The Ham Nomads

7 Nov 2014. <GB-ENG> Farthinghowe, S Northnts —

Got started late, with the alternator belt squeaking! Didn't get far — the belt snapped, and took the power steering belt with it. We were able to pull in to a tyre dealer in the village of Farthinghoe — not much here — a church, a primary school, the aforesaid tyre dealer, a village hall and an inn, and of course some houses, and that's it! No shops! Called RAC, who said they would be there in about 3 hours. They lied — he got there at 11:55, only an hour after we called. Brilliant! He looked at the situation, and said he would try to get a wider belt for the alternator, saying that the 10mm belts we had been using were only asking for trouble. It took him a while, but he finally came back with a selection of 13mm belts, one of which did the job perfectly. With great thanks to the RAC man, we were again on our way. But where to? The day was getting late again, and it was raining! We decided to return to the McDonald's at Alcester, well known to us, and then to adjourn to the layby a couple of miles down the road towards Stratford-upon-Avon. And so we did!

Distance driven — today, 17 miles ( 27 km ); to date, 9,684 miles ( 15,585 km )