My first choice was booked up (my fault - I kept forgetting to book) so I decided to have a look for alternatives. (Yes, I know that Liz and Ed will be spending the weekend doing loads of amazing places, but that is in the city where you can find lots of things close together - in Lincolnshire there are big distances to cover and my original choice was a guided tour Harlaxton Manor/College two hours drive away.) My back's still not better so I look for somewhere that doesn't involve a long drive to get there or a lot of walking once I'm there. I also decide that I won't go out until the afternoon.
So, I make my choice, go out to the car, find a flat tyre (horse-shoe nail - you don't get those in the city either). Jacob tries to change it, but finds that the lock nut has been broken. We think that when I last had a new tyre somebody over-tightened instead of loosening. So Jacob goes to ask his cousin to help. Cousin has friends with him who work at a local garage - they have the tools. I now have six men all trying to change my wheel. They succeed at last although it is now fastened on with substitute nuts. It is now after 3.00 and it is clear that we are going nowhere today.
My car has one of those irritating 'get you home' spare wheels instead of a proper full-strength wheel. I phone a couple of garages but they are closed. It is now clear that I'm not going to get my new wheel until Monday, and that we are going nowhere tomorrow.
As it is I shall have to beg a lift or borrow a car to get to church. So Book of Common Prayer in Croxby's little Saxon church followed by lunch in my just pre-Victorian cottage will have to do for this weekend's heritage.
Thank you to people who have asked after him: Uncle Frans is still on ITU, but he is a little better and breathing for himself.
