Wick – Moss Variation: Week 6, 31 August

This past week as been much as usual, with only a few stand-out events.  On the Monday, I took the bus down to Inverness.  The journey itself was notable only because it was the driver’s first run of the route.  Another driver was there to show him the ropes: ‘go to the end and turn right’, ‘the stop’s just there’, and ‘stop driving like a tourist’.  This last comment is completely understandable as the road often follows the coast.

The purpose of the trip to Inverness was to retrieve the car from the dealership.  The saga of my holiday didn’t stop when I returned, because the 12V battery in the car had completely discharged.  This meant I couldn’t charge it, start it, or even open the doors.  I called out the local RAC agent, who came to look at it.  He got the door open with the manual key, which I hadn’t managed. I’d been turning it the wrong way.  He was also able to jump start the car.  However, as neither of us knew enough about EVs, we didn’t run it for any length of time.  He went on his way because the car was running, but the battery was soon flat again. 

Pondering what to do, I eventually phoned the RAC again.  They said that they couldn’t come out for the same problem without charging a fee, but they could recover the car to a location of my choice.  I considered that too, and decided that it if went back to the dealership they could inspect and fix it.  Accordingly, the recovery chaps put the car on a flatbed and down to Inverness a day or so later.  There it sat for about a week.

Drippy clematis

The dealership was puzzled that the battery had completely discharged over the two weeks I was away.  They determined that I needed a new 12V battery, which was supplied under warranty.  They gave the car the all clear on the Friday afternoon. 

Last Wednesday, I had a regular visit with the practice nurse.  She winkled out two of the bright blue stitches and said there were a couple to go.  I still need to keep the area covered with either a hat or scarf when I’m not at home.  I’ve opted for a scarf.  It’s not great, but it’s better than the head-encircling bandage.

Damp rosebuds

Orchestra has started again, and I went along on Wednesday evening.  They’d first met the week previous, but without a car I hadn’t been able to go.  The next concert will have a vaguely sports theme, with some movie themes thrown in.  I am very out of practice and could only play a few bleaty notes.

With the gansey, I have reached the target I set for myself last week, and have started the yoke and gussets.  It’s difficult to see in the photo, but there are three purl rows at the top.  These are the first of three purl ridges each separated by three knit rows.  The cheerful, red-handled shears are standing in for the blocking wire.