18th April 25. Day off? Nope

Today was supposed to be part of a long weekend, after all. It is Easter, if we are allowed to call it this still. Ok Spring break! Got to love our Americanisation of everything. My Microsoft calendar says Easter..so if it's good enough for Bill Gates it's fine with me. Happy Easter

As yesterday's dealership cock up, meant I agreed to deliver the Ford Mustang, collected yesterday. It couldn't have been a better day to do it.

The Good Friday traffic, or lack of it meant the early morning drive was done, not only in brilliant sunshine. But clear motorways and A roads too. This actually gave me a false sense of security as you will find out.

But the condition's meant I actually enjoyed the drive in the same car I slated yesterday.

None of the cars bad points, and there are many.

Bothered me. I simply hit 65 cruising speed and relaxed. I suppose this is what American driving is all about. And these cars being the 60s icon they were.

Are now bought by middle aged to older males. Grey hair and perfect teeth being a perfect car for a retired dentist. But in this case a careful, retired dentist. It being the four cylinder 2.3 engine. Which while giving a very good output for a Four cylinder of 310 BHP. Really doesn't feel like that at all. So the 5.0V8 at 460BHP isn't a great step up especially given the extra weight of the V8. I've never driven one. Or wanted to. I just know. Driving this version it's not going to improve much. Really, with that power. This smaller engined car should be better. Less weight on the front, should help the steering. So either they left it as it was with the bigger engine. And fitted the lighter one and didn't change the suspension set up. Or , as I haven't driven the five litre car. Changed it and made it horrible . Probably the same level of horrible in both.

But I drove it happily to Portsmouth and found the customer's house very easily. The second time. The male of the house was now present

Ford Mustang 2.3 310 BHP. Apparently

He came out looking exactly as I suspected yesterday. Failed drug dealer.

He complained bitterly about the service from the dealership he had paid probably £20k for this car. I simply nodded and semi agreed. But not backing him up at all. Got my prize. The signature on my appraisal and walked back to Fratton station.

Now

This next part is the embarrassing part of this job. One which, thankfully doesn't happen often as I thought it would. Me being a male of a certain age. You know what's coming right?

Bladder issues.

The drive here was about 2 hours. No problem normally. I arrived at the customer house and as you remember it wasn't the most inviting of premises. So asking to use the toilet wasn't going to happen. By the time I had done my appraisal, listened to the ranting of the customer and exchanged pleasantarys . I was in pain. Urgent relief needed.

This was a huge row of terraced houses. Nothing and nowhere to go.

Frattons terraced houses

The station was a 25 minutes walk so I headed quickly for that. Looking around for any opportunity to relieve the agony. Now this isn't normal for me. Yet. But I was getting a taste of things to come maybe.

I turned the corner for the station and there was a bunch of trees. Not much coverage. But desperate times need you know what.

I dived in . It was around 9.30am on Good Friday morning. Not many people about. Oh the relief.

Until on the other side of the road walked a youngish female. Giving me the dirtiest of looks. I suppose it was rather close to the station. I didn't know this at the time.

Too late. Crack on.

I finished. Washed my hand with the wet wipes I keep in my rucksack. And got to the station in about 25 seconds.

Only to see this witch of a female glaring at me and pointing, with her witchy eyes to the gents toilet in the station concourse.

She obviously didn't realise that I didn't have that 25 seconds to spare. Would've been impossible.

So onto the next London bound train to start my journey home . Straightforward train from here to London Waterloo. I thought. So this is where the Easter holiday traffic kicked in.

The train to London was busy and just got more and more packed with people going wherever for the weekend. As the time got later from the 10am departure. The people got louder and the sound of the cans opening got more frequent. This is one reason to avoid weekend working. Especially during the football season.

By the time the train got into Waterloo. It was packed like sardines.

Unfortunately I stupidly got onto the rear of the train. This meant a longer walk to the barrier. Zigzagging my way past young drinkers and the older people who always seem to be the ones at the train door waiting for it to stop. Then take an age to get off then stand there blocking the platform. Wondering why they are in London.

Listen, if these people need help I'm first to offer, really. But what happens to people that when they get to a checkout. When told how much their shopping is. Only the

Underground to Marylebone and on to Aylesbury

Fratton station to Aylesbury

A well earned three days off.

Happy Easter 🐣