Breakdown

Today's lesson: when the red battery warning light comes on, don't drive the car (even though you need to do that to get it to the people who will repair it.) Almost five hours of faffing around later, the car is now next to the dealers, who promised to be open at 7pm but weren't. I'll deal with them tomorrow.

Honourable mentions today to the two chaps who gave me a tow from a motorway exit roundabout to a safe layby; to the manager of a bingo hall who allowed me to park my now immobile car; to the most helpful and cheerful AA man and to the Enterprise Car Hire people.