Franbern, I feel progress, mountain goat baby steps, onward and upward and mosaics, it is definitely your turn for some good luck to come your way.
I also loved my landrover defender, once pulled a horse trailer with 2 big weighty horses up a very steep narrow country lane and met a great big full size fire engine coming down. That was one of the worst moments ever, what a test, I had to pull right into a hedge and stop with my eyes fixed forward while the fire engine inched past, than I had to take off from a standing start on mud and twigs almost in a ditch, with a very heavy weight behind, a short wheel base defender and it did it, it took the weight. I was so proud to have owned a defender, loved being high. I have a 4 x 4 now, a yeti because we were suddenly snowed in for 6 weeks, my last village and naturally we have had very little snow since we bought her and she also eats petrol. I am going to get a new car this year, when the new skoda comes out but not 4 x 4
I haven`t had street lights for many years, last village, not a single light and none here either. I used to pay £180 a month single occupant council tax, for my bin collection. I am going to try and appear very brave here when I come back from any evening groups I might join. Head up. chest out and fast positive steps, with key in hand. I actually live on a building site right now and it is muddy and pitch black, I feel safe inside the house but am sure I will be nervy coming through the site