Honda Odyssey

We have a new car. Finally. After moaning for a long time about our luscious top of the range, expensive to maintain 1999 Red Ford Mondeo - we have a 1996 Silver Honda Odyssey.

Eden did not respond positively at all when we told him a few days ago that we would be getting a new car. He loves the 'red car'. But he has now gotten used to the idea and joined in the excitement of exploring it on Thursday night when Duncan brought it home. It came up on the train and Ferry by itself - all the way from Christchurch (where cars seem to be cheapest). We are the first NZ owners and It's previous Japanese family have looked after it very well.

And what will I miss about the red car? The sound and feel of the V6 motor and the 6 slot CD player. The leather seats are pretty great with kids too. The Honda has a funny humming sound - I try to tell myself it is the sound of efficiency. It also feels clunky. Nevermind. Although it is old by some people's standards - it is well engineered right up there with Toyota and hopefully will give us many miles of cheap motoring plus some extra seats when Grandparents come to visit. We could even squeeze the Chernishov family in until Caleb graduates to a bolted in car seat!

The next job is to sell the Mondeo. A task we are not yet approaching with enthusiasm or urgency - especially the cleaning of it - lucky it is awful weather this weekend! But it is blocking up the car pad so we are sure to get onto it soon.