Yvonne Fleece: Meet Veronica

Veronica

Once upon a time on a small farm near Billingshurst…

When Nanny’s tricycle’s battery died and a new one was £600, she decided she would go back to a bicycle (electric of course) and because there were three dogs in the family now, a dog trailer with the bicycle was clearly needed.

The dog trailer came first, from eBay. Nanny had to organise a courier and after a number of false starts it arrived, beautifully wrapped up. After 15 minutes, when all the packing tape was removed, it took another 30 to figure out how to assemble it. Nanny could see it would be great.

Next came the bicycle itself, a lovely Raleigh Forge, for which Nanny had to organise another courier. This time it was more complex with many e-mails exchanged between her and the seller who was thankfully a very obliging man because it including dismantling the bike and putting it in a box. It duly arrived and Nanny and Grandad unpacked it. To their horror they we unable to reassemble it. It would be a job for the expert Dave the travelling bike man. He wasn’t available until the next week. So they had to wait, and so did the trailer.

Meanwhile Grandad said he’d like a bike too. So Nanny dutifully did the eBay thing again, and due to bidding on two items at the same time (so she wouldn’t miss out) she ended up with two!

Dave came and checked all three bikes out and so Nanny was set. She tried the Raleigh, fell over and grazed her arm. She tried the other two but she couldn’t get her legs right. Dave changed the seat on the Raleigh and Nanny tried it again. She thought she’d got it right, lost her balance and fell off again, a bruised thigh and dignity this time.

Nanny gave up the idea of a bike. The trailer

awaited. After a few days of coming to her senses, she realised a mobility scooter was the way to go. On to eBay again, she found one which wasn’t too expensive in Southampton. Obviously too large to courier, they had to go and get it. That was another adventure, featuring Grandad grumbling big time. Nanny tried it a few times at home without falling off and pronounced it a success. They managed to get it on the trailer and down to the caravan at Selsey. After a few brief forays up and down the road, she put it on charge. But, sad to say, the batteries had died. She was told to try a local chappy, named Brian, who arrived on site within the hour. He looked at it and whisked it away for a few hours. When he came All aboard the canine caddy, aka Veronica! back, the mobility scooter (now renamed Veronica) was like new with a number of small repairs made and new batteries fitted. Nanny began to really like Veronica. It was time to try the dogs out with her. With Poppy in the basket, Magnus in a bag at the back and Heidi in front of Nanny, they liked Veronica too. The next time they went down to Selsey, they brought the dog trailer with them and Brian, after several visits, managed to modify Veronica’s bumper bar to attach the trailer. With both Heidi and Magnus in the trailer and little Poppy in the front basket they set off. It was a great success! Two of the adventures were on the back roads and now Veronica is covered in dust. Veronica was so handy and was certainly faster than walking and safer than the tricycle and bicycles. Nanny was so pleased she swallowed her pride. Veronica is now accepted as a fully fledged member of the gang on that small farm near Billingshurst. Yvonne Fleece

I clean hobs and extractors too

DO YOU NEED YOUR OVEN CLEANED?

Billingshurst based

Oven Cleaning Direct

clean ovens – it’s what we do! Call Kevin: 07769 675662

with any questions or to arrange a visit Email: kevatocdhorsham@hotmail.com or visit my Facebook page

I can make your oven or barbecue like new again!

Oven Cleaning Direct – Horsham

ALL ASPECTS OF PLUMBING, HEATING AND GENERAL BUILDING

Oil Boiler Installations Servicing etc Air source heat pumps Unvented systems Underfloor heating Bathrooms & Kitchens

REGISTERED

Tel: 07742 716698 & 01403 372832 Web: jcplumbingheatingservices.com

T: 01403 780 823 M: 07825 285916 E: gbglazing@hotmail.com

GB Glazing Ltd

Quality UPVC windows & doors | Aluminium windows & bi-fold doors | Composite doors | Glass splashbacks Single glazing misted/broken double glazed units Handles & hinges | Cat flaps | All types of remedial work Your local traditional Father & Son team