Car trouble

Now that I'm back in Banchory, I had to get my car seen to, so I took it along to Caldwell & Dempster on Monday morning - with the bike in the back so I could leave it there and cycle home. I joined the other guys for the Monday afternoon cycle - to Torphins - then cycled back to pick up my car and get an update on what was wrong with it.

It seems they couldn't detect anything wrong - either when plugging in to the computer or when taking it on a test drive to Crathes and back. I was assured it was OK to drive the car so we took it to Inverurie yesterday to test it. It was fine for the first 10 miles or so, but then the traction control lights started flashing on and off again. I disabled this facility but soon the warning light was flashing again and by the time we got to Luca's school, the car was barely driveable. The rear nearside wheel was red hot.

We found a small garage - Harlaw - not far from Gary and Carole's and they said it was probably a brake caliper sticking. Half an hour later it was fixed. That'll be £20, sir - bargain!

We drove home later in the evening and again things were fine for the first 10-12 miles then it started all over again. We limped home and now this morning (Wednesday), we're about to take it back to Caldwell & Dempster for another look.

Got to pick up my monthly drugs order from the pharmacy too. I saw our Doctor on Monday and we agreed that my one month trial with Rivaroxaban should be extended by another two months. It's been generally OK so far, although I've noticed more episodes of light-headedness recently. You know that feeling when you get up too quickly? - well, some of you may do - that's what I've been getting. If the frequency becomes too much, then we'll have to think again at Christmas. It has to be something stronger than baby aspirin - possibly Warfarin again? The problem with that is that it needs so much monitoring - not easy when we're travelling so much - but at least there is a known antidote. Much thinking to be done.

The other big issue this week is our boiler. It's about 12 years old and approaching the end of its normal life - although it's got a few years yet. A new combi condensing boiler would undoubtedly be more efficient, but when to do this? We signed a contract and paid a deposit with Penicuik, but they blotted their copybook when they came to install it and we took a step back and saw Scottish Gas on Monday.

Our preference would be to go with Scottish Gas, but what premium is OK to pay? Penicuik were £3.5K but Scottish Gas is £5K - quite a difference. We need time to think.

Today our thoughts are with Carole. She has finally - and very reluctantly - taken the tough decision with Isis and the deed will be done this afternoon. The poor dog is suffering from so many ailments now and is over 100 years old in human terms.