[TonyGr]

Hi Guys,
I am just over the border in Scunthorpe and since the demise of BLS in Lincoln I am considering using Northern Alfa for servicing etc. Those of you in South Yorkshire seem to think they are good looking at various threads in this lounge. However the big draw back for me is Maltby. aranoid: It is too far to use public transport to get home and back again but, for the life of me, I cannot imagine how I can occupy the time between dropping the car off and collecting it. My best idea is a large book. :read::read::read::read: but where?
Can anyone in South Yorkshire give me some inspiration? What do those of you who have used NA done? It is likely to be most of the day since I want to combine the major service with the replacement of the belts, water pump, etc to avoid having to make two trips.

 

[Jean_Luc Picard]

When I go Gareth is kind enough to drop me off at a garden center just outside Tickhill in which he then goes back to do the work (usually drives my car down there and back). I'll take a small look around there and then go into the restaurant around the back and get a coffee and some toast or something.

Then I'll make my way to Tickhill and past the pond heading out to the country bit where it is just generally pleasant, I'll spend quite a bit of time out there just exploring. Just be warned it can get quite muddy sometimes depending on the weather or what it has been doing overnight.

Then I'll head back and get dinner in which I go into Roccos in Tickhill, which again passes more time. Afterwards I am left with a bit of time to kill, I usually get the call around then, in which Gareth then picks me up from wherever I am (always by the pond usually in Tickhill). Depending on how far you go and just in general it is around 4 hours what I have just described. It is pretty good really I have found, also tend to get carried away talking about Alfa's too!

Hope that sheds some light.

 

[TonyGr]

Thanks JLP. That gives me something to think about

 

[rossogtv]

Thanks JLP. That gives me something to think about

Tony,after the first time I dropped my car off i have caught the bus from Tickhill into Donny.(Get a Day rover for less than £4 its cheaper than a return ticket !) The journey itself kills some time and by the time I have had a 'mooch' round and something to eat I am about ready for the bus back.
Martin

 

[TonyGr]

Thanks Martin, Having a bus pass it wouldn't cost me anything. However Gareth has said he wants it from 8:00 to 5:30ish because it is a service plus belt change which makes it a slightly different matter.

 

[T. Spark]

Nothing in Maltby, as said best bet would be a day trip to Doncaster or even Sheffield (pitta for buses as IIRC there is one to Sheffield centre that might also go to Meadowhall)

I wasn't aware there was a Alfa Specialist in Maltby, so thats good news as not far from me at all!

 

[mrpbailey]

I also live near Scunthorpe and Gareth does all the work on my GTA, have used him for a few years now, and you quickly realise the hassle of getting there/back is worth it!
Depending in the size of job, I usually time it when the Mrs is off work and we'll nip to Meadowhall for the day or something.

 

[TonyGr]

I also live near Scunthorpe and Gareth does all the work on my GTA, have used him for a few years now, and you quickly realise the hassle of getting there/back is worth it!
Depending in the size of job, I usually time it when the Mrs is off work and we'll nip to Meadowhall for the day or something.

"nip to" infers you have a second car and your wife can collect you from Maltby. Unfortunately that is not an option in my case while I have a second car I don't have a spare driver. In case you think otherwise I do have a wife, she just isn't a driver.

I eventually went for the alternative of using Autolusso Penrith while we are in Keswick on holiday. Advantage is Dan will loan me a car for the day. This is, of course, why so many people continue with the larger garages both dealers and indies. I appreciate that for the one man business it is not practical but so often it can be the decision maker.

 

[mrpbailey]

"nip to" infers you have a second car and your wife can collect you from Maltby. Unfortunately that is not an option in my case while I have a second car I don't have a spare driver. In case you think otherwise I do have a wife, she just isn't a driver.

I eventually went for the alternative of using Autolusso Penrith while we are in Keswick on holiday. Advantage is Dan will loan me a car for the day. This is, of course, why so many people continue with the larger garages both dealers and indies. I appreciate that for the one man business it is not practical but so often it can be the decision maker.

Ah fair enough, helps to have a 2nd driver at times! Dan at Penrith is good too so won't be any issues there