July Challenge - V - Vauxhall

At one time the names of Luton and Vauxhall were inextricably linked, sadly no longer true. When I was in school probably 50% of my friends parents worked at Vauxhall, fleets of buses were parked outside the factory gates at shift change times having brought one lot of workers in and waiting to take another lot home.

Now there is still a presence in the town (offices and the production line for the Vivaro van), but nothing like it was in the past.

I currently drive a Vauxhall Corsa (it's old, and getting battered). Today it was in for a service - it's 212,000 mile service. The engine uses so little oil it doesn't need topping up between services, the gearbox is beginning to get a little cranky at times, but the car will probably keep going for quite a while longer if no-one hits it and writes it off. No significant problems found during the service (just wear and tear bits), so a cheap car to run, and maintain.

Jeremy Clarkson has very little of any good to say about Vauxhalls, but my experience does not bear out his opinions. But then, he does write for the Sun, not a paper that you turn to for accurate independent reporting.

Today's blip is of the griffin badge on my Corsa, the griffin being the symbol of Vauxhall. The griffin was a mythical creature, half lion, half eagle and as such was considered the king of all creatures.

Following on from yesterdays blip, I had a successful journey in this morning, both trains being on time, coming home was different, the line to Gunnersbury (London Overground) was suspended, so I had to travel via Zone 1 (30 minutes longer) to get to my train at West Hampstead (which was also late). So far the score for 100% on time journeys - 16.67%.