10/04/2024
Everyone We have been very quiet on FB for a couple of weeks. This is why..... Beware, you have got a lot to read. 😁😁 Background... Vern has had a knocking sound coming from underneath drivers front whilst in our first few days in France, Saw our friends and asked about local garage to do checkover. They booked us in, the mechanic got in the cab with Andrew and drove about and said "no problem, you are OK to Spain and back to England" .
Mistake... .Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Tuesday 26th march
Left our camping spot early heading for the washing machine and supermarket. Going along a straight, flat road doing about 60 kmph and all of a sudden there was an almighty BANG..Andrews initial thought it was a blow out. It was very frightening.
Andrew managed to steer us safely in to the side of the road. We called the breakdown recovery at 08.50am and stood outside of the van in the rain waiting to be picked up.
At some point a Highway maintenance vehicle showed up, two guys got out and explained they were there to protect us.
11.20 recovery truck arrived. The van now won't start, more of that later. Andrew got in the cab and managed to steer the wheels the right way for loading. Picture the scene.... The two original guys plus the recovery guy pushing Vern in the rain, down a slope off the main road, around a bend with a drop off on the right and Andrew gripping the wheel with no power steering. We were then winched up high onto the tow truck and the man asked Andrew if he could get down, hmm No. Andrew asked could I join him in our van. However it was pretty difficult to get up. The recovery man gave me a shove from behind and I hauled myself in. Blimey.
I was quite frightened sat inside Vern on the back of a tow truck going along and kept hold of Andrews hand tight.
11.45 we arrived at the garage.. Anyone now knows what happens in France Yes 2 hour lunch break at 12.00!
Mechanic comes to ask for chassis number and he looks underneath. Result.... Broken front offside suspension spring and shock absorber. Both front sets need replacing
Not a lot happens, we sit about in the waiting area. Not much work happening here, staff joined by visitors having cake and chatting. By 17.40 we were a bit fed up and Andrew asks for costs, it's apparent that the paper work was already completed as reception handed it straight over. Oh my God I felt sick and upset when the price was relayed to me. I admit I had murderous thoughts about Vern. It's so expensive for parts here. We don't understand some of the bill estimate .We had to take a deep breath and work out what we can do. Our options were hire car and stay at friends (bit imposing) or taxi and hotel. Bit of a brain storming together decided it was better and cheaper getting some parts from UK. The garage here could not get suspension springs until Wednesday. Quickly got on the phone to our friend Ross who has a motor parts business and we ordered part from UK. Of course it's Easter so nothing happening for few days.
Spend the night in the garage compound. Apparently a big dog patrols the compound at night. Having seen said dog I wasn't going out to check.
Wed 27th
11am mechanic comes to check why Vern not starting.
He looks with his torch in various places and finds the accident fuel cut off valve and resets it. Vern now starts. The garage explained that we couldn't stay in the van over the weekend and our kind friends offered us a bed for the duration. Nationwide contacted again and a taxi arranged for tomorrow to take us to car hire.
As there is a busy road with no pavements here I did a few laps of the grounds of the garage watching for the dog!
Spend the night in the garage compound.
Thurs 28th
Taxi comes and takes us to car hire firm. The rules state they need a holding fee of over €1000. After speaking to Nationwide again we explained our situation and a hotel was booked for us. so another taxi back to the van to collect our stuff and head to a hotel.
The Nationwide travel insurance have organised all recovery, taxi and hotel and must say we are very pleased with the service.
Arrived at the hotel. Firstly rooms are not normally ready to use until 3pm. I believe it was around 11am. Luckily one, our room to be, was ready and we were pleased. It's a basic room with ensuite by the train station. Not the best of areas but it's fine. I had packed up some crackers and cheese and other bits from the van to take with us. The gas in the van was switched off so whatever else in there will go off I believe. As we returned from our walk the next day reception stopped Andrew to say " No eating in the room" . Obviously the cleaner saw our bits of stuff. Although he got most of what she was saying, she did go on a bit and is now named the, *Dragon*. Inside our room was a printed message in English too. Had a meal in the local bar that is about 50 yards away. Good atmosphere and seem a friendly lot.
Friday 29th March
Today's mission to find the nearest launderette. Yes, brought that too! Good old Google. Lots off supermarkets here have onsite machines available. Off we went, it was a fair walk. As we were loading the washing a man was just finishing with camping stuff spread out all over the ground. We got chatting to him, he is a mime illustration artist. He explained he was on a coach with a blind man who wee-wee'd all over the place Yuk. The wee went all inside the coach locker storage area. All over the baggage so he was having to wash everything. He was from Macedonia and spoke perfect English. I left Andrew in the cafe whilst I sorted out the drying. He got talking to a French lady who spoke no English and told him her life story. She even had a scarf from Edinburgh Woollen Mill that her son had brought her and she was very proud of.
