Glow-plugs go ga-ga.

Harold phones:- 'You know you're steering tomorrow?'

Me:- 'Am I? I don't think so!'

Harold :- 'Right, forget I phoned--see you anon.'

 

There was a bit more to our exchange but that is the nub of it.

Ten minutes later, Tim phones me. He apologised but mistakenly thought he'd booked my services - could I in fact steer tomorrow?

'No problem,' I said.    Something should have warned me that this was going to be an unusual day. I was sure that the group quoted [Honeycroft] were due on the 30th not the 23rd of August. This was where I was wrong because it's Hillside on the 30th.

Consequently, as I pulled up at H.N.A. I was convinced that it would be a case of hanging around for an hour then going home when no-one showed up!

 

To show willing, I opened up Spirit just as Harold arrived---closely followed by a minibus. Strangely though, the minibus merely turned round on our forecourt and went away again!

Very quickly a second minibus arrived and proceeded to unload its passengers. I recognised both the carers and my mistake simultaneously. Whilst Barbara oversaw her charges descending from the bus I attempted to get Spirit fired up and that's when the ordure struck the rotating air conditioner, as they say in polite company!  Plenty of white smoke and lots of noise but the engine resolutely refused to burst into life.  In the four years I've been steering for H.N.A. I can't recall a previous occasion where this had happened to Spirit. {It had happened to Star--see 'Harold to the rescue' elsewhere in the jottings} This time Harold was on hand and as puzzled as me. I spotted a boat emerging from Coppermill Lock and gestured for him to come to our assistance as the starter motor was slowing down. Dave, on ' Past Caring' duly came alongside and, coupled up via jump leads, enabled us to keep turning Spirit's motor over--if only she would fire up.

 

Meanwhile, the expectant group were all offloaded from their minibus and were patiently waiting to board Spirit and start their day trip.  The bench that the occasional walker might occupy for a few minutes or so, situated at the top of our steps, was lost beneath a sea of people and wheelchairs. They seemed to be enjoying our efforts, though! I thought they might not be so happy if the trip didn't take place. Various batteries had been tried to no avail, Dave suggested a hair dryer to warm the glow plugs as it sounded like they had not received a charge despite the ignition system whistling  like a banshee each time I turned the key.

Harold was not to be defeated----after all---he is the Maintenance Engineer! Eventually, through diligent manipulation, Spirit realised that she was up against the master and roared into life, enveloping Dave in a thick,black cloud of smoke. A ragged cheer went up from our 'captive audience'  as Dave untied 'Past Caring' from Spirit and jump leads were rolled up and put away.

 

Without more ado, my passengers were loaded and we were off northwards where Dave and his boat became our lock buddies for the next two partial ascents of the Chiltern escarpment.

 

A fine trip ensued and at the end of the day when all was quiet once more, Harold clambered into the engine hole and diagnosed a faulty relay which in turn had prevented the glow plugs from doing their work. As I write this piece Harold is even now obtaining a new relay and will fit it poste haste.

Editors Note: Harold finally diagnosed the fault as a detached and damaged negative lead between the relay and the batteries. An hour later, the fault was remedied - 

Thanks to Harold.