petrol pumpI think I have had my first ‘Senior Moment’

Trying to save a few centimos I decided to use an Eroski petrol station as I was passing. My mate had been on at me for months about how cheap they were.

I eventually found the way in – it is tucked away down the side of the new commercial centre at Punta Prima, south Torrevieja on the N332.

Filled the tank, paid and drove away. I noticed the engine sounded wrong and I wondered what they had used in the fuel to make it cheap – old cooking oil or what.

Then I realised I had held something green in my hand and not black. Simultaneously – panic set in and the engine noises got louder.

By then I was back on the brand spanking new dual carriageway N332 with no pull in or turn offs. Therefore, I had no alternative but to stop, hazards on, remove my new unused yellow reflector jacket from its bag and get out of the car to put up my warning triangles.

Whilst trying to fathom out the Chinese puzzle triangles (yes I know they go into a triangular shape) guess who arrived or should I say materialised out of the ether. You have it – the G Boys. The guys on motor bikes who never have a squashed fly or mozzie on either their bike or immaculate uniform. Also known as Guardia Civil.

“Buenos Dias, Agente. Estoy tonto….(They don’t teach you that at Spanish lessons, but they should) Good day, agent. I am stupid….

I explained my foolish mistake and taking pity on the poor demented guiri (pale-skinned foreigner) having his first SM they called the tow truck (grua) for me. Then with one flick of his wrist, he made the triangles into hazard warning devices.

Then, at no small danger to themselves, proceeded to direct traffic around my hazard-causing car. It was amazing, as I stood forlornly on the verge contemplating what a prize pillock I was, how many oncoming cars nearly drove straight over them. The Spanish don’t appear to have that in bred ‘plod detector’ when they are driving like their British EU cousins.

The grua took half an hour to arrive. But when it did, the driver was obviously best buddies with the GC boys so after they had a chat, well this is Spain, he loaded up my car. Then with the windows down, the driver was a fresh air fiend and his radio blasting heavy Spanish rock music we sped off to the garage.

On reflection, there are 2 morals to this story:

1. The Guardia Civil can be extremely helpful and courteous.

2. Never put petrol in a diesel engine car (but you had worked that out already right?)
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