Covid screening

Dave’s windscreen may be repaired but he ain’t going anywhere soon!

THERE I was, on a nice Sunday morning and I’d decided to do what many people do: clean my car. Admittedly not many Land Rover owners do this on a Sunday, as we’re normally out driving them, often off-road and getting them muddy. But on this Sunday, I’d no plans to go anywhere.

The windscreen was the last bit to get cleaned and it was only then I noticed a crack in the windscreen. Not massive. You couldn’t even see it from the inside but it was there and it wasn’t going to get any smaller.

Given it was the weekend, I was more than impressed when someone answered straight my call away. A big tick for AA Insurance. The company they use for screen repairs, turned out to be Autowindscreens. After a quick confirmation and check of my policy (yes, I was covered and no, there was no excess to pay) I was given two options on how to get it repaired.: within a couple of days by taking it to their repair centre or wait longer to have it done at home. I opted for a home repair, which would be in a week’s time. Little did I know then that would be the day we all went into lockdown.

They still came out however and while the repair was being done, we kept socially distanced, despite me, as always, wanting to see what was going on! Johnny from Autowindscreens however, said it was a very straightforward repair, unlike many they do now – especially those with built-in windscreen cameras, which can take ages to recalibrate.

With the repair done I can hardly see the chip from the outside of the screen. It’s now visible from the inside, which it wasn’t before, but hopefully that’s it fixed now. Worst case scenario if it did need replacing, they only fit Pilkingtons screens, as fitted by Land Rover.

It’s just a shame now it’s fixed that the only trip I can make is for essential shopping every week or so.

I do have my post-lockdown escape run out planned however, and it will be on some of my favourite roads, including the A66 to Penrith, and then either across to the west coast and south or to Keswick and down through the lakes and over a couple of the high passes, or maybe just down the old A6 to Lancashire.

Whatever way I choose, lets hope by the time you are reading this we have all been allowed out again.