Well, yesterday everything was going so well. We were in France and Ronnie the Renault had been driving perfectly the whole week we were there. We were heading for the station to catch a train to the airport to fly home, and just about to drop off Ronnie at a friends, to rest until our next visit, when we stopped to look at a shop. When we returned to the car, it started in fits and farts, coughing and stuttering and after 100 yards gave up all together. I tried to start it and the engine went round ok, but it spluttered and every now and then a cloud of white petrol smelling vapoury "smoke" came out of the air intake to the filter. It tried to start it but it would not achieve independent life. Checked all I could, and all seemed well, but it would not run . So I had to get recovery, made a dash for the station got the train, got the plane and I am now in the UK and Ronnie is at the local garage in France. The good thing is that the owner of the garage likes R4's and has two himself, so Ronnie is in good hands. However, we await a diagnosis, and a bill. The recovery went very well. The roadside assist I have with the insurance, had very good English speakers, and they were very friendly and helpful, as was the recovery driver. And the car was delivered to my village garage this morning. So as far as bad things go, it all worked well. I will keep you informed. Edwin