Originally Posted by FLYING BANANA
…………………….. is appalling.
We broke down yet again yesterday in Banana with total electrical failure. Trouble was we was over 80 miles from home at the Minack Theatre which is about 10 miles short of Lands End. We had such a lovely day at the theatre and walks along the coastal path, I have my niece staying with me. We returned to Banana at about 17.30. Got in and turned the key, all dash lights came on. She started then shut down. No dash lights, totally no power whatsoever. Tried a couple of times. Nothing.
Checked the battery connection, on tight. Wiggled all the under bonnet relays. I took the cover off for the fuse box and wiggled all the relays. Inertia switch hadn’t tripped. Tried again still totally nothing. But the central locking was working, and the hazard lights. Got out of the car and locked her up. Gave it a couple of minutes and the red light on the dash was flashing as normal. Unlocked the car and put the key in. All the dash lights came on, she turned over but wouldn’t fire. Then everything went out again.
I am very sorry to hear of your troubles, it must have been very worrying to be stranded in the middle of nowhere really, your niece deserves a medal, glad to see you got home in good order, I hope you and Banana both recover quickly, I do enjoy your travel stories, please keep well and keep them coming.
PS Humans possess many skills, communicating effectively is sadly not one of them.
The car park was now closing and we was stuck in the middle. But a very nice member of staff came over and took us back to the office so that I could phone the AA. The mobile signal was hit and miss. Got through to the AA and explained the problem, after taking down all my details and before she rang off I explained that the mobile signal was a bit hit and miss she replied that they would send me a text when help was on the way. I found out if I stood by the gate the signal was strong. The very nice chap locked the office up and said that he had made security aware that we was still on site.
I phoned Allen and told him what had happened and asked him to pop around to the house to put the lights on. He said that if push came to shove to leave Banana locked up in the car park and he would drive down to collect us.
I am so lucky to have such amazing friends.
A text came through informing me that “Four Winds” garage was on there way to us and would arrive at 18.35. And the text message also had the reason why we required assistance, we was out of fuel. WTF. We had plenty of fuel. Next text from “Four Winds” informed me that the rescue van would not now be with us till 19.30. Nothing else to do but wait in the car. It was still light enough but the wind was picking up. My niece had some snacks and water in her bag so we wouldn’t go hungry or thirsty. Banana has a nice big fleece blanket in the back so at least we could keep warm.
I was feeling very stressed as I was worried about my niece as she hasn’t been very well over the last 18 months and what with Banana it starting to tip me over the edge. My heart started to race, I felt sick. But Laura calmed me down by making me do the box 4 breathing exercise . It worked right up to the point she forgot to tell me to breathe out. The laughter eased the stress. Then my mobile rang, I could hear the rescue guy but he couldn’t hear me. I walked up to the gate in the dark and phoned him back. He wanted to know in which car park I was. I didn’t know there was another one.
He arrived and I let him in. He parked up and I walked over and explained that I wasn’t out of fuel has the text had implied. He wasn’t amused. I explained the problem and he said that the fault laid with my battery. He then put a booster battery on and put the key and there was no lights, nothing. He undone the battery connection and put them back on. Still nothing but the DRL’s came on along with the hazards. The central locking was working and finally the dash lights came on. And she turned over and fired for about 20 seconds before dying.
He concluded that we needed a recovery truck to get us home. He then tried to phone his control but no signal. I explained about the signal. So took the van up to the gate to contact control. Came back to tell us that control was contacting the AA to request a recovery vehicle and they would text me within the next 20 minutes. And with that he left. We was no wiser. So after about 25 minutes I then phoned the AA. They had no record of any request for a recovery truck.
Laura then took the phone and explained that her uncle, me, needed to get home to take his medication for diabetes type one. We only had an emergency dose with us. Well that certainly got the ball rolling as the AA wanted to send an ambulance as well. Laura replied please just send the truck. The AA made us a priority case. We walked back to Banana, a text came saying that a vehicle would be with us by 21.10.
Laura got the blanket and we huddled together. I was cold although I had a coat on.
Then Orange strobes lit up the sky. Laura went to let the rescue truck in. I put on the hazards so he could see me. He parked in front and the platform was down and she was being winched on. He took photos of her to prove that no damage had been done in the loading up. He spoke to Laura and she must have told him that I was feeling very well. They both got me into the rear section of the cab. And Laura put my seatbelt on. Then she got out and went and opened the gate to let the truck out. He waited whilst Laura closed the gate. Then we was off. The relief just washed over me. I could feel the tears welling up. And then a hand with a tissue was wiping away the tears. Laura you are a star.
The recovery driver asked who had come out to us initially and I replied “Four Winds”, and he asked what was the issue. I then explained everything. He said that communication between companies was appalling. He said that he had just dropped a car off in Penzance when he got the call.
The drive home was ok but the seats in those trucks are uncomfortable and cramped. Laura hooked her arm in mine and she chatted away to keep me awake. We still had the blanket over our knees.
The A38 was shut at Bodmin so we continued on the A30 till we got off at Launcston. After awhile we was soon approaching Saltash. The driver managed to swing the truck around so we could get Banana unloaded and parked up in front of the Bear. Whilst he was unloading I got Laura indoors, Allen had also put on the heating so at least it was warm inside. I left Laura and went back outside to find that Banana was perfectly parked in her usual place. The driver said who had a Pink Smart car with the sticker on the back which said “My Other Car is a V8”. I owned up, and he laughed. We said goodnight and he was gone.
The time was now 23.55. So after a pot of tea, I took my tablets. Laura washed up and I cleared up. Then Laura poured me out a large single malt before she went to bed. I was under strict orders to sip the drink and to relax before going to bed. Which I did.
Had a lousy nights sleep. Laura slept ok though and that was such a relief to know she was ok.
So now we need to get to the bottom of Bananas problems, but not today. Today I’m under instructions to rest and relax.
****Just to clarify I do not have diabetes type one but type two****
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