Chiltern Relocation experienced one of our most dramatic viewing days this weekend. We are currently working with a lovely couple relocating from London to Oxfordshire and had the opportunity to view a shortlisted property during lockdown (with all necessary precautions in place).
Part of our job as Buyers Agents, is arranging ‘Viewing Days’ whereby view a selection of properties that we have shortlisted. Last weekend we collected our client from the train station on a very wet January day and drove to a beautiful thatched cottage just outside Thame. The viewing went well apart from the small issue of the basement leaking as a result of exceptional rainfall the previous night.
However, the issue that stopped us in our tracks was on our journey back to the train station when driving through the lovely Oxfordshire village of Shabbingdon which is nestled alongside the Thames. At the precise moment that we were driving down Mill Lane, the Thames burst its bank covering the surrounding fields in water creating flash floods which then poured onto the road. The car could not go backwards or forward as the whole road was suddenly akin to a lake. I drove on slowly in an attempt to get to higher ground, all the time watching water drift by the car door. It was most disconcerting – we felt like we were in a boat not a car!
My trusty car then decided enough was enough and stalled in the middle of what seemed like an oncoming river. I turned the engine once…. Nothing. I left it five minutes and turned the key again and the car spluttered forward only to stall once again! Third time lucky and we managed to pull out of the river, much to our relief!
The return journey to the train station was a little hairy as the car seemed to have lost power due to water in the engine but we made it and I limped back home. I think this has to be one of the most eventful viewing days I’ve had in the 16 years of business.
The car is currently receiving TLC at the garage – on this occasion an amphibian boat/car would have been ideal for our client viewing day!
Update… The garage warned me it would be at least a new engine or the car could be written off. I was delighted to hear the news once the car had dried out all that was needed was a new air filter, such a relief!
