Exactly one week ago we were heading over the pass back to Applecross after a day out (staying in a cottage for the week) and half way up just before the switchbacks at the narrowest part of the road a VW transporter camper van was being recovered onto a low loader after breaking down. Had a quick chat with the recovery guy to 'suss it out' and then backed down to the first passing place below him and finally after all these years saw my chance - I popped the hood, rummaged in the frunk and got out the mighty dual colour high viz waistcoat I have had in there for years.

Leaving my girls in the car in hysterics (OK I may have been playing it for laughs a little as I put it on) I marched back down the hill and started flagging down cars coming up, explaining the sitch and marshalling them into the passing bays so that we didnt have gridlock with the long line of cars waiting to come down.

Once the recovery was complete with the loader safely parked and completely occupying a passing bay, I proceeded to wave and marshall the cars coming down interleaved with those coming up (blind bends involved, without that it would have been chaos). I have never felt so empowered.

Waiting until I was the last car left I then headed up and the recovery driver made a point of stopping me and thanking me saying what a difference it made having someone whose only intention was NOT getting themselves through. Offered him additional help, he declined saying he was good to go, shook my hand and I drove through with my chest puffed out to the sound of laughter from my girls (you can tell I have an office job and don't get out enough) - later on the wife did assure me what a big strong man I was and how important and powerful I looked in my hi viz, which was nice.

I've booked again for next year and the hi viz waistcoat will be coming along too.