Hi All, Lots of Changes to report.

[Kimbers]

Hi all, remember me?:wave:

So things have changed and kept me away for a while. As some know I have been prominent on another enthusiast site, however I have let everything else fall by the wayside over the last 6 months because of work, time and family pressures.

Firstly I decided to get out of the Motor "Sales" Industry, now being a Fleet Manager for a Rental Firm, buying and selling our 4000 vehicle fleet (I might have mentioned that before).

Then, one of the main victims was my beautiful Esprit S4 which was sold in October last year, however even my Poker playing and erm....socialising has disappeared. Yes I've turned into a very boring person! Until this week, when this turned up.....

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p259/Kimbers34/Newcar2.jpg

She's a 1 year old Exige S in Solar Yellow with Sport Pack, Black forged alloys, A/C, T/C and stage 2 Exhaust.

I'm hoping it gets me more mobile and out and about seeing friends and attending meets and track days. Since my 2 stays in Hospital last year I have been taking everything slowly and it has effected my....physique, lets say. I have shot up in weight and feel horrible.

MJK still has back issues (thanks all for the kind words in other threads) and may have to go back in to have yet more bone removed from his spine. In the mean time he's been kicking Politicians into touch over the whole "too large, too small incident".

THE evora is about to hit the roads (we've been seeing them for months here in Norfolk, doing their 100 and 200,000 mile tests and I know theres lots of posts on here about it (I will get round to reading them).

What else.......oh yes, I may be coming out to the US next year. We have finally decided to look at a few places to emigrate to, USA, Canada and Australia are all on our list to visit, to see if they tick all the boxes. For me it would have to be California/Arizona area :cowboy:, but the Mrs likes Montana and that sort of area. Will let you all know and if we come anywhere close would love to have a beer or 2!

Laters!

[Brian Skeoch]

Cool. great car.

Montana ? now , of all places to live in the states, why would your wife select Montana ?

[Autocross7]

Glad to see you back on the Buzz! Hope your pop gets that back thing sorted. Seems like once the back starts acting up it is hit and miss as to what can be done and how effective it might be. Everyone responds differently to be sure.

If you must go west I would seriously steer you guys to Idaho and not Montana. Certainly not Arizona with the Mexican boarder issues. Got a good friend in the Boarder Patrol it would greatly surprize you as to what is not on the news down there! CALI? OMG... having been to much of the Central american "3rd world"... and Cali... I'd take the third world. Sure Cali was was pretty in places, but I hated it there! Everything there that was pretty was prettier someplace else (like Idaho or Miami depending on the 'what'). Cali -Too many laws. Too many people. Monatana has its good points to be sure, but Idaho is the only place outside the South that I fell in love with. It is, quite simply, the prettiest non southern state! AND! if you get into the Blackfoot - Idaho Falls area, the cold is not toooo bad.

The new ride looks most fun! Climbing into and out of that thing will have you back in shape in no time! BTW... when you guys get to planning the "around the US" trip, you really should plan some time in Dixie! We'd be most happy to put you up for a bit.

Cameron

[Martin]

Tony, welcome back!
Great looking ride you have there. That will be fun on the track for sure.
Sorry to hear that your Dad is still having back problems, I know very well how excruciating that can be. But obviously he has proven that it can only slow him so much because he is keeping the good news coming in with his latest victory over the gov't. :)

So you are thinking about moving...I guess you want to see more sunshine? :D (Being Danish, I understand) Well I would say Montana is truly beautiful and if you like snow sports, then it's even better. Lots to choose from so best of luck to you there.
And I will reiterate Cameron's statement of some Southern hospitality, let us know when you make it over and we will be happy to accommodate.

[Esprit2]

Welcome back, Tony

Congratulations on picking up a great car. Too bad the S4 had to go away, but the Exige S will keep you entertained.

When you come to the USA, will you be spending some time, or just hopping directly to a couple of destination points?

Southern California is great car country, but check out the cost of housing there (have your nitro pills handy). If you're bride is thinking north country, perhaps Colorado would be a good compromise for the two of you. It's high country, yes it snows and has great skiing, but no it doesn't get bitter cold.

The Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington) is gorgeous, but the rainy season can get long... long periods of gray sky can be a downer for some folk.

I'm in Minnesota and it gets pretty wintery here. Regardless of how you feel about winter and snow sports, it's frustrating for car guys since our toy cars are in storage 5+ months out of he year. At the momnet, we're still about another month from the start of the driving season. The Colorado guys miss a day due to weather here and there, but they're driving year around.

Canada? There's some beautiful country up there, but remember that for most of Canada, northern USA is a southern exposure. Toronto is an exception... it's actually further south than Minneapolis. Montreal is beautiful. Vancouver... yes, check out Vancouver.

Keep us up to date on MJK's progress, and wish him well.

Regards,
Tim Engel

[eurosport]

Hi Tony,
With the Exige, looks like you'll have to wade back in on LotusTalk again and discuss the pros and cons of stripes and wings! :D

Although I live in Oklahoma where I and the missus are entrenched in our jobs, if I had to pick a place in the States it might be Denver, CO: lots of activities in all seasons and pretty cosmopolitan. Montana has an 8 month winter :yes: and Arizona gets beastly hot in the summer. :sweatdrop:

All the best to your dad, hope he can get his back sorted, have a friend who's had about 3 surgeries and finally getting some relief :crying:. At least with the Evora coming out there'll be a Lotus he can (maybe) painlessly get in and out of. :001_unsure:

Cheers!

[Autocross7]

Tim.. I have no idea how you live there??? It was cold when I was there last time for a visit... and it was "spring"! :ohmy:


Cameron

[Esprit2]

Tim.. I have no idea how you live there??? It was cold when I was there last time for a visit... and it was "spring"!
Cameron,

It does get cold here, but you get used to it. I would miss not having Winter, it's the duration that gets to be a bit much.

I interviewed for a job in Phoenix way back when. I was there for 4 days in October and it was 105 to 114 F each day. At some point I made some comment about the heat, and the reply was, "Oh, well you should be here during the warm season".

I didn't get an offer out of that visit, but if I had, I don't think I could have accepted it. I can't do heat.

Colorado I'd do in a heartbeat, if it wasn't for the family and friends that keep me here.

Later,
Tim

[Kylie]

Hi Tony, lovely toy and really glad your back into it again.

Dont forget a trip over here too if your doing a tour.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/NZ%20scenery/492275035_554c42fc1e_o.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/NZ%20scenery/491785054_b110db2b8a_o.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/NZ%20scenery/MilfordSoundWestside.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/Lotus%2060th%20Tour/CentralNorthIsland.jpg

Apart from a few sheep hanging about I think you and Wendy would find enough space for her to paint amazing artworks and you to join the local Lotus nutters for a hoon :)
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k181/iotus/NZ%20scenery/SheeponroadNZ.jpg

[Martin]

Kylie, there you go again showing pictures that make us all sick.....with jealousy. It was good of you to put in the picture of the sheep though, because if you hadn't we know Wayne would have! :D

[clockwork]

If she doesn`t stop with the pictures I shall be forced into posting pictures of holes,there were 10,000 in Blackburn ,Lancashire,Tony think of what you would be missing it`s what makes low profile tyres so much more "interesting".Clockwork :)

[Kylie]

:lol: Yes had to get there before Wayne did. The cars infront of this mountain is where I am heading to this afternoon. Theres a group of us doing a 18km mountain trek through those alps. I am taking the Esprit down too. :steeringwheel: Best I post somewhere else and not hijack Kimbers thread ;)