Mercedes have kindly provided a Sprinter van and everyone will be up early on Saturday to start lugging boxes. What can go wrong?
Then the phone rings. There's been an accident, she's broken her wrist and her Peugeot 306 has been turned into a convertible by the fire brigade, who were concerned that her boyfriend might have hurt his back and decided to take him out through a space where the roof should be. Thankfully, they're both all right, if not a little battered and bruised.
And so it is that the two of them have to put their feet up while everyone else puts the Sprinter through its paces. It's a daunting prospect: a zillion feet of gleaming yellow van to manoeuvre when I'm more used to a Mini. You literally climb into the cab, which doesn't even have a rear view mirror - it's surplus to requirements as a wall of metal stands between driver and stowage space.
But providing you keep an eye on the wing mirrors, so as not to allow the far end to clip a wall or car , it's fairly easy to use on A roads and side streets.
With three seats in the front, a nice stereo and a rare break from the kids on a Saturday morning, it's almost a relaxing few hours' work. Access is provided through either the rear doors or a neat sliding side panel, and there's ample room in this long-wheel based version to negate the need for too many journeys to and fro.
The powerful diesel engine doesn't Sprint exactly, but it does carry its load quickly and smooth enough. Even the dash mounted gear change is easy to get used to. So, while I'm no expert in the man and van department, using the Sprinter for moving day is pain-free.
The next time you have need for a man and a van, save cash by hiring the vehicle and doing the lugging yourself: it is nowhere near as difficult as you might imagine.
And I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that your journey doesn't start with the bumpy ride my moving day featured!
TECH SPEC
Model: Mercedes 313CD1 Sprinter with 4 metre wheelbase
Price: £22,840 excl VAT
Insurance group: 16A
Emissions: Euro 3 compliant, with CO 214-236 g/km
On the stereo: Van Morrison - Bright Side Of The Road
Fuel consumption: 28/32mpg
Top speed: 93mph
SIMON DONOHUE
