Tim and I travelled to Dublin for an evening function in the Farm Centre. As we neared Dublin, the dreaded “flat tyre” warning came on. There are run-flat tyres on the car which means that one can continue to drive at a much reduced speed. It would add some time to our return journey. It would merely be an inconvenience. The repairs would be done in Cork the next day - or so we thought! We also had a passenger with us, so we were uneasy.

After the event, we struck for home. Tim was driving and his passengers were dozing. My snoozing was interrupted by a flapping noise. I woke quickly, realising that the run-flat tyre was in trouble. We were just north of the Portlaoise toll plaza.

Tim drove slowly into the wide area where the toll plaza begins. Broken down on the motorway is not where you want to be as it approaches midnight. Tim roused our passenger to tell her of our plight. She had worked it out herself.

There was no option but to summon help! Tim rang FBD roadside assist. The girl on the line was helpful but seemed unclear about what she could do for us. Still, true to her word, she was back to us in a few minutes. She had examined our policy and informed us of the cover we had.

The cost of the recovery would be covered to the nearest tyre depot that was open. Transport would be provided and we would incur the cost of the repairs and tyre. The car was grand and warm but still I began to feel cold at the thoughts of an icy garage.

So, off she went again to make further arrangements. It’s a funny dynamic waiting on the side of the road for someone else to come to your assistance. As our nerves were starting to fray, we were having the usual thoughts: “Is the phone charged? Do we have coverage? What if she can’t ring back?”

Then she was on the line: “Tim, are you still there?” She explained that Tim would travel in the tow truck but the rest of the passengers would have to travel by taxi! Another wait followed while we watched the various vehicles approaching. Then we saw a tow truck on the other artery of the motorway and thought our FBD girl had got it wrong. But no, that was a couple who had run out of petrol. Apparently it happens regularly and is often the result of just not having the money to fill the tank.

TIME FOR TEA

Very shortly after, the tow truck arrived followed immediately by a taxi and a jolly gentleman. Ray Peacock had already been to Cork twice that day. He had to take us 25km south and then 25km north back to Portlaoise as there are few access points off the motorway. We arrived to the Modern Tyres depot just as a man was opening up the big roller door.

Inside there were tyres piled high to the roof all around the premises. There was a very cold looking staircase going somewhere. I could see no other place to sit. My bottom was cold already! The tow truck hadn’t arrived yet. I looked at Ray. He looked back. I asked: “What happens now?” He said: “This is my duty done!” The wind was howling and it was bitterly cold with the temperature reading 2oC in the car. I roused our passenger. “Darina, we have to get out!” I felt terrible when I thought of the comforts of Ballymaloe House and what Darina was having to endure.

In that moment, Ray had a change of heart! He said: “I couldn’t leave two lovely ladies out in the cold. I’ll take ye across town for a cup of tea while ye wait.” It was music to our ears. I wonder if the calibre of my passenger had anything to do with it! There seemed to be instant voice recognition. Off we went to the 24-hour Centra service station. Expressing a need to go to the loo, Ray whizzed us off to the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise for the upmarket loo! Then it was back to Modern Tyres where the repairs were well underway. Ray parted company with us. He told us that he does an average of 50 breakdowns on the motorway per week. And he was away to the next call.

GOOD SERVICE

Inside Modern Tyres we found a lovely comfortable waiting room and a lovely bathroom. We were back on the road to Cork by 2am. The whole process took two hours, which we considered excellent service. It was streamlined and considered. We arrived to Glanmire shortly before 4am where a taxi from East Cork Cabs was waiting to take Darina home. I’ve no doubt that we were well tucked up in bed before Darina got home.

It pays to be properly insured. Apart from being a little tired the next day and a bit embarrassed in front of Darina, we were none the worse for wear. Darina was such a lady through it all, uttering no more than an “Oh goodness!” with a sigh. Still, she was back in front of her students at the Ballymaloe Cookery School the following day. Little did they know that she had spent half the night on the motorway.

Roadside assist proved to be a sound service. All the elements worked and everyone we spoke to from the girl on the phone, the two drivers and the gentleman in Modern Tyres, was courteous and good humoured. Well done to FBD on an excellent product. CL