A cut above

I wonder how many of you realise how stressful chauffeuring can be.  Well it's only driving the car isn't it?  It would be nice to think that's all there is to it, but there are a few more considerations:

1. Clean & polish the car to a high standard.
2. Check around the door mehanisms, make sure they are free from oil and grease (and the nightmare that would ensue)
3. Double check your timings and locations.
4. Check that the chilled Champagne, glasses, mints, tissues are on board.
5. Ensure that you have contact details for the pick ups.
6. Double check your back up plan should the unthinkable happen.

That's it then - ready!

Of course you have allowed sufficient time if traffic is encountered, or a diversion.

On one occasion, with all these checks behind me, I arrived in good time at the bride's house.  I was patiently waiting on what was a very steep drive.  Now, normally I don't bother using the handbrake as the Rolls Royce is an automatic, but on this  occasion I thought it prudent to apply the brake.  A guest came out of the house and needed to get his car out, I duly started the car and released the handbrake which, on a Rolls is in the form of a lever that retracts under the dashboard.  Unfortunately for me the tip of my index finger was hanging over the edge of the lever, so as the lever retracted it trapped my finger. 

Well blood - you wounldn't have believed it! 

This presented me with quite a problem as no matter what I did to stem the flow, it just kept on coming and as it's usual to assist the bridge in ensuring that all of her dress is collected inside the car to avoid being trapped in the door or worse, be on the outside.  The last thing I wanted was a giant red smear up the side of a beautiful wedding dress.

Fortunately the bride came to the front door and invited me to wait inside, seeing my finger immediately offered me a plaster, so after a cold rinse and the application of said plaster, I was once again 'fit for duty'.  You just never know what's going to happen!  I made an immediate note to self - tomorrow, go and buy a first aid kit to keep in the glove box!

Until next time - Have a great Christmas.