Bedrock

Today was to be a fairly eventless day, just a spot of grocery shopping in our nearest big town of Baza. And that’s how it started. After a half-hour trip to town I was about to stop at Lidl supermarket when a helpful Spanish driver signalled to tell me something was wrong. About the only word I picked up was pinctura which I took to mean paint.

I thanked him and proceeded to the car park. Knowing there are some scuffs on the rear bumper I decided to take a look. I peered down and happened to notice the rear wheel – utterly and completely flat. Thank heavens for Google Maps – I found a Euro Repair Centre within half a mile or so and carefully drove off, knowing the Spanish shops etc. were due to close in an hour – what timing.

When I arrived at the centre, a helpful technician took the wheel off and demonstrated the state of the tyre by showing the big clump of black soot inside and the large screw pierced straight through the middle. I could see for myself this must’ve happened earlier in the day without me noticing it – unless it had been a slow leak in which case it could have been even longer – the weather yesterday was dire. The damage to the tyre edge was severe and he was right to state it was a dud. AS is often the case, he strongly recommended that I should fit two tyres and keep the one working unit as a spare. I’m not sure how it was that I had no spare – probably lack of room in my little Renault Cleo. Got one now!

And there she is, legless on the ramp…

30 minutes later I was back on the road and 180 Euros worse off.

I did my day’s shopping firstly at the local Chinese hardware store then Lidl (somewhat amusing display) and headed back home, taking a wrong turn on the way out of town – this is how you discover new things..

I didn’t know that building below existed and still no idea what “La Dehesa is” – no doubt I’ll find out next time around.

On the way I was stopped by the local guardia – just a spot check – nothing onerous… that is until they asked me for my license only to discover it lapsed a few days ago.

They were very nice about it and told me all I had to do was visit the local “Polyclinica” to sort it out in an hour.

The bits they missed out were getting and taking various documents one of which can only be obtained from the local town hall – and they are now closed for 4 days for holidays and weekend. You have to wonder how important offices can just close for 4 days and be damned.

That gives me a few days to get over the shock – thankfully I don’t need to go anywhere – If I’d had to do an airport run I’d be in severe difficulty.

Still, could have been worse – no natural disasters up to now and the roads were very quiet today. No inner city traffic jams here.

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