I was going to have a look on my way from work but had a text to say it was OK.
Last night when I came from work I decided to tackle the non-opening tailgate glass. Repaired a couple of breaks in the wire then discovered that the microswitch was buggered too.
Today the car has refused to lock unless the tailgate is opened, the glass released, the tailgate closed, the button the the glass depresses to signal it is closed pressed, the car locked then the glass closed. Hmmm.
Had a call from son requesting the use of my car to go to work as his car has failed to start again tonight.
As the "Go and buy diesel" light came on on Monday, I thought it judicious to go and buy some in case he ran out.
Petrolprices.com informed me yesterday that the cheapest diesel was at the Washington/Birtley Services (BP) so I went there, mainly as it is practically next door to where my son lives but a couple of miles by road.
Set off at 10pm so I would get to his by 10:20.
Had to drive four miles north, join the A195 south, merge with the A1M then leave it into the service area that is split into lots of smaller service areas with lots of confusing signs, doesn't help that it is four years since I was last there and it had all changed.
Cleverly avoided the fuel pumps, navigated the restaurant parking, the wagon parking and wagon fueling areas and ended up back on the A1.
Had to go all the way around (six miles) and try again.
More success this time except when adding diesel to the tank realised that it was more expensive than the website had indicated - £1.51.9
Realised I was filling with BP Ultimate, not cheapskate diesel but was £50 into it so persevered £98.48 in total
No pen to record the mileage so took a photo with the phone.
Phone can't find the SD card with the photo on it
Took car to son and he was rather bemused to see I was an hour early.
Parked the car on the 40 degree slope outside his house as the other spaces were occupied and it is easy to get out of back onto an awkward road.
As he brought me back I mentioned that the handbrake seemed to need an extra tug the past couple of days.
He brought me home and I demonstrated the lock procedure.
Off he went, to return the car to me tomorrow when he leaves work, just in time for me to go and drop him off on the way as I pass his house anyway.
Turned my phone off to extract the card to let the computer find my photo and do the nerdy mpg stuff.
House phone rings.
Now I never answer the housephone normally as it is usually someone I don't want to speak to wanting something or trying to sell me something.
Made an exception as it was beside me.
Son very distraught. He'd parked on the same slope that I had and ten minutes later been shocked by a huge crash as my car rolled down the slope into the house and caved all the back end in
Perhaps I'll just guzzle the expensive single malt he bought for my birthday, last Thursday.
May be looking for another car for around fifty quid.
At least the car missed the huge double glazed window that we had to take out last week to get his furniture in through.
And the house belongs to his sister. She bought another house on Teeside but is moving back into this one in ten years, assuming it doesn't collapse before then
Where is the glowplug relay on a 306 D-Turbo anyway, seeing as it is the only car we have between us?
Stupid sods 
