A stitch in time

I had noticed way back in October that the car battery was looking a little on the old side - the car is 10 years old, so it's probably the same age. As always, I put changing it on the long finger, since it seemed to work fine. On Wednesday however, in -27 C, the car utterly refused to start. This was a combination of two things, both my own fault - aforementioned battery, and the fact that the mains powered engine prewarming system had a connection problem, and hence the engine turned over, but v slowly, and the battery died. Having sorted the heating problem, and even with a jump start from another battery, it still was extremely unwilling to do much. Next step was to take out the plugs - black and rather sordid looking. A quick trip to AD - the 'Halfords' of Finland, and a cry of agony as the credit card bore the brunt of a new battery and plugs, and another scream of pain as cold hands met even colder engine block and tools, and up she fired. Unfortunately the young violinist had been very much looking forward to a fancy-dress party that morning in nursery, and was bitterly disappointed. Quick thinking meant that Thursday evening saw yours truly in his wedding outfit, playing prince charming, the wifely one landed the role of the ugly sister, and the young violinist very happily playing Cinderella, complete with plastic slipper! All's well that ends well! (except that working outside on a car isn't an experience I want to repeat in these temps...)