The sand and the seize

Things took an unsightly turn for the worst car wise last week.
We'd set off to go down to Exmouth for a short holiday away. Quite a straight forward trip.... so you'd of thought!
Half way down the M5 the battery light comes on. Every thing seemed ok, so was unsure as to if it was a loose wire. I pulled over in the services to be on the safe side and parked up. Everything seemed ok wiring wise so thought it best to call the RAC. After ringing them I thought I'd move to a more accessible location, so started reversing out, only to be met by a cloud of smoke and a loud squealing noise!
Things were not looking good now...

When the RAC finally arrived they took one look at it and told me to start her up. They too got the cloud of smoke and noise. It was pretty obvious the alternator had seized. Fantastic start to the holiday hey.
The RAC chap asked where we wanted towing to, as we were half way there we decided to go the rest of the way on a tow truck.
He called the external tow company and went on his merry way.
Being a bank holiday things took longer than normal, and after much feeding of the rats in the car park, the truck turned up.

So on we go to Exmouth.
We arrive at about 9pm outside the hotel and park up.
The next day I set off walking to find the nearest garage asking if they could re-condition the alternator or fit a replacement one.
After two or three places saying yes, but it would take 5 days I hit lucky.
They said they could do it that day which was great. They went out to look for the car, so I broke it to them that it was about half a mile up the road outside the hotel.
They took the keys, said they'd sort it out and call me when done.
I must admit I was a little dubious after handing over the keys that they might just swipe it and deny all knowledge. Working in recruitment defiantly makes you sceptical.
Anyhow a few hours later I get a call saying it's ready, happy days!
So £90 later and a good few JDs we are back up and running. Apparently the alternator is a common fault (among many by the looks of it) on the BMW.