After the customary break, we do fluids again and all being well, fire her up to disturb the peace. Still no bother and off we go again. We spot a garage that appears to have LRP so pull over. Unfortunately, we are out of luck as the LRP seems to be just a cunning plan to lure in bangers, so we just take our chances with unleaded again. I attempt to replace the sticky wiper blade but had no luck, so just pay up and go to fire up. Nothing – not even a click. I try again, and not a bother. Okaaaaay, what was that? Never mind, I just won’t turn her off again until we get to Fishguard.

In Fishguard!

All goes smoothly to Fishguard and we pull in at 8:40PM to see a large illuminated sign saying that the 8:45 sailing is delayed for 90 minutes. This run of luck is getting too much. We park up and I go in to change our booking on the next day’s 2:30PM ferry and all is sorted in a jiffy. On my way back, I noticed that I had left the lights on – could do with a warning buzzer especially now that I have been up since 4:30 AM with about 3 hours’ sleep before that.

We start up again, and drove up to the queue. On the way as it is getting dark, I notice that the lights are pretty much harmless. I try the main beams and we get something a bit more effective if not entirely aligned. On a hunch we do another light check and we have no dipped headlights. Main beams work and we have sidelights and one tail light. Out with the multi-meter – finally we can get the wrapping off some of our shiny new tools – and the fuse is fine. Oh-oh! We are getting voltage on both sides of the fuse, but nothing at the next joint on the line. Deciding to leave well enough along, we resolve to try for digs on the other side and stop until dawn.

So we sit in the queue. I had rather stupidly left the driver’s window down and not having a jacket am beginning to get a tad cold. Along comes 90 minutes and then it goes. I walk up to the top of the queue and notice a guy with an empty car trailer. Handy, but it doesn’t really look like it is wide enough for an Interceptor. We have quite an interesting chat with the guy who was returning home empty handed after going in pursuit of a Lancia Fulvia. The guy had just confessed to his wife that he had seven cars stashed in various places – none of which were roadworthy. Seems like a bit of a tall story but he does seem to know his stuff. Recognised the Interceptor anyway.

All at Sea

The ferry finally arrives in at 11:30 and things start moving. We have a bit of a nasty 10 minutes after they make us move forward about 30 foot and then leave us stuck. Being unwilling to turn the car off, we just grin and bear the fuel costs and keep a nervous eye on the (rock-steady) temperature gauge. Finally, we get onto the ferry, pretend to lock the car, proceed to first-class (no cabins as it is the fast ferry) and get some grub.

After a noisy, sleepless, slow ferry crossing we arrive into Rosslare at 2:00. A very helpful stewardess had called ahead to look for hotels, but unfortunately there wasn’t anything. When we dock, the people don’t turn up for the car in the exit and we are in the next lane, so we end up first out. She fires first shot and we are off through a 7 foot wide gap at an angle with no side mirrors. Thank God the power steering is going well. We then have to limp out of the port on main beams and look for a car-park to kip for 4 hours.