Carmony.co.uk on the Chris Evans show.

Earlier this week Carmony got a call form the lovely Rebecca Pike (Foxy) from BBC Radio 2's Chris Evans Show, asking if we would like to be interviewed in the innovation slot. Obviously we didn't need any time to think of our answer and the next thing you know we are planning trip.

Carmony was to feature on a special show which was dedicated to motoring, a show that was taking place in the New Forest at the stunning Chewton Glenn luxury country hotel and spa. Last November Chris Evans helped raise money for the charity Children In Need with the Children In Need Drive Time Dine and Disco with added Fabulous Ferrari Tour. This week the runners and riders got to live out their dreams and drive one of Chris Evans wonderful cars.

Friday afternoon traffic is never wonderful, so allowing plenty of time I set off just after lunch - hoping to arrive early to explore the hotel and get a good look at the luxury cars. I set off in the pouring rain and could hardly see a thing on the motorway; once past Birmingham the sun came out along with the traffic jams and the accidents. I needed to arrive by 18.00 at the latest, ready for my slot at 18.30. Google Maps had kindly informed me it would take 4 hours and 22 minutes, they clearly had not accounted for everyone else doing the trip and for 50% of those doing the trip on the country roads to be doing so in a tractor. Six hours later and with 10 minutes to spare I arrived, with Rebecca chasing me on the phone.

I was whisked up to the Radio 2 suite introduced to the team and we all stood and watched Andy Murray miss out on the Wimbledon final, if only I was a tennis fan! The teams from the fabulous Ferrari Tour had clearly been having a wonderful time, and who wouldn't given the cars they had to drive. One by one they got their 15 minutes of fame on the radio, waxing lyrical about their day, and a few shout out to their friends and family. Then it was my turn, I was led out to the balcony given headphones and a mic and repeated in my head carmony, carmony, carmony and tried to remember not to swear.

The interview was over in what seemed like seconds and I was sure I had got across the key messages. I remember telling Rebecca about the Lifestyle search allowing you to search by need and I even managed to squeeze in a reference to the running cost data which we provide on the site, along with a few name checks for the site. All in all I was pleased with the performance, and my Mum rang to say I was good so I must have been!!

You can hear the show by clicking here . If you don't want to listen to the award winning DJ Chris Evans and you only want to get to the Carmony.co.uk slot - you need to fast forward to about 1 hour 40 into the show.

Would you get into a car with a drink driver?

You may never think of drinking and driving, but do you ever get into a car being driven by someone who has been drinking?

A study from Direct Line shows that this is much more common than you might imagine. They found that more than a third of adults have got into a car whilst suspecting the driver has been over the drink-drive limit. Many of these occasions may have occurred when the passenger has also been drinking, which may lead to a rash decision being made.

The survey went on to find that despite any reservations, as many as 65% of car passengers decided to stay in the car. A half of all passengers who realise they are being driven by someone who has been drinking admit to acting as a 'look out', watching for speed cameras and police.

Should we ban smoking in cars if kids are onboard?

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health are calling for a ban on smoking in cars whilst children are passengers.

They argue that the UK falls behind many countries in terms of protection for children. Parts of Canada, Australia and the US have already banned smoking in cars if you are travelling with a child. Smoking has already been made extinct in an office environment and in pubs, in order to protect other adults, yet we can still smoke freely on the school run.

With many drivers seeing their car as an extension of their home they will no doubt feel that the 'nanny state' is taking a step too far. Opponents will also have major concerns as to how this will be policed.

We have talked before about the issues relating to smoking in cars and resell value, a more pressing concern is obviously a child's health and welfare.

What did this guy invent?

He invented an object which has been seen in cars for over 50 years. The item is not essential, but it is instantly recognisable.

The inventor is Julius Sämann, who back in 1952 invented those lovely scented trees that have hung from countless rear view mirrors: The Magic Tree.

It was also rumored that he invented silly string, but this seems to be a misunderstanding. To invent a tree which is magic is one thing, but string which is silly as well that is just too much for one person.

Petrol to hit £1.15 per litre

Petrol prices have been steadily climbing over the past few weeks, and it looks like they could surge to £1.15 per litre before the end of summer. Diesel will climb also, with the figure £1.26 being likely.

The price hike is largely down to the city speculators forcing up the price of crude oil, as they gamble on its future value.

The current average price for Petrol is over a £1 per litre and is hitting motorists, who have already had the impact of the fuel tax rise and the increase in road tax.

Research is now showing that the increase in fuel prices is forcing drivers to use their cars much less, to help control spending. The study by AA/Populus, found that a quarter of the 15,000 drivers surveyed are using their cars less.

It is important to think about all the costs associated with a car when purchasing a car. The asking price for a vehicle should not be the only criteria you think about. At Carmony we display all cars with running costs. These running costs include: road tax, estimated service maintenance and repair costs, plus details on fuel expenditure (for which mileage can be dictated). This is to help you make a much more informed choice when deciding which approved car to purchase.

Lefties - we are not alone

In total 74 countries drive on the left hand side of the road. So if you are thinking of driving abroad this summer and are worried about tackling a roundabout in the wrong direction, then you may want to travel to one of the countries listed below. I appreciate some look more inviting than others, but if you fancy two weeks in Zimbabwe fair play to you.


Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bophuthatswana
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Cayman Islands
Channel Islands
Ciskei
Cyprus
Dominica
Falkland Islands
Fiji
Grenada
Guyana
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Jamaica
Japan
Kenya
Lesotho
Macau
Malawi
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Montserrat
Mozambique
Namibia
Nepal
New Zealand
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
St. Vincent & Grenadines
Seychelles
Sikkim
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
Sri Lanka
St Kitts & Nevis
St. Helena
St. Lucia
Surinam
Swaziland
Tanzania
Thailand
Tonga
Trinidad & Tobago
Uganda
United Kingdom
US Virgin Islands
Venda
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Spotify on your mobile!

Soon we will be able to link this to the car radio :)