Would you believe it?

[Julie]

Well what an evening I've had....got a call from hubby at 6.30pm his car had broken down about 2 miles from home. Just off the slip road of the M4. I phoned the AA who were going to send a nice man (very nice man) out within 60 mins.

Being the dutiful wife I am -I drove to hubby to keep him company and so he could sit in my car. Well at 9.15pm the nice man finally arrived! This was after a lot of phonecalls and apologies from AA.

The head gasket has gone on the car! Straight after us paying for the service and MOT last week. Apparently it wouldn't have been detected and is a common fault in MG's. Not that I need telling, we had to put a new engine in 3 years ago and the car is 6 yrs old. So what to do next?

Well we're not even thinking about it until after our hols!

Some good has come out of it though - firstly we met this fantastic traffic policeman. He couldn't have done anymore for us ( apart from fixed the car[:D])so a big thumbs up for The traffic police in South Wales. Secondly me and hubby spent nearly 3 hours of quality time together [:D][:D][:D]

[Viki.W]

Ah Julie, what a way to spend the time though eh? Sorry about the car, I didn't realise MGs were like that. Hope you get it sorted. X

[Julie]

Thanks Viki - No doubt it will mean money that we haven't got - just another challenge eh?

He needs the car otherwise he can't work so if need be we'll contact the IP and see where we go. To be honest the car has been a nightmare since we bought it.

[freelili]

Oh my goodness, not been the best week for you has it??

I hope you manage to get it all sorted out soon.

Best of luck.

[moretolife]

hi swans girl...its a pain when cars go wrong...hope it gets sorted asap..
gotta ask...3 hours quality time in an MG??!!

[Julie]

Its all sent to try us!

My lips are sealed but it was quality time [:I][:D]

[freelili]

You didnt?

[Julie]

Nah Lily we too old and the nice policeman kept driving by [:(]

Did have a good laugh though - about anything and everything - so a bad evening turned into a good one. He's gone to bed now as he's in work at 6am.

[Julie]

I have just sent a letter to the chief constable commending the officer who helped us last night. I just thought we hear so much about lack of policing in Britain, its good to give credit when its due too.
Just trying not to think of the cost to repair...another challenge [:D]

By the way - anyone watching Andy Murray!

[kallis3]

It just goes to show that the police can be wonderful at times!

Good on you for writing a letter. Most people complain, so I am sure that they will be pleased to have a letter praising them.

[Skippy]

Sorry to hear about the car Julie - when I changed my car last month I thought of a Rover (my dad's favourite car so being sentimental!) but read about so many engine problems and head gasket problems that I didn't bother.

I hope you get it sorted out, and I'm glad you've written a letter to the chief constable - when we keep hearing bad things about the police it's good to give credit where it's due.

I haven't been watching Murray, I've been suffering the England football match unfortunately!

[Julie]

Thanks both - to be honest we bought the car new ( on finance)and had nothing but trouble. Rover went "bust" so we had a huge legal battle and its gone downhill from there with the car. Luckily I've got an 8 yr old almera that may be a boring car, but its reliable!

Think the repair on the mg will be more than the cars worth so will have to talk to IP - but we'll cross that bridge and reach the other side...I'm confident.

Through going to football matches, I have come across some pig (no offence intended)-ignorant police,who do the force no justice. So, to meet this officer last night was refreshing. Hope he gets a BIG pat on the back.

[angelrainbow]

Had a chat with Mr Rainbow...

If you can do it yourselves or have a mechanic friend who could do the repair it would set you back about £100 for the bits and bobs

But - for a garage to do it is at least a full day's job, more likely two and so labour charges would be around £500

[Julie]

Angelrainbow - thank you ever so much. How kind of you!

I'm relieved at that info - thought it would be £4k circa.I don't know anyone that handy, hubby's totally challenged in anything useful [;)] He can run a superrmarket on his head but ask him to flick a bonnet and... well nots go there!

Thank Mr Rainbow for me. I'll now search for a friendly mechanic - anyone know one [:D]