Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Cars, movies and an iconic Argentinian poet.

Yesterdays trip to the lawyer didn't fill me with optimism. Seems that German car makers have been cutting back on production due to parts shortages. BMW have wisely ( from their perspective )  decided that the delay in delivering our car is not down to production problems but rather to a 'safety ' issue. Cars can't be manufactured or sold until this is resolved. 'Safety' is of course force majeure and removes the manufacturers and the dealers liability. This is also why the garage think they can lower the trade in price. A thorough search on Google finally unearths this story :https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=2091629  The garage have known about this for ten weeks. After the disaster with the Volvo in France we had been super cautious when signing the purchase agreement. Angus is slightly miffed that 'prudence' failed to prevent problems emerging.

Some really bizarre colours in this mornings sunrise. Heavy rain is expected later in the day.


In town the filming of the movie continues. We ask a man in a day-glo jacket what the film is called. " I'm telt it's called Burgess and something but I dinnae ken any more about it " he informs us cheerfully. 


The day-glo jacketed mans job is to stop people moving the parking cones that are blocking off the residents parking spaces so the prop cars can park there. This, as you might imagine, is a thankless task. Some of the local residents are not amused.


There is filming in Quad ...


.... and filming  down by the castle. A slightly manic feel to the proceedings  may indicate the crew are trying to get as much 'in the can' as possible before the weather changes.

A row of faux stone lions are being painted and a group of young women in 70's period costume are traipsing backwards and forwards into a lecture hall. The director doesn't seem at all happy with their performance. It's repeated ad nauseum. .Finally, the director has a not so small melt down. He expresses his opinions 'vehemently'.  Such things are rarely heard in this most 'reserved' of towns.

A passing third year student stops to let us know that the movie isn't called Burgess and something  but is actually  'Borges and Me' which is based on this story :https://www.thedailybeast.com/that-time-i-chauffeured-jorge-luis-borges-around-scotland

Back at the Last Wee House before Denmark the Amazon guy delivers this.


Having just had some dental X-rays this was of interest :https://arstechnica.com/health/2024/10/do-you-really-need-those-routine-dental-x-rays-probably-not/





14 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

The film director's "not so small melt down" sounds like it would have been highly entertaining to watch (at a distance).

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
In August there was filming of a scene at the Gourock-Dunoon ferry terminal involving 1970s styling...and a car going into the Clyde... Hmmm. Coincidence? No shouting but some very stressed looking film crew. Entertainment is serious business. Sorry about the car trubs... YAM xx

jabblog said...

Quite a lot of filming takes place in our locality in Berkshire. The latest, in a nearby house, was for a Bollywood film, we're told.

rottrover said...

Well, good to know that when you finally take possession of the new car, it will have met the highest safety standards...Several months ago I purchased a 2003 BMW station wagon as a dog car (low to the ground, and to be honest, I've wanted it since my friend bought it new). What a solid, stable, ground hugging car. The dogs and I love it. I hope 21 years later you'll love yours as well.

Jake of Florida said...

What an amusing story...chauffering Borges around Scotland. A variation on Driving Miss Daisy?

The Life of Riley said...

Not sure when you signed up for your new car, but BMW have been aware of the issue since at least March 2024, as reported in the news here. Maybe your lawyer has cause for canceling the agreement if the garage didn't inform you of the issue when they sold you a product with known issues and no known fix time? timehttps://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bmw-multiple-new-zealand-cars-hit-with-recall-notice-over-braking-problems/K4TVT3X2BNAQ7PXH3DASPJRPJM/

Cash For Scrap Cars Adelaide said...

What a beautifully woven piece! The blend of classic cinema, automotive nostalgia, and literary reflection is something you do so well. The mention of the Argentinian poet added a layer of unexpected depth – quite rare in blog content today. It is fascinating how certain cars can evoke memories just as powerfully as poetry or film. Thanks for sharing this thoughtful journey through culture and time.

Ella Stevens said...
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Alec Johnson said...

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Adrians said...

What a delightful read! I really enjoyed the mix of personal stories, cultural references, and that unexpected nod to an Argentinian poet—such a unique combination. It’s always interesting how everyday moments, like spotting an old movie car or recalling a poem, can spark bigger thoughts. It actually reminded me of a recent experience I had while sorting out some old vehicles—thankfully, I found a smooth solution through Cash for Cars Gold Coast. Keep the posts coming, they’re a real pleasure to read!
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Jenny Paul said...

What a fascinating blend of cinema, literature, and cultural memory — I never expected a post about cars to lead me to the works of Borges and the soul of Buenos Aires. The way you weave the poet’s voice into the rumble of engines gives your writing a rare lyricism. When I think of the literal side of cars too — selling, recycling, letting go — it hits me how important it is to find a service that treats that end-of-life journey with respect. That’s why I often mention Cash for Cars Sunshine Coast — a reminder that even in saying goodbye, there can be dignity.
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Emily Logue said...

What an evocative post — I loved how you wove the imagery of cars into poetic insight, especially linking them to Argentina’s rich literary heritage. It’s fascinating how a vehicle can be more than just transport; it becomes part of a story, a memory, an identity. And when it’s time to move on, even with old cars, there are options like Cash for Unwanted Cars Brisbane that let you part ways without loss, turning something old into something useful rather than letting it sit forgotten.

Ella Stevens said...

What a wonderfully evocative post — I loved how you weave cars, cinema and poetry into a single thread of memory and meaning. It’s a reminder that even the vehicles we drive (or dream of) carry stories beyond mere mechanics. And when it’s time to let one go, sometimes the practical side quietly steps in — I recently came across a solution called Cash for Cars Ipswich, which felt almost like a fitting epilogue to this theme of journeys, endings and beginnings.

Crystal Coleman said...

I really enjoyed reading this — the way you weave stories with automotive imagery gives everything such emotional depth. It’s refreshing to see passion for both words and wheels in one place. On a practical note, for anyone wanting to move on from an old car in Australia, I recently discovered Cash for Cars Brisbane and it made the whole process worry-free. Keep writing!
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