With my yearly photography trip not many weeks away, I’ve been wondering if my little car will be up to the long drive to North Wales. I have a Smart car that has now done over 62,000 miles. Quite a lot for such a small engine, but she’s still going strong. I bought her seven years ago after taking early retirement from work and until last year, I had no problems at all. Then she broke down twice in a matter of weeks.
The first time was at our farm vet surgery, as I dropped off samples from our llamas and goats for a worm count. I made it to the surgery, parked up, but on trying to leave, I couldn’t engage first gear. The clutch had gone. I called the AA, but had to wait in the hot car park for about three hours. Also, with the pandemic in full swing once again, I was informed I had to make my own way home. Thankfully, the vet staff agreed to hold my keys until the recovery vehicle arrived and my husband picked me up in his car. The repair, whilst not cheap, was at least quick and I was back on the road within a few days.
Some weeks later (and one year ago tomorrow), I decided to pay a visit to Oare marshes with my macro lens. I used to go there for birds, but thought there may be plenty of bugs in the meadows. I was right and after a few hours wandering around, I had quite a few images to take home. I packed my gear in my car, turned round and started heading slowly back up the dusty track, when I heard the familar sound of a flat tyre. Calling the AA once again, I was grateful they were able to pinpoint my location, as I didn’t know the name of the road. As I settled down on a nearby bench for what I assumed was a long wait, I couldn’t help but think there weren’t many nicer places to break down.
As it turned out, the nearest mechanic was just up the road in the local supermarket and he pulled up in about ten minutes. He was able to make a temporary repair to my tyre and I got home under my own steam.
The image featured at the top is a small copper butterfly. Below are photographs of a dragonfly with the late afternoon sun shining on its wings and a pink form of a female blue-tailed damselfly.
Steve Cullum
27 Jul 2022You do undertake some lovely trips out and your photographs show the results of this. Shame about your car problems, but I’m sure that she will be OK for another long drive 🙂
Zooey
27 Jul 2022Cheers Steve! I had another lovely trip today to White Hill butterfly reserve. Not many bugs, but I had a lot of fun with those I did find. The car is still going strong. (I hope you are getting on with your new camera) 🙂
Sid
28 Jul 2022Old-crate-adventures seem to be our peculiarity: I have a 16-year-old-car always in need of attention and good words to move 🙂
Awesome photos! I do adore the first one: that butterfly is fantastic <3
Ciao
Sid
Zooey
28 Jul 2022I love my little car. In spite of the small size, I was able to fit in everything for an 8-day trip up to Scotland and back 🙂