Tha Original i30 Owners Club

GENERAL STUFF => GENERAL DISCUSSIONS => Random Chit Chat => Topic started by: AlanHo on February 11, 2012, 19:31:18

Title: Growing Old Disgracefully
Post by: AlanHo on February 11, 2012, 19:31:18

I act as an unofficial carer for an old friend - 90 years old in 2 weeks time - who is registered blind and has mobility problems. He lost his wife a month ago who spent the last 6 years in an Alzheimers care home and I have been busy helping to sort out their affairs and a calamity of a Will.

However - I digress. He lives in a sheltered apartment block for elderly residents - you have to be retired to be able to buy one and few current residents are under 70 years old. I visited my friend today and saw a vehicle in the car park that caught my eye. The old chap that owned it had just returned from a shopping trip and I engaged him in conversation because I was more than surprised to see an old fellow appear from the car - I was expecting a young tearaway.

He told me that he lost his wife who he nursed through a long illness (after 55 years of marriage) a few months ago. He had realised that time was not on his side and he was going to enjoy what time was left to him - so he had sold his Mercedes car and bought this....

 http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/67686/carver_one.html (http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/67686/carver_one.html)

I don't know how old he was - at a guess nearer to 80 than 75 - but I was impressed with his vision and desire to make the most of his remaining days.  It's a pity they don't make a more roomy 2 seater with space for more luggage - or I might just be tempted.

Title: Re: Growing Old Disgracefully
Post by: Dazzler on February 11, 2012, 20:28:46

Hi Alan .. Quite a few similarities in that story to my Dad's situation..  :eek:  He is 90 in July and lost his 2nd wife who had Alzhimers  a year or two ago.. He is still quite sprightly (for his age) and also lives independently in a unit (at a RAAF retirement village)

He bought a 2006? Jaguar XK8 a year or two ago .. I got quite a surprise when I saw what that other chap had bought though ...  :Shocked:

Title: Re: Growing Old Disgracefully
Post by: Shambles on February 11, 2012, 20:31:41

I remember the Carver when it made the press years back. Sheer brilliance.. Thrills without the spills :)

Title: Re: Growing Old Disgracefully
Post by: rustynutz on February 11, 2012, 23:44:43

Good on the old bugger!  :goodjob2:

One would assume he was a motorcyclist at some point in his life....   :happydance:

Title: Re: Growing Old Disgracefully
Post by: Ugly Mongrel on February 12, 2012, 01:16:03

Nice post, Alan. Good on the old bloke. I'm jealous!!

Title: Re: Growing Old Disgracefully
Post by: eye30 on February 12, 2012, 13:14:48

Reminds me of an updated Bubble car of the 60's

http://www.oobject.com/category/bubble-cars/ (http://www.oobject.com/category/bubble-cars/)