To place on record my version of events, after ms_tone decided she'd rather be former_ms_tone, I pulled myself out from a pit of darkness with the realisation I could basically do what I want now - including buying an excellent "mid-life-crisis-mobile". I had in mind a dismal MX5 or perhaps a kettley MGF or something. Basically I was after 2 seats and a canvas roof. SO, I had a few beers and a bit of an http://eBay.co.uk trawl, and found a nice* looking Quantum 2+2 soft top, which ABSOLUTELY floated my boat, and posted a link in the chat box. Mr Mandeus suggested what I really want is a plastic 4 seater just like the one that's been not rusting in his yard since A5 got bored of it.
Preparations were made, money changed hands, Ozzy added and engine and that sort of thing, and after much diary consulting I got the train up to pick it up. On picking it up, it burst, and I got a train home again. More money changed hands. Fast forward EXACTLY four weeks...
After a late night arsing about on premier old car forum moto-scat.com, I had a wonderful 5 hours sleep and woke up roughly 90 minutes before my alarm went off.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr HA HA HA, BUSH
Excitedly I check the national rail and highways agency websites, discovering the A1 is shut, and trains are running a restricted service, however National Rail's live departure board suggested that although my train was cancelled, and earlier train heading to Glasgow would get me where I needed to be, and my ticket would be accepted, so I washed, threw some clean clothes on, and drove to the station. (Logistics expert*)
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
The earlier train left at 09:21 so I had plenty of time.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
HOWEVER, upon my arrival at Sheffield's best mainline railway station, I found to my mild horror that as well as all services to Newcastle being CANCELLED, my back up trains to Scotland (Via Wakefield, Leeds, York, Durham, Newcastle) were all terminating at Leeds, and no trains were going further north than York.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
BALLS! Nice train information lady advised that the "no travel north of York" status was being reviewed hourly, and to check back after 10.
So I had some breakfasts.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
Moderately sustained by some grease in a bit of muffin, I checked the nationalrail website on my phone, and found that now they'd revised their previous LIES and were admitting no trains were going past York. BUGGER. So I went home, to bleat and complain on here for a bit, before opening some whisky.
Before the cork was even out of the bottle, I spied a tweet from @nationalrail proclaiming that trains were nw running north of York. HUSSAR! But also FFS, I've just got home. So I drove back to the station.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
Praise be! On arriving at the station for the 11:21 (just like the 9:21 but later and actually going where it was supposed to) was NOT cancelled, and WAS going North of Leeds.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
Although it was a teeny bit late. And RAMMED.
So I barged my way on ignorantly shoving old ladies out of the way to claim a seat and proceeded to rejoice via the internets using patchy mobile signal.
About 12ish I went for a wee.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
And read some of my book, which is about spies and stuff.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
25 minutes after it should have done, and more than that after I should have already been there, I arrived at Durham station to be greeted by a relaxed looking Ozzy, replete with plastic car and expert parking ticked avoidance excuse. He kindly drove me to his abode, and filled me with coffee.
Just before 3ish, I set off for the south.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
She and I were more than happy pootling along the A1 between 50 and 65, although we were extra nervous and expecting detours via Ripon and Leeds (HORRIBLE) as the A1 was shut cos of all the flooding CHAOS. About a minute before I pulled off the A1, they reopened it, and we ploughed on joyfully on an almost deserted big road of joy.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
I made it to Wetherby for only my second Ozzy's Coffee release/drainage break since Durham.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
By the time we hit Leeds and the M62 interchange, rush hour was hotting up, but not the SPC, which remained cool as a really boiling hot after 10 minutes in the microwave cucumber, but still not hot by car engine standards.
More time passed, and after more than 2 months of relentless anticipation SPC was safely parked outside Chez Tone.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
HOORAY!
Then I remembered I'd left the Saab in the excruciatingly expensive station car park. So I ran out the house to the bus stop. Without a coat. And it rained a LOT.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
£1.40 seemed a bit steep for a quick bus in to town, but it was exactly 10% of the cost of the parking. It was also the wrong bus, and I had to walk all the way across town in the pissing rain with very wet feet. (I really ought to buy some trainers without holes in or something).
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
And then I drove home. Tomorrow I shall take the SPC to work for everyone to marvel at.
And then I woke up and it was ALL A DREAM.
Untitled by Tony Lloyd, on Flickr
