Breakdown in Hollowell
Well yes it does happen. Both me and the lorry had a bit of a
breakdown in Hollowell. The lorry first.
I was almost there too. The final stretch of the A14 from Junction 19
on the M6. Major roadworks there just
now to improve that horrible junction.
My mind working ahead as always.
Arriving a day early to set up in peace and calm. Meeting all the annual
friends at that lovely ground. (www.hollowellsteam.com) Wondering
where Allen would site me this year.
Never-the-same-pitch-twice Allen Eaton.
Epic show organiser and OBE. He
re-arranges the showground every year so we all meet new neighbours every
year. It’s a great show for lots of
reasons, but mostly because he makes it a great show.
My reverie is shattered by the brake air
pressure warning buzzer in the cab, and I look at the gauges to find a drastic
loss of air pressure in the tanks.
Luckily (and I do seem to be lucky in these things), a layby looms and a
space is available. Various half-hearted
attempts to solve the issue but soon realise it’s an Autohome job. While they come I read through all the
manuals I have on the Cargo braking system.
Makes fascinating reading!
Autohome are the only recovery company who specialise
in classic vehicles of all sizes. If I
sound like an advertisement then that’s OK because I am their No. 1 supporter
and advocate. They are inexpensive,
efficient and they take real care. But
what was especially good is that they were prepared to relay me to the
showground and then pick me up from there on Monday to take me back to my
garage in Llay. I don’t know of any
other relay company that would have done that.
Certainly not the big ones. It’s
one trip and one trip only with them. In
talking with Bob and Jason, I find out that it’s still a family run business
with many of the people who work there also as families. Jason’s partner works for them and the whole
business seems to be one big extended family.
Jason said the boss, with whom he was on first name terms, was a Vintage
vehicle aficionado so that perhaps explains their service and attitude. If you are thinking of changing your
breakdown service, check them out (www.autohome.co.uk). They also cover modern vehicles too.
As I said they are much less expensive than the big guys and are much
more personal and efficient into the bargain.
The lorry came back to Llay was mended in a
couple of hours and we are now back on the road, a few quid poorer, but now
knowing a lot more about the braking system on vintage Cargos. The air tanks need occasional draining as the
air which is compressed through to them has water vapour in it of course, and
that water can’t escape so condenses and stays in the tanks. Added to the minute drops of oil coming
through from the engine-driven compressor and generally any other gunk, the
tanks had become clogged as had the pipes so no air could get through to them
and the rest is obvious. Another job to
make sure is done from time to time. Drain the air tanks.
And my breakdown? Well Mr Alexander fell for someone. Hook line and sinker. It was fated from the first but while it
lasted it was wonderful. It was over
before it began and was probably as much a fantasy for him as for her. Nothing ‘happened’. It was entirely platonic,
and they both gradually realised that it wasn’t going to work. But there we
are. It was unexpected and surprising
and it confirmed how impossible it would be for Mr A to have a partner in this travelling
showman’s life. But for a few moments it
was great to dream…
All the best from a road near you,
Mr Alexander
The lorry about to leave Hollowell with bored dogs