Birthday part deux (and the most boring story you will ever hear)

We did this on Friday because we had an extra cake left. Ghin was ten times more himself in this one. Never say that children are born with generous souls.

I have a story to tell about my car. We sent it for servicing on Tuesday. I dropped it off in the morning and the dealer got me a taxi back to the office. He also got me a taxi back to the workshop. I picked up the car, paid the £300 for the service (gasp shock horror i can hear most you all say), was told that it would then cost me another £720 to get the rest of the bits and bobs replaced - like the heater - and then left. It was jammed. Boucher road was packed to the gills and it took me a good 20 minutes to clear the place. As i reached Tates Avenue, for no apparent reason, the battery went dead and i stalled, right in front of the lights on a slope.

Reader, i am proud to say that i did not lose my temper. I did not swear and scream. I did not call the heavens to smite the men at SMW. I simply I called Peter to tell him the car had died and i made sure that he had Ghin collected. Then i called the Volvo garage and told them where i was, very calmly and sweetly. They said they would get there as soon as. Which was a good 20 minutes, of course. Meanwhile i had managed, with the help of gravity to reverse out of the way of traffic and thus was not holding up the rush hour. The men from Volvo then turned up and gave me a second hand, but new and shiny S40 and told me be off with you. They said, we're really sorry. I said, no worries, it's alright and i'll be in touch with you in the morning. I admit i did stop at Tescos from some wine - and have decided that i am not buying any more French wine under £10. Instead i will buy Fair Trade wine, which is must better tasting.

The next day, i called Volvo and was really nice, again. And i was told they were trying to figure out what the problem was, but would call as soon as. As soon as was on Wednesday evening. They told me to leave it till Thursday, when they would fit the heater. On Thursday the part hadn't arrived. They told me to keep the car though - and call in on Friday. I told Andrew, the guy i had been working with that he was a star. On Friday the heater had been fixed by 1030, but they closed at 5.30 and i told them i couldn't make it by then, since i needed to collect the baby. They said, get it in on Saturday.

So we got it at 9.30 am the following morning. It had really worked out for us, since we got a lovely car, with a working heater in the coldest days in January. And when i got there i was told that they would only charge me £167. Are you sure, i asked. Yes, absolutely. I was gobsmacked. I left resolving to write Andrew a nice thank you card. Was this not the most boring story you've ever heard? But i was thrilled.

Peter said that they could get away with it because they had inflated the price. I said, look, i think it has really worked out for us. Anyway, i think the video has been updated now. And i hear Ghin screaming. So i shall go. If you ever thought you life was dull, think again and reflect on this piece of blogging.