How collecting the C1 was thwarted by a bunch of BANKERS and how Carol’s clambering thru the casement was commemorated in CAKE!

Harry’s been quite busy, visiting Ullswater and Keswick, and the Ullswater trip was significant as it was the first outing with four people travelling. We’re told the rear seat is quite comfortable, with good views, but the occupants have to like each other!

Hmm – well, that’s all right, then. And no, that photo isn’t taken in the van, it’s at the ‘Watermill’ at Ings, where we went later to celebrate CAROL’S RETIREMENT. Yes, she worked her last day at Center Parcs last Thursday, 19th August.

(Now, if anyone came in late, or has forgotten, scroll down and read or re-read Chapter 4 ‘First Nights Out’, or the next bit wont make sense.)

So on Monday this week, her (former) colleagues gave her a ‘do’ at one of the Indian restaurants in Penrith and presented her, among other things, with a cake – brilliantly worked to show how Carol solved the problem of being locked out of Harry by climbing   in thru the top window!

        Next day, we SHOULD have collected the C1 and brought her (him?) home. All was well untill it came to paying, when the payment by debit card was repeatedly declined, in spite of assurances from the first person we spoke to at the bank (A&L, now Satan-DER)   that on the next attempt a number would be sent down the line for the dealer to ring to get authorisation. “we’ve had trouble with that bank before” was the dealer’s less than helpful contribution. Time was short, so after several more unproductive phone calls (“Why can’t you phone the dealer?” – “It doesn’t work like that” Thank you, Mark Benton!!) we wrote a cheque and left carless, leaving it for a week for the cheque to clear. As Carol said, we’re not short of cars! BANKERS!