Saturday 30th March
Here in Saintes there is an Roman amphitheatre, so we set off for that today. Took our packed lunch too. Again it was a bit of a walk.Going back nearly 2000 years, imagine the gladiators in the arena. Stopped on the way back for much needed refreshments.
Sunday
Outdoor market a few feet away from hotel. Selling cheese, cooked chickens, vegetables, cooked paella, fresh fish handbags etc. Walked around the stalls. Headed off to the river and saw floating restaurants and leisure cruises on offer. The cruise boat is unique in Europe in that it runs on Electric-solar only. It sails silently with no CO2 emissions. The Arch of Germanicus stands on the river bank along with some other Roman ruins. Installed in the main square of the city, it's the symbol of the romanization of Saintonge. It was erected in 18-19 Ad at the end of the Agrippa, the Roman way, at the entrance of a Roman bridge which allowed them to enter the city. We headed back and stopped off for a sit down when we were approached by a man. The man began chatting to us and soon switched to English. He explained he was from Mauritius and we had a good chat as you do. Apparently he was an ear, nose and throat specialist doctor once. He seemed a bit lonely really.
Monday April 1st
Had a walk to the cemetery !!! . Its something we do! So many magnificent tombs which have great architecture to look at. It's a massive ground and is well looked after.
Popped in the local bar again and we saw a few of the same people from the other night. One man spoke to us and we had this idea to ask him about our garage bill. His friend could translate better and came and helped. The man introduced himself as Marc. He reckons he will go to the garage and get them to explain everything. He thought the costs were high and also didn't understand one section. Meeting him tomorrow. We shall see.
Tuesday.
I suggested to pop into the tourist information centre see if they can help any more. The lady Camile was really helpful. She didn't know mechanical terms and went to ask a boat man friend who also didn't know the term either. Camille telephoned and spoke to the garage getting them to explain everything in detail. We still are not happy but as Vern won't move without more damage we are at their mercy.
Had a look inside (Saint Pierre) Saint Peter cathedral and the organ music was playing. Recognisable from afar with its Bell tower topped a metal dome, the cathedral has been nicknamed "the eternal unfinished". This is part of what makes it amazing. As I entered I was expecting lots of people but only a few there. The organ was really loud. Lovely building. Time for a hot chocolate stop. As were making our way back heard a voice behind saying "I saw you walking" . It was Marc from the bar. He stopped to have a chat. We explained what we have learned about the estimate to him. He still thinks something not right. He said that he would pick us up in the morning and take us to the garage and speak together with them.
We learnt that the part from the UK has only just left😭 we got it's tracking number so can keep up with the journey.
Meal out at the local bar, getting through the menu!
Saw Marc again and bought him a drink, we chatted about tomorrow some more. Learned he is of German origin now living here speaking fluent French, English and, of course, German.
Wednesday 3rd April
Marc picked us up as arranged and took us to the garage. He went through everything again with us on the way. Reception spoke to Marc and he translated all the information to us. Still not very happy but our choice is to either get another removal truck and another garage. Maybe reception get the hump with us as we now asked two different people to query on our behalf. Well tough, we don't understand and need help. . We have no idea about that plus the UK part is arriving at the nominated garage. Apparently we could have been charged for staying on their grounds!. Nice to see Vern and I gave him a hug as I had had some horrid thoughts about him.
Marc dropped us off at the hotel and we thanked him. What a nice man. He would not take any money for fuel. We will pay his kindness forward. We headed off in the rain showers to find alternative for food as our local bar closes on Wednesday. Found a place in the centre of the city with real tablecloths. Very nice too.
Needed to think of something else to give our mental health a boost, so went to explore a bit of culture. The Abbey of the Ladies is a jewel of Romanesque architecture in Saintes, the Abbey offers with Musicadventure, fun and connected experiences to explore its history and its music. The spaceship type capsule holds a wicker like phoenix shape object which makes music.
We contacted the Nationwide again for another night in a hotel. Taxi booked to collect us.
Ps obsessed with checking the tracking number.
The parcel tracking says its gone back to where it started Omg, Omg!!!! . Parcel force took 75 minutes for a human to answer the f###ing phone. Listening to the automatic repeated message. What a joke. The operator explained it like that most days and there is a glitch on the system so it shows in error. Why can't they state that on the website or tracking page. We are totally frazzled. It's exhausting all the worry. Been quicker for us to go ourselves! Or go to outer Mongolia.
Thursday 4th
The tracking hadn't been updated at 2.30am or 5am grrr. We checked in early about our night stop. Staying here tonight apparently. We have asked to be moved.
