On Sunday, I posted some musings, and I mentioned that we expected our first seasonal visitors, one of my stepsons and his girlfriend.
They were late arriving, something always of concern when a long drive is involved. Due to be here by 11am, it got to midday, and then the phone rang.
After turning off the main A47 road just four miles from our house, the car had been involved in an accident. It was undrivable, and three cars had been involved. Fortunately, nobody had been injured.
A recovery truck had been called, and I was able to go to where they were to collect them once the truck arrived to take the car away.
(The damage is so severe, it is unlikely to be repaired through the insurance)
But it was much more complicated than that, of course it was. They had only been intending to stay for lunch, drop off presents, collect theirs, and drive home again around 4pm. Now they had no car, public transport was not an option with no direct train route and a Sunday service, so they were stuck in Beetley, both due to go to work this morning.
Phone calls were made in abundance, but nobody could help by giving them a lift home, or lending them a car. I wasn’t about to make a 260-mile round trip in heavy traffic in the dark, and Julie’s bad back would never tolerate such a long car journey.
So they had to stop the night, miss work today, and I drove them back this morning. So, no serial post yesterday or today, and no sign of me around the blog. I am just back from a 6-hour journey, and looking forward to the dinner I am going to cook soon.
Julie’s son now has to try to buy a car tomorrow, using taxis to visit dealerships close to where he lives in Bedfordshire. On top of that, he is a self-employed tradesman, so lost a day’s pay today, and probably tomorrow too.
But there’s more!
They had booked up to spend Christmas in a hotel in the Cotswolds, hoping to make it special. If they don’t get a car tomorrow, they will be unable to travel to that area, as it is too far to go using public transport. On top of that, they will lose the £500 they paid, as it is too short notice to claim a refund.
As I dropped them off just after 1 pm, I was hesitant when wishing them a ‘Merry Christmas’
Oh, this was definitely not a good happening. I hope they have found a new car, and were able to have a good Christmas celebration. Beeing honest i hate it driving on days when everyone is on the road. xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
He did buy another car, and they got to the hotel in time. A happy ending, Michael.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to hear. Sometimes its difficult finding words for such a misluck. xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLike
Oh, no! I hope they were able to find a car and have their Christmas getaway. Merry Christmas Pete. I have a few quiet days and look forward to catching up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jennie. Yes, he bought another car, and they got to the Cotswolds.
Hope you had a lovely 25th.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good news!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a nightmare, but thank goodness no one was hurt….
LikeLiked by 1 person
They have some aches and brusing from the seatbelts, but nothing more serious, thankfully.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a terrible start to Christmas…I hope all ends well for your family member chuq.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, chuq. If he can buy a car in the next two days, they should be able to salvage Christmas.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope to hear the story ends well
LikeLiked by 1 person
He is out trying to buy a car this morning, Geoff. Fingers crossed.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Oh that’s a crazy run of difficult situations. I hope your stepson and his girlfriend have a safe trip back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. They got back okay because I drove them all the way home. Now he just has to try to buy a car.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Oh no so sorry they had to go through all that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, WB. At least they didn’t end up in hospital.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Wow, that made a mess of things. Life is crazy like that, Back to some order then. I guess it is time to work on Christmas here. Things coming in. I will need to work tidying up. I just need to bite the bullet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a busy time for all of us, Pejj. I started biting my bullet last weekend. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am. Best wishes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry to hear all of this, Pete but at least they were uninjured it sounds like I won’t be the only one who wants to see the back of this year x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a great end to a bad year for them, Carol. At least if he can get a car today or tomorrow, they can still make their trip.
