Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Just Call Me Jonah

Last week I dashed over to see my mother. One of the worst things about living here is that we don't see our family often enough and the guilt I feel about it is a burden I'll always have. In a weak moment my mother once confessed that all she'd wanted was to be able to have her grandchildren calling in for tea after school....

The whole trip was organised pretty much at the last minute as H. does have to pick up the slack: walk the dogs, act as taxi driver and chief cook and bottle washer as well as juggling his own stuff.
I also wanted to do it on a shoestring.
H. was generous and donated a handful of air miles, the ones he saves for that exciting trip we're always going to take..I managed to find a good deal on car hire; a car is essential - there are shoestrings and shoestrings and so I set off with a light heart.
My first day there and a fool trying to beat the lights drove into the side of the car. As I write I can feel my blood pressure rising...And, of course, I hadn't taken the extra insurance. I usually do but this time I didn't...so to save some fool a three minute wait at the lights it cost me 600 pounds!
And on top of that my allergies kicked in. Just don't talk to me about Spring....

But it was lovely to see Mum and in spite of all, we still managed to have a good time.

17 comments:

Gigi said...

Poor you...and I thought British drivers were so well-behaved!

My parents usually come over here because two is cheaper than four. It is lovely to see them - but don't you find ever yourself regressing and turning into a stroppy teenager again?

tut-tut said...

How awful, Angela. I hope you weren't hurt. Doesn't the driver who caused that accident have to pay for your damage? He/she would here.

At least you were with your mother!

savvycityfarmer said...

There ARE angels everywhere...nothing like being with Mum and enjoying primroses

Z said...

Oh dear! What a dreadful thing to happen! I'm glad that you're alright though.

Loui (and his mum!) said...

Oh my goodness! I hope no one was hurt? Enjoy your stay and don't let that darken your stay!

J x

Louise said...

Doesn't it make you so angry - good deal on a flight, good deal on a car, and then £600 of damage. Ruins a trip.

Shaz said...

Oh Honey, thats awful. It does take away a little from the joy of your trip.I hope your okay and you and your mum have a great catch up.

I also thought there fault they pay.
Love to you Shaz

deedee said...

Sorry about the accident, but I bet it was good to be with your mom. Doesn't the guy who arn the light have to pay?

Kala said...

despite all you went through, you have such a wonderful and positive outlook - you seem so even tempered about the whole thing - I admire your patience!

JP (mom) said...

Dear Angela ... so sorry to hear about the car accident and the money it cost :((
Happy though that you and your mum had a good visit. We have "Claritin" here that saves me during the dreaded allergy season ... may be time to take a trip to the pharmacy? Much peace & love, JP

Tinsie said...

Sorry to hear about your accident. Some people are idiots.
Thank God you weren't hurt.

angela said...

Thank you for all your kind support.
Indeed the only thing hurt was my purse, thank goodness. At the time I was very shaken because in all the years I've been driving I've never had a bump which I'm quite proud of.
My mother was hilarious though...she was desperate to get out of the car and string him from the nearest tree!
The whole insurance thing with rental cars is a grey area as far as I'm concerned and as no one stopped it would have been difficult to allocate blame...
Angela

Unknown said...

Drivers seem to be getting worse and worse...seems like the lack of manners is rubbing off everywhere, bah! Glad you had a good visit with your Mum though ;)

Open Grove Claudia said...

I have this image of your mom chasing a guy around a tree in order to hang him up. Are you sure you not from the Western United States? Out here we call that justice.

(Well not really, but it sounds good.)

I'm glad you had a nice visit!

Jilly said...

Oh dear, what with car crashes and allergies you are having a tough time. I've a feelng tho with the end of Spring, your luck will change and life will be sweet again. Glad you weren't hurt. It's only money...she said glibly...

Jilly xxx

Kate said...

I can't add much else to the sympathy extended for your tale of woes. I like your mother's spirit, and I love the colours of the beautiful blooms in your photo!

pedro velasquez said...

There's bet basketball something about Spring that I can't resist; I spend my days in the garden centre and my weekends at rose shows and, to tell the truth, sportsbook I'm more at home here than hobnobbing with the stars at Cannes though I was pretty sick at missing U2's free mini concert on the steps of the Palais des Festivals.
I'm march madness putting my two blogs on hold now till the end of summer when I should be able to write and visit more regularly. I wish you a happy three months.. Be good!
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