Went to see the new AMG CLA in Stuttgart last week. Parked at Goodwood this morning and realised it was just *there*. Very cool

I love the verrrry slight hint of blue in this paint. Even when desperately dirty. Good to get it out for a run too!

Growing increasingly frustrated trying to find my brother a decent first car for less than £3k. He's dead set on a Swift Sport but everything whiffs a bit. This looks incredibly solid, but it's at a dealer with very little info, and runs out of MOT next month. Urgh.

Most enjoyable day at the BMM for its event celebrating the launch of Forza Horizon 6. Fun opportunity to get the camera out, better reminder I need a longer lens!

New Skoda Epiq. Starts from £24,950, making it cheaper than the petrol-powered Kamiq it’s meant to sit alongside (and did physically, here). But £27k for the one you’ll want with the bigger battery and 270-odd miles of range. Wouldn’t be shocked to see these everywhere before long.

Finally finished editing my Retro Rides photos. Really happy with how much better I've got with a camera in the year I've had one, but still much to be learned!

FINALLY made it to Retro Rides. Now understand the hype. Best show I've been to in a long time!

The Twingo added to GT7 is surprisingly good fun

The new series of The Boys has a StreetKa cameo. That is all

Some interesting Rovers at Food and Fuel

I have had worse days at the office

Thinking about whetting my appetite for modding the MX-5 with a new gearknob (about the limit of what can be done while it's on finance). Like these ones from BuiltbyBasil (pic lifted from their Insta) but wondering if this combo would work with an all-black interior. Hmm...

First properly sunny weekend of the year meant finally giving the MX5 a good run (to Blenheim Palace)! I utterly adore this car ❤️

First MOT (in my ownership) done! Amazed it’s already been a year since I got it. Flew through, as you’d hope.

I’ve had a crack at presenting. It’s tricky, and I’ve much to learn, but I’m proud of this as a first effort. Very cool car too – really excited to see how Peugeot develops steer-by-wire going forward. youtu.be/alyClDdIf7Q?...

Spotted at the Museum of Brands in Notting Hill. Is there any car more worthy as a Smith and Sniff-mobile than a Brut Capri, @sniffpetrol.com?

Dropped off for a service and new discs/pads all round. Looking forward to having it back in full fitness

Haven’t driven the MX-5 in about six weeks, for reasons. Just went to check it’d start ahead of getting it serviced tomorrow, and it fired up right away without any issues. Love it!

First review of the year! Shame it's an underwhelming one www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/g...

Been kicking about in this Alpine A290 today. Really rather like it – darty enough to make some fun out of running around London. Shame it’s so inefficient given the small battery. Feels like the sort of thing that could be *really* good with some more finessing

It's been a long (LONG) time since I posted on here, but I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. So, a brief professional update, for the nobody who cares: I've been dipping my toes into reviewing new stuff, alongside all the news and such I normally do.

I love this car.

I’ve now had my MX-5 for a couple of weeks. Can quite comfortably say I’m over the moon with it. Does everything well: inner London commutes, motorways, country lanes, tight car parks… it goes on. Absolutely addicted to the noise it makes around 3k revs. Love it.

Completely forgot to post on here – my new wheels!! It is by far the silliest purchase I’ve ever made, but I’m already head over heels for it. Looks especially good with gratuitous Instagram filters 😅

Panda goes off to its new home in a couple of hours. I’ll miss its joyful (and sometimes temperamental) character, but it’s time to call it quits. I at least get the excitement of a new car tomorrow!

The Panda’s been at a specialist for an inspection. Report is, err, not good. Basically the whole underside is rotten (subframes, rear axle, almost the full exhaust) and there are various other fun issues, like the total absence of bump stops. I sense a mahoosive bill coming

Sat on some more bikes. Quite like this Enfield Himalayan 450 – looks great and handily tall, but still low enough for a shortarse like me. Seems quite cheap too, at £5k new

A tiny selection of Retromobile highlights

Thinking about moving on from the Panda this year. Thinking something more refined on a long motorway run but still a sensible size, and plenty quick for the odd track day. Budget (most likely to be) around £8k. These Meganes have caught my eye, but am I missing anything obvious?

An incredibly cheap (for these...) Megane R26 for sale temptingly close to me. Always liked this shape Megane and it'd be nice to have something a bit more refined for long runs. Hmm.

Scoop! www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new...

Having very nearly sold the Panda this weekend, its starter motor has decided to return to working completely normally. Perhaps it knows?

Didn’t think I’d even consider getting rid of the Panda any time soon, but this very nice 182 has come up for sale in budget, and they’ll take the Panda in part ex (solving many, many logistical issues). I’ve already asked about a deposit!

Not much of a surprise, but hey ho. Can't wait to have a go in one: www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new...

Really proud to have been trusted with producing our annual New Cars feature this year. If you see it out in the wild, why not have a look?

Trying to figure out how I can buy something roadster-flavoured without getting rid of the Panda. Still really, really want an MX-5

Still very desperately want a motorbike but, given it’ll be about £10,000 to get my licence, gear and a bike, I’m erring on to shelving those plans. Maybe it’s time to revisit my original plan of a light resto on the Panda (because I’m a fool)

The motorcycle industry wonders why it’s on its arse. Might I suggest that insurance quotes of £7000 for a new rider are the reason why? (Yes, I’m in London, yes, theft and accident rates, but crikey. Now having to rethink my want for a bike.)

My little tribute to one of my favourite cars has finally gone live over on the Autocar site. I wonder if my 2yo nephew’ll think the same about his mum’s Focus, one day? www.autocar.co.uk/opinion/new-...

I’ve booked my bike theory test! Very exciting. Can’t wait to finally get on two wheels and see how different it really is.

Cracking day out at Motorcycle Live trying some bikes on for size. Heart says the Kawasaki, head says a much cheaper Honda. Time to book my CBT, I think

Every week I wonder what I’d buy if I were to move on from my Panda, then realise there hasn’t been much like it since. Maybe a VW Up GTI, but one of those is three times what I paid for this nugget. Hmm…