Saturday 22 November 2008

The Joys Of Motoring !!!!!!!!

On Thursday Hub and I walked for miles looking in garages to find ourselves a car - have you noticed that you actually need a car to get to these out of the way places ? Anyway , we found the perfect family car for us. plenty of room inside and a big boot for the pushchair and for camping stuff in the summer. It had just been brought into the garage so the guy said he would get it all cleaned up and then bring it to our house so I could give it a test drive. The test drive went fine and a friend of ours who knows about cars checked it out , gave it the thumbs up so we agreed to buy. The guy said it needed a few more bits and pieces doing to it so took it away and then dropped it off for us yesterday afternoon. I kept checking out of the window to make sure it was still there. It might just be me but doesn't it seem odd leaving something you own out in the street?



This morning we loaded the car up and with me shaking like a leaf we set off on our first journey. Our first destination was my parents house to show them our purchase. My parents live in a village with only one road in and out of it, as I was driving round the roundabout at the top of this road the car died - slap bang in the middle of the roundabout -- kaput -- nothing. Hub and a very kind man pushed it off the road and into a bus stop. My dad arrived to help and started the car straight away saying it might have been a bit of dust in the petrol as we had just filled it up. We spent some time at their house watching a lovely pheasant in their back garden and then decided to go for a spin along the coast .





It was bitterly cold ( I forgot to mention we did have a very thin covering of snow this morning) but the waves were amazing and it was a really great feeling just to be able to stop whenever we wanted and then jump back into the warmth of the car and go somewhere else.



We decided to stop for lunch of hot roast chicken and sausages , but when it came time to start the car again - NOTHING, it just wouldn't start and the sudden smell of petrol was overpowering. I tried to call the garage where we bought it only to be told they were closed on Saturday!!! Luckily there was a mechanic from the AA ( car breakdown service) close by, he had a look and told us that the cap had came off the fuel pipe so there wasn't any fuel getting to the engine. He managed to mend it temporarily but said we must get back in touch with the garage we got it from on Monday .



So off we set again, 5 minutes down the road - NOTHING AGAIN - to say that both me and Hub were furious was an understatement. What with 2 upset and crying tired kiddies I think if I put into words how we felt I'd be banned from Blogger !!!! We called the AA and a lovely man called Ken came to our rescue



He deduced the petrol pump had burnt itself out and very kindly gave us a tow home



This photo is courtesy of hub who thought it quite amusing I'd asked him to take a pic of our tow truck.
So there you have it - my first drive out and my first tow home. Driving is great fun isn't it?

21 comments:

Locket Pocket said...

OH what a nighmate! I hope everything goes ok with the garage on Monday - don't let them mess you around! Lucy xxx

Louise said...

I hope you get some joy out of the garage, you must be so annoyed and upset with the whole situation. The very, very nice man from the AA has saved us a few times in the past too. All the best Lisa. x

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

How disappointing that your first outing had to be spoilt by car troubles! Hope the garage makes it up to you on Monday! You are going to enjoy having your own wheels.

Leanne said...

Oh Lisa ...what a terrible experience. Good luck with the garage.

driftwood said...

what a terrible shame, I do hope it gets sorted out soon. and yes we've been rescued by the AA a few times too, in fact hubby's uncle used to be an AA man.

Kellie said...

Oh Lisa you must be so very upset! I would be so cross!!! I so hope it all sorts itself out! ... with no extra cost to you!

Kate said...

Oh no- I hope they sort it out for you!

Just Original said...

I had to laugh, but I can imagine you are steaming as I would be, but at least you will look back on this episode and laugh too!

Kitty said...

Oh no! :-O If the garage don't do what they should, get straight on to Trading Standards, won't you? Blinkin' cheek - giving you a car which isn't 'fit for the purpose!'

Beautiful pictures though.

x

Simone said...

Hope you manage to get it sorted Lisa.

The Wittering Knitter said...

Aw bless, what a nightmare on your first real driving your own car experience! It really isn't that bad all of the time and I'm sure you'll get things sorted at the garage. Just a shame your weekend wasn't as you'd expected. Hope it goes ok tomorrow.

LizzieJane said...

Oh my goodness how very disappointing for all of you, I hope everything goes well on Monday and that it doesn't cost a fortune to fix.
That being said, I so enjoyed your wonderful photo's of your trip so it wasn't a total loss.
x

Poppy said...

I hope all goes ok at the garage on Monday. I loved the photos! love Lou xxx

Ally Jay said...

Ahh the stops and starts of the intrepid motorist. Sorry your first journey was a bit of a baptism of fire. Let's hope the next one is a lot more fun.

Adrienne said...

OH my gosh! What a nightmare! My first car was a hunk of junk (not that yours is ...) I had all kinds of trouble ... but i was 17 and didn't have 2 kids in tow! Oh, I hope your next outing after the car is fixed is problem free - yikes ~ Love the tow truck pic - I've seen may of those in my day - ha!

gayle said...

That is just dreadful. I used to have a picasso and there were a few problems too, however that is because I had bought a car that had previously been written off. I didn't know this. I hope you get it all sorted and can enjoy your car. I do agree that as far as design goes they are the perfect family car. You can walk from the back seat to the front seat which is just so clever when you need to strap kids in etc.

silverpebble said...

Yowch that sounds dreadful - what bad garage people to have sold you such a car - I hope they mended it quick smart or gave you another car to replace it. It makes me cross for you just reading about it. really hope it resolves. Emma
x

Unknown said...

oh no - what a poopy way to start your new motoring life! Thank goodness for the AA though - aren't they lovely!

Carol said...

Oh Lisa, what disapointment. I was enjoying the trip out in your car too. I think the air would be very blue were it my car. Take it back and get a refund, do not leave the garage until you get your money back.
Good luck with the outcome.
Carol xxx

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

I am ashamed to say I am laughing... not being nasty but is that not just sods law... I hope it all gets sorted, I drive one of those and I love my car...
As for the beach pictures... I drew breath ... so beautiful

Curlew Country said...

Oh my word! We've been having car problems lately and I can identify with you so much and your poor little ones. If its any consolation we've got two cars and one of them is exactly the same as yours. Its an old one but has (fingers crossed) been really reliable and taken us up and down the country, all over the place. Hopefully you'll get this problem sorted and it'll run along fine for you. lovely cars to drive.
Take care
Stephx