You couldn't make this up. My first post was at ten past three. At a quarter to five I got a call from MrsC. She had been ferrying her dad around and on her way home there had been a big bang from underneath the car.
Long story short, a driveshaft has gone. Our local garage - who are brilliant - have recovered the car to their workshop. I phoned them up at three minutes to closing and they came out, recovered the car and gave MrsC a lift home.
So next I'll find out how much the driveshaft will cost, or if the repair makes economic sense given the age of the car (2004 model).
Anyway, things could have been a lot worse. The car could have broken down miles away from home instead of one mile, for a start; and nobody is hurt.
So now I'm wondering if it's time to get a new(er) car; if this one is over the top and into the land of constant repairs.
That'll teach me for moaning about the cost of the road tax, lol!