Went out for lunch at our local bar. Busy in there today. Marc came and had a update of our saga. Nationwide rang while at lunch as its different operators each time we check their name. Apparently will update us later. I left Andrew and went for a walk, bit of a wander round, helps me lift my mood.
Still no movement of parcel tracking. Back for evening meal at our bar. Saw Marc again, glad he's keeping an eye out for us. But no more further forward.
Parcel tracking no updates at midnight and 5am grrr.
No hotel update either.
Friday
Telephoned parcel force quick answer today, only 5 minutes until we spoke to a human. No further forward. Couldn't tell us anything new.
Telephoned Nationwide. New hotel issued with tea and coffee facilities, oh how I have missed that! Taxi booked to collect us at 11am.
Arrived at new hotel, room not ready until 3pm. Asked could we sit and have a drink please while we wait. The room was ready about 1.15 so we took all our belongings and settled in. This room has a kettle! Have I mentioned that? Ooooooo left the tea bags and cappuccino sachets back with Vern, bu**er. The hotel supplies a few sachets, be nice to have a hot drink in the morning without having to venture outdoors in search of one. Only it has cardboard cups. The room has a bath with overhead shower. Higher double bed and on the ground floor. It's located in the commercial area with big outlets like equivalent of B & Q, Hyper U supermarket etc. We had a walk to find some lunch and then collapsed.
No further updates from Parcel Force. I am complaining about the service. Bless Marc rang to check we are okay and see what else can we do?
The sunshine today is glorious, shame got no chairs to sit outside. I went to ask reception what time we need to vacate the room. I believe that we will be here all weekend. Felt bit weepy tonight as the passed week events have taken its toll on both of us, it's the not knowing.
Saturday
Confirmation from Nationwide we got 3 more nights here, giving us until Tuesday morning. We did check how the budget was doing, each section has its own limit. The taxis come out of one amount and hotels another as per their policy.
I had a walk about this morning, leaving Andrew in charge. It's warm and windy today, tried to blow away my cobwebs. Set off together to the supermarket where there is an onsite cafe. Whilst sitting checked the parcel Yippee, whoop, whoop it's been delivered. Phew. It's hard to believe until we see everything done and working for us. Now we have to check when work will be starting. I don't believe that they work on Saturday. There was a Rapido sat outside in the Carpark, it's a sign. Get back to hotel and the electronic key doesn't open the room door. Andrew goes to reception to check armed with the confirmation. Apparently we should have gone to get the card loaded earlier.
Andrew telephoned the garage and they confirmed that they have the part 😁😁😁 and work will start on Monday and they will finish on Tuesday. Phew again.
Sunday
I went to explore a bit more by myself this morning. It's humid today. I found the football pitch and stadium it's not a great area for walking but nice to see something different. On my return I had a deja vu moment when I saw the recovery truck from the garage where Vern is being fixed. I looked, looked again and I thought I recognised the driver. He sort of had acknowledgeable look at me. There was a small car being carried away on board. Hope they fair better than us. We went across the road to the boulangerie where there was a large selection of cakes, bread baguettes and sandwiches. We chose our food and sat down for a while. So busy here today, of course the supermarket is closed. An oyster stall is set up outside and seems to be doing a good trade too.
Monday
Had a morning walk about, it's a brighter here today.
Took Andrew to Hyper U again (he just loves shopping!) mooched around the shop. Sat and had lunch in their onsite cafe. No news from the garage yet at 14.00 keeping everything crossed
Here's our scenarios...
It's the wrong part
They find more damage
They need more time
They can't fix it
The list goes on.
The nationwide telephoned this afternoon just checking in. They have also spoken to the garage.
List of positives
No cooking
No cleaning
No washing up
We are OK
We are together
Tuesday
On and off showers this morning I have done laps of the hotel car park, it's a waiting game.. We are allowed the hotel room until 12. No point going to garage until after 2pm as they close for lunch. We go to wait the the hotel lounge. We decided to ring at 4.30 and it's ready. Taxi arranged to pick us up. Ask reception for keys and bill. They don't seem to do much work here, lots of chat. The keys were inside the van. Andrew started up and seemed find, but we wanted a test drive first before paying. Went to reception to explain and I stay back for guarantee. They we so rude, laughing at Andrews explanation of the going around the block. He did his best too. They then make us wait. Eventually paid our bill and went away. I really wanted to give them a piece of my mind about their attitude.
Remember the fridge had been left with items inside... Well what a stink. We found a Park4night place and got rid of most of it. Andrew realised it's not the right one as it has no toilet empty facilities. We need that too. Another quick look and there another spot done the road, in fact we had passed it. The toilet was a bit ripe too.
Major clean of the fridge, now wondering how to get rid of the stink!!
