All's well that ends well

As King Charles might say: "Oh dear oh dear oh dear".

So last Thursday, Gail packed up the car and we set off from the cottage, heading for Inshriach House near Aviemore, where one of Gail's friends organises an annual gathering and I was to take part for the first time. So exciting! 

For the first five miles of the hunded mile drive, all went well.

Then, as we were passing through Torridon village at about 10 am, I was startled by sudden loud bang, the car swerving into the curb then a second even louder bang. I heard Gail utter certain words which I've been told not to repeat on this blog.

Long story short, punctured tyres, front and back on the left side of the car, a phone call to the AA, a wait of two hours and finally the recovery vehicle from Lochcarron garage arrived. 

Cue a slow journey to Lochcarron in the recovery truck, during which 'S' from Glasgow related his troubled life history (two marriages, two divorces, past problems with alcohol, job loss due to the pandemic, accumulating debts leading to house repossession, a move to a trailer in the Highlands) and political views (anti Brexit, pro-Scottish independence). None of this was making Gail look any happier.

Then a wait of three hours in the tea room above the repair shop, where Gail had to opportunity to peruse unfamiliar material in the form of motoring magazines and a nice lady gave me a biscuit.

The good news is that by 4:30 pm the car was roadworthy again, with two brand new tyres fitted. We reached Inshriach House shortly after dark, where my new best friend Lyn gave me the warmest of welcomes. I was happy enough, but to tell you the truth, Gail was still looking a wee bit stressed...

More about our time at Inshriach later in the week...