Sunday Oct 13
Once again my working week begins on a Sunday as I make my way to Mondello Park for the end of season 'Fun Races'. As non-championship rounds at the end of a long season these events can usually throw up a few surprises, both in the results and the entry list. Ever see a Toyota Corolla from the mid-nineties race against a Honda-powered Lotus Elise?
As the schedule is not as packed as a normal race weekend my Autosport reports are finished at a remarkably reasonable hour - just in time for Love/Hate in fact!
Monday Oct 14
Monday is car change day in the world of automotive journalism, which means it is time to swap the BMW Z4 I've been driving for a week for a Volvo V60. Not before one final roof-down blast along the M50 with Dave Humphreys for company. Shame he spends most of the trip giving out about his hair being messed up...
The car I am testing this week is the Volvo V60 D2 Geartronic in silver; images of Nicholas Cage's beige Volvo from 'The Rock' instantly spring to mind but it is actually quite an impressive machine. I shall not go to in depth at the moment but I did have reason to ask the Volvo PR guy what black magic was employed to make an eco-special sound so fruity.
The rest of the day is spent chasing the other three members of CompleteCar.ie for their weekly reviews and sorting out whatever news is floating about.
Tuesday Oct 15
Neil, Dave and I decamp to Palmerstown House for the beginning of the Opel Insignia launch. Shane is absent as protocol dictates that all four of us can only be in one place at the same time in case of emergencies (doesn't really - he drove the car at the international launch, but it is a running joke between the four of us).
With Dave and Neil in one car I set off with Darragh O'Tuama for our final destination of the Cliff House Hotel in Waterford for some five-star luxury and Michelin star food. Unfortunately I get to enjoy neither as a phone call to tell me my wife has been rushed to hospital necessitates a hasty check out and a hastier blast back to Kildare.
Wednesday Oct 16
Just as the phone call arrived yesterday I was sitting down to write up my review of the Insignia, but as I am out of the loop I send a mail to the rest of the team to see who can fill in for me. Thankfully Neil steps into the breach and with pictures I shot at Mahon Falls in Waterford the review goes live.
News is also farmed out for the day (the joys of smartphones and always being able to access news - even from hospital) and when I get home it's time to wrap up some work for the Sunday Times before bed.
Thursday Oct 17
Ok so I didn't get the stuff wrapped up last night - too tired and distracted - but I do today, which gives me time to begin piecing together the next issue of Car Adviser. A list of cars are drawn up, emails sent to different manufacturers to see if some of them are free and some ideas for spreads floated around.
Friday Oct 18
A complete write off from a work perspective for me as I spend all day in hospital, but thankfully the CompleteCar.ie team pulls together and we manage to get news of Alfa's 4C Ring record live along with the Lamborghini Veneno and the long list for the Continental Irish Car of the Year.
Having cracked the bull whip on Shane, Neil and Dave in relation to their weekly reviews it is my one that is left outstanding... Eh about that...