15. she didn't start ...

Pulled up outside my friends house, no parking spaces so I did a bit of reversing back up the road to the nearest one. Now, I knew the engine doesn't play properly when it's cold, so I wasn't too surprised when she stalled, but I was quite shocked when she then wouldn't start. I was nearly in a parking bay, but still well in the chuffing road, and she would not respond. Not even turn over. No roaring into life. Not even a groan. Nothing. Nowt. Absolutely fluff all...

Well, there was a small 'click', but that wasn't settling me in anyway ...

... a truly nauseating horrifying beast of a situation I didn't want to be in though - all the worst case scenarios were running through me mind ...

... me first actual proper breakdown of a mechanical nature (instead of mental!). With a 32 year old vehicle you knew it had to happen sometime. But the Irish luck was smiling tonight, Topsy might be in a state of exhaustion, but I was 30 seconds from me mates front door, which is definitely what you need in a crisis.

A reassuring phone call to a drunken Rog later, and with the help of my friends and their fantastic youngest daughter Tanisha (aged 9), the car was pushed off the road (must remember so sit in it next time to put handbrake on!) and the amazing RAC were on their way (oh how smugly thankful I am that I joined that marvelous institution).

One welcome cup of tea and some calming time with me mates later, The RAC Man, a terrific Glaswegian, had mastered Topsy's quirkiness of not liking the key all the way in the ignition, and he'd checked the battery was charged, then he really scared me by jacking me van up, which caused a lot of panic on my behalf. He found the starter motor, wriggled the connections a bit, climbed out and just effortlessly started my pride and joy into life again ...

Oh the elating relief...

The RAC MAN then showed me where me starter motor is and the bits to check if it happens again between now and me getting them properly fixed, and gave me loads of great advice on those little jobs that need doing and what tools I need to do them, so here's another

THANKS, RAC MAN

And even though she broke down (and I know it wasn't a serious one!), I love me van even more - and each setback gains me more experience and knowledge in how these machines work and how you fix 'em, and the fun factor goes up even more ... I even secretly enjoy the almost panic attacks when something does go wrong, I'm not bored by life anymore! So cheers to everyone who's been enthused enough to help me in any way!

And for Mandy, Tony, Tanisha (and clan),

THANKS MATE!

Thanks for the tea, the advice, the use of the phone, for calming me down, for the company, and for not chucking me out even though it was very late! I'm glad I've got mates as cool as you...