No, not the vegetable juice, a car. My new car to be specific which is a black super sexy Volvo CX90 V8. It is super fast, super safe with a sun-roof, leather interior and little electric buttons that move the seat until it is perfect for you.

This morning as I drove to work from belly dancing Robert Palmer’s Addicted to Love came on the radio. What a great song. I don’t think I’ve heard it for about five years. Funnily enough I still know all the words. This was closely followed by Blondie’s The Tide is High. Does it get any better?

I wonder whether it is a manifestation of my chameleon nature that I have become totally car obsessed since we moved here. Normally I would have said unless it’s a Porsche or a Ferrari I don’t care what it is. I have changed my mind. The difference between driving this car and the rental Toyota Camry we had is a little bit like the difference between camping and sleeping in your own bed. Huge.

Talking of sleeping, I have had two weeks of interrupted nights. I may as well be breast-feeding a new born baby. Every night I am woken at least three times by Rupert rolling in after drinks at the “press club” (a hotel bar), the cat being attacked by the cat downstairs, Leo wandering into my room, the call to prayer etc etc.

Maybe I should sleep in the car, it’s certainly comfortable enough. And I could buy the Robert Palmer CD.

Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2009