We just wanted to be out and about in the little car, doing some sightseeing, on the first afternoon that we finished early, we were on our way to Killin, and had to go through Glen Ogle, on a road that we had been on when going to Oban by bus, but at Lix Toll the road made a split, the one going to Oban and Fort William, the other one to Killin. We had to get petrol at Lix Toll, and it was such a novelty for me as a South African to put in my own petrol, as at home we have petrol attendants who also check your oil and water, and even clean your windscreen. It was very wet, and cold, and of course I had to do all this, and even put air in the tyres myself, but had to first get somebody from the garage to show me how! Phew!
We had a lovely lunch, then walked around a bit, and visited the pound shop, famous for selling some good stuff, all for just a pound. There was also a huge antique shop, with some beautiful stuff, but of course above our touch, and not even Anna's best eyeflutterring, and toothy smile could keep the owner's interest after he realised that we were penniless!
It was raining very hard on our way back, and I was driving quite slow, when suddenly the road disappeared, and all I could see was a rainwashed windscreen. As it was a dangerous piece of road, I did some heavy breaking, and on closer inspection found that the windscreen wiper had come off. We were aghast, as the rain did not look to abate for a long time, and we had to work at six. I decided that the wiper could not be far away, as I was going slowly, and had stopped immediately, so I told Anna that as I was driving, she could at least get out and look for the thing. None of us had raincoats, as it was quite dry when we left the hotel, and Anna looked at me now as if I had asked her to commit a heinous crime, her black -lined eyes so full of unbelieve that I burst out laughing.
But this time I was adamant, and decided that I would also get out, but Anna was going to do her part too for a change, but she told me bluntly to shod my stupidity, and drive on looking through the opened window! Like hell I was! Not over that dangerous pass!
So, after thinking about my suggestion that we either walk home, hoping for a lift, as there were not many cars on the road, or find the wiper, she gingerly got out of the car, and so did I, but after some searching we realised that the thing must have flown a bitty further than first thought. Along the road a small stream was running, its banks quite muddy, and it was surrounded by thick bushes and a lot of Brambles with the most awful thorns. Anna went beserk when I told her that we would have to cross the stream as I was sure the wiper must have landed somewhere in the bushes. She refused point blanc, wailing that she was wearing her new boots, and why did it need two people to have a look, but darn it, I also had on a pair of good shoes! It was getting a bit dark by now, and I said flatly that we would have to sleep in the car, trying to scare her, and looking around fearfully, she started for the stream. It was hellish, the brambles so thick you had to squeeze through, and our hands were bleeding by the time we got through. And sure as heck, there, complete like a bally Xmas decoration was the wiper, hanging in a bramble bush loaded with ripe and succulant berries. After a good old struggle we managed to fit the wiper back on, and hoping that it would last at least till after the pass, we set forth again, at a bally snail's pace. It took a long time getting back to the hotel, the wiper flying off every few kilos, the wind so strong it took it some distance every time, and it was two bedraggled and mud covered women who tried to sneak into the hotel, Anna taking vow after vow never to go out in that car again, but I just smiled! I had at last managed to win one battle against her, even if it was a small battle!