planning things. I've been flat out at work over both of the last two weekends and working overtime during the weeks, so little progress made recently.
A colleague was chatting about the idea and really fancied coming along. A text to his new wife along the lines of "CAN I GO TO MONGOLIA WITH SPOOKY BY BUS?" merely produced a reply of "R U SERIOUS?" and no further replies after that. I'll be suprised if he can sell the idea to her.
The owner of the bus asked me last week if I had been over to look at it. I was at work at the time, so didn't really get a chance to discuss the matter with him. I told him I needed a week or so to speak to the others. He seemed willing to negotiate on the price though, which is good. "Make me an offer...", he has said.
Now, this is my problem. He says it can do 55 mph, others seem to think 30 mph. The radiator isn't fitted so I can't road test it. If I get him to fit the radiator so we can road test it, I'm not sure anyone will be insured to drive it to test it. I think I'll have to ask him to do it before I commit.
My second real concern is the huge variety of 'advice' or opinions I'm getting from various sources. I'm still unclear about the driving licence issue. The guy I need to speak to in the traffic prosecutions dept at Dorset Police is on leave. I've had differing information from just about everyone I've spoken to. I can't find any reference to a weight limit of 7.5 tonnes in the legislation. Some people have mentioned tachographs being needed and also that a 'carnet de passage' or bond, which may cost several thousand pounds, which you would get back when you remove the vehicle from whichever country you are taking it to, will be required. These are all major sticking points that I need to resolve, probably before I get involved in bus purchases.
I've been trying to contact the guy who was selling a double decker on Ebay a few months back. He was stating that he had been driving it on a D1 category licence as it had only a few seats and had been checked out by police. He also stated he had insurance for about £300 per annum. My cheapest quote so far was about 5 times that. Alas, he is apparently touring around Bulgaria by camper van. "MOOSHIE, GET IN TOUCH !"
My trouble is, most possible participants are saying they are quite keen, but don't seem to want to part with any money or commit until it's looking likely to occur, ie when I've got a bus. It's a Chicken and Egg situation.
Still need to make sure I can get the time off work too. I've put in the request.
So much up in the air at the moment and with lots of work coming up, a baby due in 2 weeks, a rugby tournament in October to help organise, etc, etc. I could do with a holiday.
