It's pissing it down here and in an hour or so I'm driving to Dublin.

Most of the roads are flooded or flooding but it won't matter as I'm in a big 4x4.

A 4x4 that has no heater.

A 4x4 that has a slow puncture on one tyre and no spare as that's already in use.

A 4x4 that in January broke down with a dodgy starter motor.

In February it broke down because the battery was old and wouldn't hold a charge.

In March it broke down because the alternator broke.

In April it broke down because a water pipe blew off the engine.

In May it broke down because a water pipe blew off the engine.

In June it broke down because the cylinder head gasket was shot, as was the radiator.

In July it broke down because another pipe blew off the engine.

Until Tuesday it had rarely moved since July.

On Tuesday the AA had to come out and start it.

As we left the house it sounded... rough.

As we got to the end of the road more steam was coming out the engine.

At the garage they told us the engine block has a crack.

They've taken the thermostat out so we can drive to Dublin to get the ferry crossing.

A ferry crossing that earlier today was cancelled due to adverse weather.

So, I'm driving to Dublin in a car that won't work to catch a ferry that's been cancelled.

There is something very wrong with this.