Best wishes, Pete. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always worry when anyone in the family is travelling, which is just about most of the time, though most of the time we don’t know who or where. But when expecting visitors and the clock ticks round… At least they are safe
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Janet. He is the only one of my step children who still lives outside of Norfolk. The other three live in the same town 28 miles away, so have easier trips to see us.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How awful — AND right before Christmas, too. I hope they‘ll find a(n affordable) new car soon after all, and will be able to make it to the Cotswolds after all — it sounds like they could use the change of scenery! Best wishes and fingers crossed for them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Themis. I believe he is out car-hunting this morning.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The poor kids. I know they were hoping for joy and experienced the opposite. Thankfully they were not physically hurt. I hope your stepson can find a good car quickly so he can get back to work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lauren. He has three days to find a car before everything shuts down for Christmas. I think he is going to look at a few this morning. A friend is driving him around to do that.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Best of luck to him
LikeLiked by 1 person
You were the hero Pete! Driving all that distance to solve the problem. Very generous of you especially when the kids were feeling so overwhelmed. Sorry for all the frustration, just glad everyone was not injured. Let’s hope the rest of your holiday is joyful! Hugs, C
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cheryl. Not exactly heroic, but I couldn’t see them stuck here trying to sort out cars and jobs 130+ miles away.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sending prayers and regards to your stepson and his girlfriend. I’m sorry they’re having to deal with this; especially at this time of year~I’m so happy to hear they’re not hurt, Pete. 🙏🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Karla. That they were not injured was at least one positive to take from it.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. I hope each day brings more positives in this situation!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry to hear about your stepson’s accident and subsequent troubles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Liz. It was worse for them as they were so far from home. Let’s hope they can get something sorted today or tomorrow.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Pete. Let’s hope so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry to hear it, Pete. I guess the only good part is that they escaped from the accident, physically unharmed. I hope they’re able to keep their travel plans in place despite it all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Susanne. They have some bruising from the seat-belts, but otherwise were lucky to walk away.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Oh dear. Hope things work out for them and they get to enjoy their stay in the beautiful Cotswolds. Fingers crossed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Chaya. We have everything crossed.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw man, I wouldn’t find a positive in that lot either, poor sods. Fingers xt they get to their hotel, and hopefully this time next year they can laugh about the day they got trapped in Beetley.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be a good outcome.
Thanks, FR.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear, the last thing anyone needs, especially this time of the year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Things do seem worse at holiday times or weekends, that’s for sure.
Thanks, Peggy.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
It was a bad turn of events. Sometimes we take things for granted, and we don’t realise how dependent we are on certain things. Thankfully everybody involved was well. Let’s hope things get better from now on. Sorry to hear about this, Pete. I hope you get a bit of rest now. It’s a long way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was very tired, Olga. Getting too old for long drives now. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
God Bless them! I just know something wonderful will happen that will make this dark spot in time a distant memory!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you are right about that, Annette.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry to hear that, Pete: the only consolation is that nobody was injured. Life can be cruel, sometimes. Cheers, Jon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, no serious injury was about the only positive to take from it, Jon.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an awful turn of events, Pete! Worst time of year, and non-refundable ANYTHING is always such a pain!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certainly always seems worse around Christmas.
Thanks, John.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right. When it rains it pours. Glad no one was hurt. Warmest regards, Theo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Theo.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh! Fingers crossed for them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Don. It was very hard for them to grasp the positives today.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad no one was hurt, but such a shock and awful experience. They could hire a car for their break away, better than losing their holiday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jude. Hiring a car would be one option, but if he spends a couple of hundred on that, it will mean he cannot afford to buy a used car this week, or next. They are not well off, and he works on a daily rate as a self-employed person.
(We did offer some financial help of course, and are waiting to hear if he wants that.)
Best wishes, Pete. x
LikeLike
I hope they’re ok Pete…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jack. Julie’s son is stressed to the max, but otherwise uninjured.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These things are always unfortunate but worse when it happens around Christmas time. I am glad no one was injured. A stay in the hospital would have been much worse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We said much the same, Darlene. But their plans have been scuppered, so it was hard for them to see any positives.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow – sending a prayer up for them and at least they were not injured in the accident – whew
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much. No injuries was the only good thing about that crash.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙏🎄
LikeLike
Definitely a pain and bad luck, but at least it wasn’t worse and they came out of it safe and uninjured.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jeanne. No injuries was definitely a positive.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Let’s look at the bright side too – Nobody was hurt 😃
LikeLiked by 2 people
That was one positive in a lot of negatives, Devangi.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If the accident would’ve been fatal, it would but have been one big negative 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
You got that right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Nightmare Before Christmas…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Worse for them of course, just tiring for an old scrooge like me. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As you say – an unfortunate sequence of events, but thankfully no-one was injured.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That was about the only positive we could take from it.
Thanks, Janet.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Count Olaf agrees. A Series of Unfortunate Events.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure that’s a literary pun, but I have no idea who that is. 🙂
(Or too tired to remember.)
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry to hear that Pete
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sarada. If he can buy a used car tomorrow, he might just salvage Christmas.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike