8: The Car...Part Deux
/You thought we were finished dealing with the car, didn’t you? Boy, were YOU wrong!
I’d been having a lovely time walking and being driven by other people and putting the car stress behind me. The tell-tale sign that I was still a little tense about driving again was that I wasn’t interested in taking the car anywhere. I thought it was just fine where it was, parked on the street. Glenn was starting to send little signals to me that it really would be okay if I took the car around a bit. I admit I felt like I needed to not lose my nerve and get in some more right-handed turns and put some of his advice into practice, which was keep the car in the middle of the lane and move over when necessary. That will keep the right side on the pavement, for sure. Ok, I’ll do it. I want to have the satisfaction of making my way around. Of independence. And after all, I do HAVE to drive myself out when the time comes to leave.
Liz asked how fresh salmon and vegetables sounded for dinner one night— she was cooking! OK, Hold that thought…
I drove the Nissan CashCow Quilt car Bonnie Lass out of Hawes and up into the neighboring village of Gayle. Glenn’s advice was solid. I did quite a few right-handed turns, back ups, and single lanes. I was feeling good so I headed out without a particular destination other than “west.” Wow, it felt good to be out on a sunny day! The CashCow Quilt car had a massive sun roof and I had the cover back to have sunlight in the car. The windows were down and I could smell the flowers and the sheep (an interesting, but not altogether unpleasant odor) as I toodled toward Garsdale to see the train station and turn back in time for a beautiful salmon dinner. I even negotiated a 7 or 8 point turnaround in the train stations’s narrow drive. I was pretty pleased. I texted Glenn and Liz at 4:50pm saying, “All is well. Made it to Garsdale.” And headed back.
About fifteen minutes later I sent another text. “Spoke too soon. Just had a tire blow out and there is no spare.”
(For the record, I was FULLY prepared to change that tire myself.")
To sum up the events of the rest of the evening, Glenn tore out of their place armed with my vague description of the location. If you are going to break down in the Dales, do it where I did. Gorgeous landscape AND cell coverage (if that hadn’t been the case, I might still be on that hill)!! I got busy looking for the rental contract and roadside assistance numbers and Glenn was there in short order. An hour and a half later the handsome and capable AA driver (which is AAA over here) was there and had the Nissan CashCow Quilt car Bonnie Lass on the back of a truck. We were keeping Liz apprised because she was timing our dinner. Because the Dales are, well, the Dales — and because Glenn is, well, Glenn — these Dalesmen were able to arrange having the CashCow Quilt car taken directly to the garage after hours that night, speak to the mechanic in person, and have a tire change ordered for the next day.
We walked in the house and Liz put an absolutely gorgeous meal in front of us. And yes, there was wine.
I don’t know if there is a moral to this story at all. But having friends who will drive out and find you in the middle of the countryside at a moment’s notice are worth more than just about anything in my book.
This song comes to mind…and it’s for you, Liz and Glenn. Thanks for all the things.
https://youtu.be/qXuPyE7CKZQ?feature=shared
When It Don’t Come Easy — Patty Griffin
Red lights are flashing on the highway
I wonder if we’re gonna ever get home
I wonder if we’re gonna ever get home tonight
Everywhere the water’s getting rough
Your best intentions may not be enough
I wonder if we’re gonna ever get home tonight
But if you break down
I’ll drive out and find you
If you forget my love
I’ll try to remind you
And stay by you when it don’t come easy
I don’t know nothing except change will come
Year after year what we do is undone
Time keeps moving from a crawl to a run
I wonder if we’re gonna ever get home
You’re out there walking down a highway
And all of the signs got blown away
Sometimes you wonder if you’re walking in the wrong direction
But if you break down
I’ll drive out and find you
If you forget my love
I’ll try to remind you
And stay by you when it don’t come easy
So many things that I had before
That don’t matter to me now
Tonight I cry for the love that I’ve lost
And the love I’ve never found
When the last bird falls
And the last siren sounds
Someone will say what’s been said before
It’s only love we’re looking for
But if you break down
I’ll drive out and find you
If you forget my love
I’ll try to remind you
And stay by you when it don’t come easy
