This was one of those days that we'll probably laugh about when we remember it, but it didn't seem so funny at the time.
After a hearty breakfast we headed out to the car to do the almost 100 mile circular tour. It was raining, not good. Numbum didn't want to start, the battery was low. Pam started to push and was assisted by a kind fellow traveller who's name I didn't get. Thank you, kind Sir.
A short stop for fuel gave cause for concern but the car fired up without issue and off we went. A quick glance at the ammeter showed that it wasn't charging but I thought we would be OK as the ignition uses very little current. It was still raining.
The route took us through Duns, the home of the Jim Clark museum which we planned to visit and we arrived in Duns, very wet, at midday. The museum didn't open till 2pm so we went in search of a cafe. The only place we found was takeaway only and they told us the nearest sit in cafe was about two miles away.
It was raining even harder now and we didn't fancy hanging around for two hours so decided to head back to the hotel. The car wouldn't start and Pam was press ganged into pushing again. We got going and found a more direct route back via the A1. Pam's fingers were aching from working the wipers all that time.
Back at the hotel, it was a case of head for a hot shower and dry clothes to get comfortable again. Once warm & dry I asked at reception if they had any facilities for charging a battery. I got a very disinterested 'No' with no offer of any information as to where I might get one.
As it was a bank holiday Sunday I decided to call the RAC and after about an hour the familiar orange van appeared. After establishing that the charging system wasn't, I had two choices. The RAC man couldn't afford to spend an hour charging my battery so my choices were recovery back home or buy a new battery. I bought a new battery...Ouch! It was soon fitted and all was well again. My good friend, Don offered to take my old battery home in his boot. This was good as I had no room for it in the TA. Thanks, Don!
With all this going on I didn't take any pictures but here is some video showing how wet it was.
After a hearty breakfast we headed out to the car to do the almost 100 mile circular tour. It was raining, not good. Numbum didn't want to start, the battery was low. Pam started to push and was assisted by a kind fellow traveller who's name I didn't get. Thank you, kind Sir.
A short stop for fuel gave cause for concern but the car fired up without issue and off we went. A quick glance at the ammeter showed that it wasn't charging but I thought we would be OK as the ignition uses very little current. It was still raining.
The route took us through Duns, the home of the Jim Clark museum which we planned to visit and we arrived in Duns, very wet, at midday. The museum didn't open till 2pm so we went in search of a cafe. The only place we found was takeaway only and they told us the nearest sit in cafe was about two miles away.
It was raining even harder now and we didn't fancy hanging around for two hours so decided to head back to the hotel. The car wouldn't start and Pam was press ganged into pushing again. We got going and found a more direct route back via the A1. Pam's fingers were aching from working the wipers all that time.
Back at the hotel, it was a case of head for a hot shower and dry clothes to get comfortable again. Once warm & dry I asked at reception if they had any facilities for charging a battery. I got a very disinterested 'No' with no offer of any information as to where I might get one.
As it was a bank holiday Sunday I decided to call the RAC and after about an hour the familiar orange van appeared. After establishing that the charging system wasn't, I had two choices. The RAC man couldn't afford to spend an hour charging my battery so my choices were recovery back home or buy a new battery. I bought a new battery...Ouch! It was soon fitted and all was well again. My good friend, Don offered to take my old battery home in his boot. This was good as I had no room for it in the TA. Thanks, Don!
With all this going on I didn't take any pictures but here is some video showing how wet it was.
The rest of the afternoon was spent lazing about until it was time for dinner. The food this time was much better and we really enjoyed it. After dinner entertainment was provided by Opus One, Newbattle High School Big Band. This was an eighteen piece swing/jazz band and very good they were too. This was followed by a raffle but we didn't win anything. The evening was rounded off with more great conversation.
Only 74 miles today.
Only 74 miles today.
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