To start, let me back up and say a little about my rental car.
When I arrived at Europcar at Heathrow Monday, when I was going the paperwork, the gal convinced me to buy tyre and windscreen insurance, which I did - not normally something I usually do. Then, I was told to choose any car in Zone 2. Well, there was only one car there (thanks for the great choice, Europcar!) and it was damaged. Then, another car (a red Vauxhall) was delivered to Zone 2 so I decided – too quickly – to take it. The drive to Collingbourne Ducis and subsequently to Motcombe went well although some of it was on narrow country roads and, when you have the choice of bearing left or hitting an oncoming lorry, the choice isn't too difficult. However, sometimes the left side of the road has potholes - and some of them are not small! I hit quite a bad one on the way to Motcombe. So, this morning, when I checked the tire (that would be tyre here!) the air in it looked quite low. I phoned Europcar to get that sorted out and it goes without saying that I was very happy that I’d taken out the tire insurance. They told me I had to drive to Blandford Forum, about 15 miles away, to get the tire replaced but, of course, there was the worry of getting there on a nearly flat tire. Ann led me to a gas station but the air hose there wasn’t functioning. Next, I followed her to Tesco and that one was out of order as well. So, I took a chance that I could drive there on a bad tire. Well, I nearly made it but about 2 miles from the tire shop, the tire blew and I had to stop because driving just on the rim was stupid and dangerous. I found what I thought was a safe place to pull over off the very busy road and started making the calls for ‘”roadside assistance”. Now, let’s be clear, it was over 32’ and it was not fun sitting there. This was just before noon. I was told that someone might be able to get there between 1:30 and 2. In the meantime, some woman came by and told me I was blocking the entrance to the farmer’s fields and that I must move. I explained my situation and she basically told me to change the tire and get on my way. I told her in Canada we were more polite and helpful to tourists in need! I actually wanted to tell her to screw off! At least, when she went and “reported me” to the farmer, he told her he wasn’t going to use that pasture today. Whew! What a relief! Then a guy came by in a Corvette whose driveway I was only slightly blocking and he gave me “the finger” then gunned his car down his dusty unpaved driveway. So much for British civility! Two and a half hours later - not fun in 32 degrees with only tepid water and a melting Mars bar in the car - a lovely guy from AA named Mark arrived and he was wonderful and helpful. He put on the spare, led me to the tire store, and made sure I was okay. The guys at that place were also great; they sent me off to a café for some lunch while my car was “fixed”. By then, it was after 3 and I was now facing a nearly 3 hour drive north to get to Westward Ho! where I have rented a flat for about 10 days. So, these are not your usual photos from a British vacation - or hopefully anywhere!
Well, it all worked out finally. I arrived at my destination ahead of schedule. The flat - not the tire but the apartment is spectacular and I found a lovely little Italian café whereof a glass of Prosecco followed by some dinner with a glass of rose wine. I sat on my balcony sipping more wine but cursing the Morris dancers below. At least later it was quiet and the air was a bit cooler. Tonight is the solstice and I was thinking how different Stonehenge would be this evening compared to how quiet it looked yesterday when I drove by. Anyway, after a bit of a harrowing and frustrating day, life is once again very good!
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