So, there I was, early Friday evening, stuck just north of Sandy, with a broken car. The fault? Suspected coil, and sod's law being what it is, the only bit of the ignition system I don't have in my box of spares. I'd taken it out of the box years ago, thinking, "Why do I need that?"
Anyway, the AA turned up. Unfortunately with very vague details of where I was, what was wrong, and also that the car is dark green, rather than green. Not being able to do anything, it was a case of arranging a tow. At which point I discovered my cover isn't as all covering as I thought. And, not surprisingly, on a Friday, in heavy traffic, sorting an upgrade over the phone wasn't that easy.
So, start calling round to see if anyone's at home and can come and rescue me 
Fortunately, Nicky was just about to start dinner, so hadn't had any alcohol and so jumped in her car and dashed over. Within the hour we'd been back home, stripped coil's off the other cars, and back with enough spare parts to restart a fleet of Golfs, never mind just mine 
Within minutes all was well, I bode my "Knightess in Shining Armour" () a fond farewell, and hit the road once more.
Got up North by 12:30am, having missed tea, last orders, finding my brothers very drunk and asleep on the sofa's
If only everything in life was as reliable....
A 7 year-old boy was at the centre of a Stevenage courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents & the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law & regulations requiring that family unity be maintained.
The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents & he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out that they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate family & learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.
After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to Stevenage Borough Football Club, whom the boy firmly believes are incapable of beating anyone.