When Pawel Kowalik took a friend sight-seeing, he reckoned without the rain and the shutdown of Nottingham Castle.
They went for a hot drink instead and looked around the city centre before getting hungry and heading for a bar on August 10.
Kowalik, 37, had a lager which paved the way for a visit to a police station and then Nottingham Magistrates' Court.
JPs were told he was a passenger in a car seen driving erratically along Loughborough Road. He argued with the driver, took over at the wheel but it was still going "erratically."
His difficult Saturday was outlined by Maria Moore, who represented father-of-one Kowalik of Clifford Road, Loughborough.
He pleaded guilty to driving in West Bridgford with 76 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Miss Moore told the court: "He was driving in town that day because he had a friend from Poland who wanted to do some sight-seeing.
"But the castle was closed and the weather was terrible."
His friend, who has already been prosecuted, was not used to driving his car and that is why Kowalik took over.
Miss Moore added: "To say he is devastated is an understatement. He said to me 'I have to be punished, I have done wrong, I know that.'
"His partner said it was 'the biggest and stupidest thing' he has ever done.
"It is completely out of character. He is very ashamed and embarrassed to be in court."
A 17-month driving ban was imposed on Kowalik who was fined £400. He must pay £85 prosecution costs and £40 government tax.
Ghazala Mumtaz, prosecuting, said the car was seen driving erratically at 11pm before it stopped on Loughborough Road.
"The driver and passenger had an altercation and he takes over. The car continues to drive erratically and was seen to do 50 in a 30 limit," said Miss Mumtaz.
Kowalik, who now plans to cycle to work, will have his driving ban reduced by a quarter if he completes a course on the perils of drink driving. He had never been in trouble before.
As he left the courtroom, he told the three magistrates: "I don't want to come back again ever."
