We are very fortunate to own an old VW camper van. It is fun, funny, and quirky.  I often say that it is like driving in a parade float.  People smile at it or point and children wave.  One of the joys of having an older vehicle is that sometimes bits of it wear out, or choose not to work, or maybe get a little bit grumpy.

Not too many years ago I had a bad run of luck with our vehicles. I had a crash with our daily driver, which, although it got us home that day, was written off. The new to us replacement vehicle, for the first many weeks we owned it, the engine light came on every time I drove it.  We would take it to the mechanic, he would check it over, reset everything, my lovely husband would drive it, all would be good, then I would get in and part way to my destination the engine light would come on, and we would start the whole process over again.  The final event that convinced me that I was cursed was when the VW’s starter motor decided to die spectacularly under my supervision.

Fast forward to today…running late, needing to get to work, only have the VW for transportation, the van takes a bit of time to get ready… start it up (lovely happy motor putt-putt sounds), shift it in to gear, do the gentle clutch to gas foot balance, pull out onto the road, about 10 metres down the road, it decelerates, oil light comes on and it stalls… When it stops forward movement and stalls for the third time and I haven’t made it out of my neighbourhood, I decide I am doomed, I limp the vehicle home.  I, at that point, am in full blown ‘Oh my god, I am going to be late!’ panic, and learn how to bus to work on the fly.  When I get home I tell my husband my woes, the how’s, and when’s.  He gets in the van, starts it, sits in it for a bit, and drives away…