Since we are expecting a new family member our current conveyance — a Honda Odyssey — will not be sufficient to fit us all in. So rather than try and find an 8 seater vehicle (seemingly somewhat rare) we thought we’d go the whole hog and have bought an older 10-seater, and as the Americans say, “full-size” van. And when an American says “full size” you know they mean it. The idea was that though we all fit into an 8 seater, there would then be no room for a friend or grandparent or two. And a 10 was just as easy to find as an 8.

This van probably won’t get used that much, even though it is the “economical” model at 17mpg (13.8l/100km) — probably just when we need to go somewhere as a family. There are a number of things to fix on it but it’s currently driveable and I do have a few months to get them done before we really need it. Elijah has already given his numerous (and expensive) ideas on how we can best pimp it out.