Hi,

I am a new member from South Shields.

This is my story. I used to work for Unipres in Washington which supplies parts to the nearby Nissan. NM(UK) has a two week shutdown in the summer and two weeks in Christmas. I returned from the Christmas 2017 Shutdown to a gruelling Day Shift.

We had a 3 rota system. Day Shift 7-2 (approx) Monday to Friday and Saturday and Sunday overtime (6-2). Back Shift then began the next week from Monday to Friday (2-11). I only had the Saturday off then it was Night Shift from Sunday Night approx. 9-7 on Monday and every night from 11-7 till Friday morning. In the three weeks only one full weekend off and one Saturday (the one before the Night Shift). I returned on the Wednesday and had to work the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

I support Sunderland AFC. On the Saturday afternoon on the first day back in 2018 I had a 3rd round FA Cup game and had to pick up a friend driving through dense, very heavy traffic. I had about 45 mins to get to his back in South Shields, pick him up, travel to the stadium, find a parking place, walk to the stadium and take our seat. I approached some lights which were on green. In my semi tired state and a little frantic to meet my deadline I assumed the traffic in-front would drive off but it was longer than I thought and I ran into the car in front which nudged the car in front of that. I had a Mazda 2 TF which was written off. A colleague who lives close used to pick me up in his Audi A4 to get to work (I was with him at school) till I found a car and happened on the old Lookers Ford dealership on Newcastle Road in Sunderland. I found for 9k a fantastic 2014 1.0 EcoBoost Ford Fiesta Titanium. I love it. Black leather, headed seats, Bluetooth, the works. Big improvement on my old Mazda and my first car a 04' Renault Clio Expression. The dealership is now owned by Nissan.

It is 10 years old next year and it seems from reading a message board from someone who seems to know what he's talking about when it comes to experience with 10 year old Fiestas, it needs a new wet belt and oil pump belt. Lookers in South Shields (also on a road called Newcastle Road) quoted just over £2000 but an Independent can do it for about £900 but will take 2 days.

I know I will enjoy being on here. I can't wait to be a part of the chat.

Hi welcome