Machine Says No

This was my old, much loved, Fiat Multipla which we only got rid of when the MOT recommendations covered two pages.

From Facebook Archive

26 August 2016 at 18:48

OK Hive mind here's one.   

Because I was poorly I didn't use the car for almost a fortnight.    

Then on Wednesday I went to start the car to go to Tesco and the battery was flat.   

Got AA Homestart.   

The man started it and told me to run the engine for at least half an hour.  

So Thunderthighs and I had a drive via the long picturesque route to the coast and from New Hartley down to the Spanish Battery (quick stop for an ice-cream) then back to Norham Rd Tesco.

Yesterday drove Thunderthighs down to Newcastle College for his results (slightly better than last year) and it started fine.   

Noon today I wanted to take Ferretfingers to the Community Centre to water the allotment.  

Car wouldn't start and gave every appearance of having a flat battery again.   

Too pissed off to get the AA out again, may do so tomorrow.   

Himself thinks it might be the altenator.  

Any opinions ....?

The Squireen  How old is the battery?  It may just need replacing

Sandy  What the Squireen says; batteries only used to last a couple of years.  

Nowadays you might get 5 or more years but even with regular use they'll give up eventually.  Get an old Land Rover then you can hand crank them to start 😊

Ms VM  If it's the alternator then there could be other signs too.  Lights dimming etc.  

I suspect it needs a new battery and would go down that route first.  Good luck. xxxx

Ms DeLune Agree new battery more likely, and cheaper!

Tylebach Dead battery cell or alternator xxx  (Brought up with boys😉)

Tylebach Mawr Battery might not be holding charge - if it was alternator you probably wouldn't have got home after your run out as the alternator recharges battery - cars can't go very far on battery - it takes a big chunk of battery to start a car...

Bentonbag Thanks all - I shall head up to Kwikfit tomorrow and see what the lads up there say - 5 minute walk.

Bazoukiboy  Battery check first.  Might be just one cell that's dicky.  Alternator just also a good bet...if it's not working well might not be charging battery...or both

Bentonbag  And the good news is.   

I rang AA homestart and the same man turned up as on Wednesday. 

"I was dubious about that battery then" he says "but the machine said it was ok and I have to do what the machine says.  But now it says it's dead and as you're a gold card member I can replace it now for £35."   

Which he did.   

It should last 4 years.

 

Harvesting Filming Normality

From Facebook Archives

25 August 2009 at 08:59

Have just picked my crab apples - very early this year.*

25 August 2010 at 21:49

Have not only just discovered I can take and download movies on my camera (only had it since Xmas 2008) but have also downloaded it onto facebook.   

Is there no holding this woman???

25 August 2016 at 15:28

A few months ago we were given a potato and a growing bucket by the Community Centre where Ferretfingers does his allotment gardening.

The idea was to take it back to the Summer Fair and get them weighed; but my chest infection stopped that.

Anyway today we harvested 1.5lb of interesting looking spuds.

25 August 2022 at 10.03

Another small sign of returning normality.  

Ferretfingers and Emil are going out on the bus today.  

Since lockdown they've usually used Emil’s car to avoid people and their germs.   

But it's increasingly expensive and Ferretfingers does need to walk a bit more.  

So today it's Killingworth for swimming, then back to Byker library.

*This year apples have been falling off for the past month at least.

 

 

Season's Change?

For many years at least one, and more often both, of the cats has shared the bed with us.

But since the beginning of the heatwaves they have chosen to stay out of the bedroom.

This may have something to do with Fester throwing Teddy at my head and then closing the bedroom door, shutting him out, when he was getting particularly rumbunctious one hot midsummer night.

In fact I don’t think I’ve even seen either of them upstairs for weeks.

Not even on the windowsills surveying the surroundings.

I must admit I’ve slept better not having to negotiate lying around sleeping cats, trying to stop Felix from lying on my face, having one hurled at me with expletives in the wee small hours, or being disturbed by the expletives being hurled at the cat.

However...

At 06.45 this morning I was awoken by a raucous “Mrrraww”.

Opened my eyes to discover Felix standing on my pillow.

As I write he is curled up on Fester’s beard.

Something tells me Autumn is coming.

 

Cold Caller Baiting #36 What Register?

From Facebook Archives

23 August 2024 at 20.07

Yesterday afternoon the phone rang, I picked up, there was a satellite delay, then a slightly Asian male voice asked 

"Am I speaking to Miss Benton Bag?"

"Who are you?"

"I am Derek Saunders and I'm calling you from Microsoft about the computer registered to your address."

"And where are you calling from?"

"I am calling you from Microsoft offices."

"And where are they?"

"Microsoft head office at 100 Thames Valley Park Reading."

"What's the weather like in Reading today?"

"It's a bit cloudy. I am calling you about the computer registered to B Bag at Chateau Midden, Barony Arbour, Tyneside. "

"What do you mean registered?"

"Every computer that is sold is registered ma'am."

"Registered by whom?  I've never registered a computer.  Who organises and holds this register?  Are you telling me every computer retailer registers every computer they sell?"

"It might not have been registered by the retailer.  It might have been registered by your husband."

"What makes you think I have a husband?"

And there he was gone.

I'd love to know whether his mother calls him Derek.

Miss Drew  Love your stories Ben

Mrs Bauer Well done, Ben.

Anita Too  Brilliant x x

Dicky Brown  How I wish I could just answer ‘Hold on while I put you through to Ben.’