Yesterday we bought whitegoods: a new fridge and an older Volvo station wagon. We didn’t want a boring or ugly car or fridge, and I’m pleased to announce that neither is either. The fridge is big, cheap, looks good and is made in Queensland. And the car: if you’re looking for a not-too-old station wagon, the Volvo is a hell of a lot less boring and more comfortable than the Camrys and Subarus we looked at first. And the stereo rocks. Today we’ll be taking it down the coast, playing Flaming Lips, Scissor Sisters and Tricky very loudly.

So laugh long and hard: we aim to change the world’s view of Volvo drivers. That won’t happen, so at least we now have an excuse for any driving quality lapses.

Swings and roundabouts.