Little trips across Harian's wall and round Gibside are one thing, but how would I cope if I had to walk everywhere? This train of thought has been prompted by the car's MOT appointment. What if it doesn't get through? How will I get to work? How will I get heavy shopping home? The thoughts were getting gloomier and gloomier as I walked back up Laygate from Maxwell Street. I crossed in front of Chichester metro and imagined many visits that way.
Truthfully, of course, if I had to manage I would manage without a car. We have excellent public transport in the North East and it would probably work out as cheap to buy a season ticket as to run a car. Of course, my time planning would have to change - no more racing to work at the last minute! I would have to fit in with the metro and bus schedules. But I could read or knit while on the journey. As for shopping, maybe I could shop online and have things delivered. And I'd have to walk that little bit more for functional reasons and not just for fun. I used to do it, as a family we didn't own a car.
Could I do it? Could I take the plunge and say 'no more car ownership for me'? The phone rang, it had passed, I could collect it. I walked happily down Chichester Road, cut round the back of Storey's carpets onto Victoria Road and, pausing only to admire the crumbling frontage of Bethesda Free Church (my father preached here, even attended Sunday School), I paid up and drove the car away. Another year of car ownership beckons, but maybe I need to learn not to be so dependent.
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