So, you may have already read my blog about my poor van. I really think it might be on it's last legs, or perhaps more accurately wheels. On our drive up North last weekend, we heard a clunk, followed but a couple more noises of unknown origin. As usual I turned up the radio, but Rob & Lindsay exchanged worried glances. "Did you hear that?" She asked her father. "Yes" he replied "I think it came from your door". I don't want to listen to this so turn I the music up even louder, prompting an annoyed shout from Grady sitting in the back. "Shouldn't we stop and check it out ?" Rob asked me. No, I'm driving and I don't stop for clunks unless the engine does first. When we arrived at our destination, Rob ran round checking the outside of the van, and sure enough there is a large piece missing from the bottom of the side door. The clunking noise must have been as it fell off. I can still live with that. After all what's one more whistling noise, as the wind howls through the gap ? The weather is getting warmer, so it shouldn't really be a problem until next winter. It's not like anyone is going to fall out - get pushed maybe ....
It's bad enough that since I had my run in with the grocery cart corral (See My Turn on March 6th), the other side door pops the lock if we go over a bump, and although it doesn't open when we are in motion, the overhead lights keep flashing on and off, and the alarm starts dinging. It's like driving a mobile casino, without the jackpot. I swear I'm just one step away from holding everything together with bungee cords. I keep spare ones with me just in case. God only knows how the van passed it's roadworthy test last November.
However, the cosmos hasn't finished with me yet. The next day we are at the stables and Rob goes to open the back door, only to discover the handle had rusted part way through and he couldn't open it. The key wouldn't work either. We haven't had this much problem with a vehicle since we had the Tempest and the front passenger door fell off in my hand - yes, the whole door and it narrowly missed my foot ! Of course Rob entirely blamed me, but that is another story. Then there was also the Sunbird, when the engine caught fire in our driveway, but there was no way he could pin that one on me, I wasn't even home when it happened. However the Restraining Order the dealership threatened me with - that was all my fault, but for the record I was justified.
Anyway, back to my current problem. This week, I popped in to the local garage to see my mechanic(s). I told them about the handle, so they were both down on their hands and knees trying to pry the door open. After about 10 minutes of fruitless endeavours, I suddenly realised something. "Ah, do you think I should unlock it ?" I asked helpfully. To give them their due, they said "Yes" very politely, but I'm sure they had something else to say after I left. So my poor van has to go under the knife (wrench ?) again next week. Peter & Lou are going to do their best to fix the handle. I'm sure they'll manage it somehow, because when I have to swap out my snow tires, neither one is going to want to try hauling them over the back two rows of seats.
I just know when my father-in-law reads this - as he does faithfully every day - he will have a good chuckle, and I likely won't hear the end of it. He is a GM man all the way, and I really let the side down when I bought a Chrysler. So this one's for you Pops ! Lesson learned.
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