Pain, then even more pain

If you read my post Making an old sleeve eye-catching on 5th December, then you will already know that following the write-off of one of my tyres on 29th November, I decided to bring forward the replacement of all four tyres, biting the bullet to the tune of £800-odd. Actually, the cost was a little less in the end: only £779. Planned expenditure, but I didn't expect to incur it so soon. I consoled myself with the thought that my pride and joy would now be well-shod in the tyre department, and that I could face any likely winter weather with confidence. I won't skimp on safety.

But fate decreed that my savings must be clobbered even harder - and very soon afterwards.    

Would you believe it, on 10th December - two days ago - while shopping locally, I pulled off the front end of my car against a car park bollard! I was manoeuvring into a space. The front panel and nearside headlamp were ripped away from their normal positions. This wooden bollard, invisible from the driving seat, was the evil culprit: 

I say 'evil culprit', but of course the blame really lies with me. I knew the thing was there, and yet didn't bother to get out of the car to see exactly how close I was to it. I relied on the bleeps from the front parking sensors. An expensive error to make! 

How I cringed as I heard that rending noise. I felt sick when I surveyed the astonishing extent of the damage done from just a scrape. I hope you can bear to see a few pictures.

Ghastly! The headlamp seating had been broken, and the entire unit was now of course pulled forward and out of alignment. I might get away with using Fiona during daylight, but clearly not after dark. None of the wiring had been affected, so all lights still worked. In fact the only thing not still working was the nearside headlamp washer, as the connecting hose had been pulled away. But urgent action was now needed to get Fiona fixed. 

I did my food shopping at Waitrose, then drove home and consulted Jackie and Kevin next door, who know all the best local traders. They pointed me in the direction of a bodywork specialist they knew, and there I went. Before midday, I'd discussed what could be done, when, and for what kind of price. As promised, I had a written estimate by email by the end of the day. The cost was realistic and acceptable, but I slept on it, then next morning went out there again to clear up one or two points and give the go-ahead. The super-expensive Volvo parts will have to be ordered in, but the first week in January will see my beloved but hard-working car restored to her normal splendour. Meanwhile I can drive Fiona over the Christmas and New Year periods, and while she's in the body shop I'll be given a 'small automatic Mercedes' (an A-Class?) to use. The repair cost will be £2,325 though. Yes, ouch! 

I could have made it an insurance job, and limit my immediate costs to the £300 damage excess on my motor policy. But then everything would be out of my hands, and I'd be left carless while the repair process - possibly not a quick one - droned on. And really I'd rather raid my savings than make a claim on my policy, spoiling an unblemished claims record in recent years, and being dogged by much higher insurance premiums for several years ahead. All considered, it seemed better to fund the repair cost myself, and get all the financial pain out of the way in one go.

So it's £779 for new tyres, and another £2,325 for self-inflicted bodywork and headlamp damage - £3,104 altogether. 

My savings plan has taken a big jolt. I'm now months behind where I planned to be. 

Not only that. My expenditure plans in 2022 will have to be drastically trimmed. The Scottish Tour in the caravan, which I had set my heart on, will probably be a casualty. And I definitely can't indulge myself with a couple of nights away in a posh country hotel, as a 70th birthday treat. Sigh.

It crossed my mind to sell something of value, to recoup a bit of that £3,104. But the only thing of value I could put onto eBay was my latest camera, Lili, my used Leica X-U that cost me £1,749 last August. I might clear £1,000 or a little more from selling her online. But Lili is great to use, gives me excellent results, and has amply proved her worth. We've bonded. I simply don't want to part with her. 

It also crossed my mind that those car park bollards are a hazard, and I might have a legal claim against whoever runs the car park. But then I'd first have to establish who actually owns it  - it isn't Waitrose, and seems not to be the local Council. Then pay for legal advice and assistance, formulate the basis of a claim - would that be so straightforward? - and endure the protracted aggro of going to court. I don't think it would do my blood pressure any good at all, and I doubt whether, after legal costs, much would be left of whatever compensation I'd be awarded. Legal aid? Forget it. 

So it's a bad end to 2021, and a poor outlook for 2022. And mostly down to an unskilful bit of parking. I must do better then this in the future.