What can I say - the weather has been good and the back roads just keep going and going (kinda like the Energizer bunny). But, after a month of looking for any plausible excuse to go for a drive, I am almost ready to settle down to everyday life again. I still find it hard to believe something as simple as a MINI can make driving so much fun again!

 

NFRs seem to be more popular in North America than in Europe ! I've had Betty Boop for almost one year now - and I've never seen another NFR in Switzerland, apart from a clubby at my dealer's. In our club, we are only two members with NFR's.

 

I can't believe it! Today I saw a Nightfire Red MINI convertible (black top, as I suspect is always the case). This one had California plates too.

 

I know of 2 other NFR Coops in my city - and we're a long way from anywhere - so it surprises me to see other ones. There are a few NFR Clubbies around too. I still think our color is quite rare.

 

It's been such a long time since the NFRs have spoken! Are we all out xmas shopping? How is everyone? Let's account for all our NFR bro's & sis's & families!

 

Twiggy is doing just fine. I sure am glad I ordered the heated seats - temperatures have been dropping below 10 degrees at night (and only getting into the upper 20's during the day) since last Saturday. Brrrr!!!

Before you start, DBman, I know that's "tropical-like" weather for people living in the northern reaches of Canada (or, for that matter, probably for Betty Boop in Switzerland too). But, around here, we rarely drop below 25 degrees. The last time it was this cold was in 1972. We should have snow tomorrow night - another first for Twiggy.

I gave Twiggy a bath just before this long cold and dry spell hit, so she looks nice driving down the boulevards!

I hope you all have a nice Christmas.

 

I heard the "ding" this morning driving to work!! First time in Malcolm. All is well out West. Trying to figure out what to get Malcolm for Christmas this year. His wish list is pretty long! Best to all of you NFRs!!

 

Um - yeah - it's -35C with the something called the "windchill factor" this morning! I'm surprised Bubbles actually wants to move on a morning like this!

 

DBman, I have to wonder WHY on earth does someone choose to live in the arctic???

 

Because your US Government won't give us those nice little Green Cards! Free Trade - yah right!

 

Betty Boop's been doing fine. She recently put on her winter boots (winter tyres )
Her last trip (apart from the daily work) was to the Alsace region (nearby France), to meet fellow MINIs and MINI owners. It's been quite cold here, too....

 

Betty - What's the temp like in your part of the world?

 

Happy New Year NFRs! See you in 2010! Anyone thinking about any MINI events for next year? Any chance of a NFR MINI meet?

 

It was with a heavy heart when I returned my 2008 NFR MINI to the dealership. My lease was up and this vehicle gave me 34K of trouble-free motoring and was still on its original set of tires. The lease was over and I enjoyed every minute of it in the best color MINI ever put on a Hardtop. The next owner will be very happy with this pampered piece of automotive greatness. I'll miss you, Chucky and your dried blood, Dr. Pepper hue. Motor on, you magnificent bastard...you opened up a whole new world of driving for me.

I suppose my wife always lusted after my MINI but simply was unable to drive a stick. So, I picked her up a 2010 Laser Blue S hardtop with an auto as a birthday present. She loves it and has named her Bonnie. The Bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas and it just seems to fit. It's a pretty car and quite zippy with the sport button engaged. I probably won't get to drive her much but the smiling wife makes it worth it. Adios.

 

First Mini,

I'm so sorry to read your story but was equally touched by memorial to such a fine friend. While you leave us with a heavy heart, your sacrifice so a loved one can also enjoy the world of MINI is admirable.

Long live Chucky!

 

Time marches on - so sad for some of us!

 

I think the jet stream is all messed up. We west-coasters are seeing all kinds of strange weather patterns. The rain that Western Washington and Oregon usually get has all been going to California and Arizona. Our temperatures are averaging ten degrees above normal, and I just saw on TV that our coldest night in January has been 36 degrees (F)... and we have had several days above 60. Unheard of! But, I guess that is why DBman (and CarJoy) are seeing the unusual weather.

Meanwhile, Twiggy is still giving me a lot of smiles as we explore the Pacific Northwest together. Hang in there folks, spring is on the way and we will all soon be out enjoying the backroads.

 

Bubbles has his winter boots on - this year, we were very warm for a few weeks, all that snow melted into ice, and now we're definitely having fun! All our roads are solid ice and it's soooo easy to do a 4 wheel skid around the corners! YEAH!

But - still, can hardly wait for spring again!!

 

So, do you have studs on all four wheels? Or do you just let 'er rip?

 

The only stud on my car is me Ray!

No studs - they don't work so well on bare pavement, only on ice. Here, it's pretty mixed, so I find that I can adjust my driving a lot better without them!

 

Hi everybody ! I'm a bit late to wish you a happy New Year but anyway! Hope you're enjoying the winter.

Here in Europe we've had a second very cold winter, tons and tons of snow, too ! Driving around with Betty Boop is sometimes very fun, since we're running out of salt to keep the snow out of the roads, many small roads here are really iccccyyyyyyyy !!!!

Take care and drive safe.

edit: sorry Dennis, didn't see your question.... temperature has been around -10°C (14°F) at night and 0°C (32°F) at daytime in my area... but this changes quite often !

 

Hey there NFRs.....long time no talk!

Q: Are there any NFRs out there interested or going to MINI Takes the States? I'm trying to get a Canadian contingency going....we'll see. Maybe the NFR Group could get something going?

 

Hey DBman - looks like you and Bubbles made it thru the long cold winter. Twiggy is still learning tricks and is not yet ready to settle down to a daily life of a trip to the grocery store.

The MINI Takes the States sounds like fun. Unfortunately, I will be leaving for six weeks in England and Scotland about that time. I hope to be able to vist the MINI factory at Oxford while we are there.

 

Very Cool Ray - I just got back from UK a week ago - saw Peter Gabriel in London - I always love it there. And, defnitely stop in Oxford at the plant - I never did, but wish I did!

 

Hey all. I think I might try to do MTTS this year. I'm looking at Denver in August. By then I'll be ready for cool country and to escape the gates of hell here in Arizona!