Yesterday was Sunday. It was also the last Sunday before Christmas. That means it has bee two years since I moved into my house in Finglas. It is also the day my parents hold their annual Christmas drinks. Ordinarily my mother does not like Microwave ovens. Every time I or my brothers ask if she would like one she gives and emphatic no. So much so that we've stopped asking. But come Christmas she is preapred to tolerate one in her kitchen to heat up the finger food. This year I offered to lend her mine. So yesterday I got up bright and early and then went back to bed. I eventually rose at about 10. Showered and dressed and grabbed the microwave. put it in the back seat of the car and set off.
I had barely got to the gates of the car park when I realised something was wrong. I stopped the car, hopped out and checked the tyres only to find the rear left wheel was flat. So I slowly drove back to my parking space and went and called a cab.
I finally arrived at my parents' house almost an hour late but fortunately well before any guests arrived. Pete, the caterer was delighted to see me and he started heating up the food.
The party turned out well. I had a pleasant chat with the neighbours' son Anthony Litton. Anthony won a Green Card in the most recent lottery and is currently living in New York where he hopes to make a living as a sound editor. His IMDB listing is here and you will notice it includes an Oscar nominated short animation feature. Anthon's blog is here
Anyway this morning I decided to change the tyre (it was too dark to do so by the time I got home) and after wrecking my back and my knees I got the emergency wheel mounted. I lowered the jack only to find that the emergency tyre was also flat. I took a chance and drove cautiously to the nearest filling station where I was able to reinflate it. From there I made my way to F1 Pitstop where, to cut a long story short, I had two new tyres put on the car.
Afther that, I headed to Tesco for cheap petrol. I don't what was the matter with me, lack of sleep, hunger or what, but I lifted the diesel pump. Fortunately, I realised my error within seconds and ended up putting in just over a litre into about a half-full tank of petrol. The guys at the cash desk were very helpful and helped me push the car off the forecourt. I then rang my regular garage who told me they couldn't help me for two reasons: a) they were up to their necks with work and b) they were no longer a Volvo garage. They did give me the phone number of another Volvo garage on East Wall Road. I rang them and the mechanic reassured me that there was no problem. If I added another few litres of petrol to futher dilute the already small amount of diesel I should be OK. Using a jerrycan I added 10 litres of petrol and managed to get the car started. The car started OK and kept going. I have now filled the tank and she seems to be working fine.
There are only two more days left until Christmas. What else can go wrong?
10:18:46 PM  Google It!
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