Part of the package buying our new car last September in addition to annual ‘visible checks’ was a six month ‘running in’ health check which would take about half an hour.
I booked an appointment last week for 1.30 this afternoon, so yesterday, Hubby and I put two pound coins in the vacuum slot at the local garage and hoovered out the interior as it was a bit ‘fluffy’.
Hubby decided it would be nice to have a day out, incorporating lunch at The Carvery.
I was all for that, roast dinner with all the trimmings and ice cream to follow (medicinal purposes of course for my sore throat) with the perk of no washing up.
Our final destination was about 25 miles away, though I couldn’t for the life of me remember the way to the garage.
The sun was out by the time we arrived in the city centre, so after walking round for a bit, we got two coffees and people watched, then moved location and spent an hour in the cathedral grounds (google images).
It was lovely, and there was a large grassy area (on the right here) where Maggie took full advantage, having a little rush about without overtaxing her foot and doing what dogs do. She obviously had energy to burn today.
With plenty of time to spare, we took a leisurely ride to the garage, only to discover some 15 minutes away from our appointment time that we were miles off course and going in the wrong direction.
Hubby did a 180, and drove back along the road we had just driven down whilst I got the map book out to find exactly where we were and how long it would take to get us where we had to be.
It wasn’t all bad. We had been on the right road, but had shot past the garage as there were roadworks outside and we were intent on getting through the lights, a complete distance failure!
We arrived with five minutes to spare, but in fact had 20, as the appointment was 1.45 according to their worksheet.
Not like me to make a mistake on times, but there you go, I couldn’t argue.
I took the dog for a walk whilst Hubby settled down for a cup of coffee.
Maggie and I discovered a public footpath running alongside a small brook.
I’m glad she doesn’t charge into any water, as this wasn’t one of your beautiful waterways of the babbling variety, but muddy, peaty, and a bit stinky if you got too close.
The footpath opened up into a large field which was full of rabbits, and continued over a stile, with a notice ‘All dogs on leads beyond this point’.
Maggie and I turned round and walked back.
We’d been away for about 15 minutes, so I had time to sample the coffee too before our car was ready.
Unlike the Peugeot garage, there were no biscuits on offer, but the coffee was good, and free. We gave Maggie a drink from the water cooler in a plastic cup. I guess scrounging for some of our latte coffee she’s got used to the shape and lapped it up.
As part of the service, our car could have been washed and vacuumed, but as we’d already done the latter and it wasn’t too grubby, we declined that part, so with everything clear, ship-shape and in order (and so it should be on a six month old car), we made our way to the Carvery.
They have an outside eating area overlooking the river, but it was a little chilly to be outside. Luckily, our favourite waitress was on duty and we were permitted to take Maggie inside via the veranda doors to a back table to eat our meal as it was well away from the food and restaurant areas.
It was heavenly. Maggie was given a fresh bowl of water, made a fuss of, and settled down under the table knowing she would get a few titbits.
We got home in good time, and have had a relaxing evening watching a film on Youtube.
Tomorrow will be a quiet day.
pensitivity101 