Monday 18 March 2024

After all the excitement of the weekend, we planned a relaxing day at Chapel House today and after a late breakfast, we decide to go into Dorking, as Lady P is desperate for coffee and we need a few essentials. Prior to departure however, we notice that the rear tyre is a little flat. It’s been sitting for four days, so could it be a puncture? A leaky valve maybe? Anyway, we decide to head into Dorking and see what happens.

Once parked at Waitrose, we decide to not leave it but to go the closest service station and pump it up, then see what happens. Afterall, we plan about an hour’s drive tomorrow, so prior preparation and all that. All good so far.

Once home, after a few hours, we decide to call Hertz. This results in them dispatching the AA to check. Yes, a very small piece of plastic has pierced the tyre, resulting in a slow deflation. The sensible thing to do is to take it into the tyre place in Dorking and have it fixed.

But no, Hertz have instructed the AA to have us drive the car, under AA escort, to Gatwick Airport and there get a new car. It’s now 4.45 pm. Gatwick is 30 mins away. It’s peak hour and the AA driver wants to get home for supper.

We rush to dress warmly, clean out the car of all our stuff and agree to follow the AA man to Gatwick. “Should we drive at 50 mph, because of the puncture,” askes Lady P, sensibly. “No, follow me!” says the AA man and we tear off down the road to Gatwick as fast as the traffic allows.

There of course, we encounter the nice Hertz staff, who inform us that they have not been advised of said arrangements and they don’t have any cars available. Oh, apart from a new Polestar 2 electric vehicle. After questions regarding range, charging etc, we realize that it’s the only option if we want to get home.

Some nervous moments when Lady P insists on driving while we work out how the little mic make the wheels go around. At least the GPS works. We make it home in one piece and without any dents or scratches, throw a chook in the oven, have two gins and enjoy a late roast dinner.

Now to figure out how it works!

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