We’ve had more than our fair share of car accident dramas this past month. (Three to be exact…)
For those who have read my very early posts, or know our family in the real life, you will be familiar with our family car, affectionately known as Barney the Blue Beast.
Unfortunately, the most recent prang happened last Saturday and has left him having a much needed respite at the car wreckers.
Anywho.
Even before the weekend’s dilemma, last Thursday saw its lead up.
You see, Barney runs on LPG. But his petrol gauge is doing all sorts of funky stuff these days.
When we fill it up, the empty gas alarm automatically lights up. Surprisingly, when it’s running on empty, it tells me that I have 384 kilometres of gas left.
Go figure.
Taking the boys to daycare, the gauge told me I had 257 kilometres to go. In whacky Barney language, I quickly calculated that I was close to being in danger, but could definitely make the 10 kilometres to my destination.
I was half way there, ready to go at the green lights at the bottom of a hill, when Barney started chugging like a sick train.
Great.
Panicking and shaking, I looked at the rear vision mirror to see that I had an endless sea of peak hour traffic behind me. And the hill was just getting steeper.
The twinlets were oblivious to what was going on, which was a huge surprise because my parenting skills were thrown out the window as I was shouting all sorts of profanities.
Cars sped past me (no obscene honking, thank goodness) and I needed to just make it to the next turn off onto flatter road.
I eventually managed to pull over. It was only pure luck that Mr Surfer, who was still at home, picked up my call.
When he finally arrived, Mr Surfer took over the wheel. And there was the four of us; in this bright blue beaten up Ford Falcon that was just on the borderline to conk out on us for once and for all.
We still had a kilometre to the nearest petrol station. As Mr Surfer drove, both our heads started jerking back and forth in time to Barney’s coughing and spluttering and I just started to laugh. In fact, it was a belly laugh.
It must’ve been contagious because Mr Surfer, despite trying to concentrate on the road and letting irate drivers pass us by, started to have a chortle. Then, the boys caught onto it. They were totally beside themselves, happily sitting in their car seats, completely in sync to Barney’s spasmodic movements.
Next thing I knew, we were having a family crack-up.
Having a water fight...with Barney in the background
You know, for all his faults, Barney is truly one awesome, loyal beast of burden.
He almost made the entire last leg, only to finally call it quits just as we were going to turn into the petrol station.
While trading places for the wheel, Mr Surfer had to get out and push him for about 10 metres to the blessed gas tank.
Hey, at least we eventually got there.
Poor Barney. We have treated him like crap over the years and last Saturday’s accident (Sorry, details are still too raw), did a real number on him. But you know, he kept us all safe.
Hopefully he’ll come out of the repairer’s in better shape. I’m not ready to have him leave our family just yet.
Oh no, poor Barney! Could have been worse, he could have had brakes like my first car – when stopped on a hill I could press them as hard as I liked, but they were really only for slowing down, NOT holding my car still on an incline. I would have rolled down that hill very slowly backwards!
Michelle recently posted..The divorce that wasn’t – and how it broke my daughter
OMG !!! Failing brakes AND an empty gas tank !!! That would be my worse nightmare !
You paint a hilarious scene, Ms Grace. So good to see the lighter side, isn’t it? It’s amazing how tough some cars are. I hope he comes back good as new!… and also sorry about the car accident(s). Very scary.
Deb @ Bright & Precious recently posted..I’m Sorry
Thanks, Deb. I thought I’d share this one rather than the yucky, nasty incidents…(so many to choose from !;)) I really miss Barney, to tell you the truth. I hope he comes back okay. (And hopefully, we’ll all treat him better…)
Hi Grace, sounds like a horrible situation being stuck in peak hour with Barney, love your car’s name! What a great picture of the boys with Barney….laughing is the best! So good to hear that after the whole ordeal (when you were almost at the station) you could as a family have a good laugh!!! I would have been crying I am sure, you are strong and your boys will love this story told to them again when they are older! I hope Barney has a quick recovery from the repairer and that you and your precious family stay safe. xJess
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Thanks, Jess ! I was so terrified throughout the whole thing ! My biggest nightmare had been having a car drama alone with the twins. Well, now I can check that off and say I survived it. Fingers crossed it won’t happen again though 🙂
I’m glad you are all ok… the headline had me a bit worried!
Tat recently posted..Grateful for martenitsi
Thanks, Tat. Sorry…didn’t mean to get you worried 😉
Poor Barney, but what a giggle it was to read his story.
I had a car like that. My university car. A white Mazda 626 with cow print seat covers (My uni was at Gatton – a country town). My little mooover was so awesome. It never let me down and came through my life where I grew from a girl to a woman.
So sorry there was another car incident. I hope you’re all okay. Thinking of you.
penny @ Wildlife Fun 4 Kids recently posted..Wildlife Footprint Fun in Five Ways
Oooh, Mazda 626 with cowprint seats ! Fancy, Penny-licious ! 🙂
We’re all safe and fine (thank goodness).
I miss you !
Bad luck comes in threes, I dont know why but when I drove my car into someone else I then had a flat the next day (unrelated) and had to get the break down people out the day after (unrelated) I can tell you that since you have now had your 3 the bad luck is over!
I hope the whole precess was not too traumatic!
Marian recently posted..New driver insurance
You know, after Mr Surfer had his 2nd accident, I was thinking about that whole bad luck comes in threes…but kept it quiet. Maybe I should’ve said something to break the curse 😉
The whole process wasn’t too bad. Just glad we’re all safe now.
Barney language huh? I now feel obliged to name my car 🙂
Statistically speaking, you can now be confident that your days of car troubles and accidents are now firmly behind you….forever!
kirri recently posted..A short guide to achieving life balance
Here’s hoping, Kirri! Here’s hoping 🙂
Did you ever watch that show The Wonder Years? There was an episode where the Dad was all jammed up about getting rid of the family car. The memories, the history. I love it.
As my Dad would say, drive it till the wheels fall off. If only to keep this awesome memory alive:)
Bridget recently posted..Monday Listicles
You had me worried for a minute there Grace-ie. Glad it ended in giggles and laughters! The twinlets are soooooo cute! It is a very good capture you got there, eyes closed, big smiles!
ava recently posted..Things I’m Rubbish At
oh no poor barney! For some reason I keep thinking of purple guy doings lots of hugs 😛
Grace – can’t help but giggle at the last picture 🙂 puts a smile on my face.
Haha, Julie ! I think you got the wrong Barney 🙂