Going car free

[Chantal]

My beloved car (AJay) has come to the end of the road. She's 27 years old and been a member of the family since she was 16 miles old. She's finally got to the point where it's just not worth fixing her as her bodywork is getting too bad. AJay's tax runs out in May and that will be it; the great garage in the sky.

Anyway, we've made the decision to not replace her and try and go car free. Tim doesn't drive in any case and I rarely have the need to go more than two miles. I work in the centre of town so can walk. cycle or if it's raining, catch the bus. Sainsbury's deliver heavy stuff (like catfood) and I buy what I need as I need it.

I've just ordered myself a cargo trailer for my bike to get stuff to and from the allotment (such as the lawn mower) and am saving so much money by a) not having to buy petrol and b) not supermarket shopping and buying loads of stuff I don't need.

It's wonderful, I just hope it works out.

[Kleftiwallah]

My white Astra van is in the same league, superb engine but bodywork is being attacked by the tinworm. Going to donate it to my old Gliding club as a general airfield runabout and crash truck. Sad to see it go but know it will be doing a useful job of work. Cheers, Tony.

[Nature's Babe]

'Good for you Chantal, I made the same choice, no regrets, cars can really run away with the money. Last year I didn't plant too much for winter
as I was busy caring for Mum, still picking a few leeks and shimonata onions and chard and herbs, the broad beans and early peas that I thought had gone down to australia are beginning to romp away, now showing two - six inches. a local organic box scheme has helped me over the winter they deliver...even in the snow, and are cheaper than the supermarket.

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Chantal, sorry to read that old Ajay is nearing the end, as he has appeared in many a tale over the years.


You with your bike and trailer, and me with my wheelbarrow, do go to show you can do a lot without having to rely on the car for every trip.

[Chantal]

OH, AJay is a SHE! She's a Mazda with attitude

The amazing news is that because she has a "name" registration, her plate is worth lots of money. I've been offered £1K for the registration when she's scrapped She's only been worth the price of the fuel in her for some years now, despite being invaluable to me

I'm really excited about my trailer arriving, I hope by the end of the week. I'll be able to scoot to the garden centre for bags of compost

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Chantal, i had a feeling i might have got that wrong, so glad i only make that mistake with car names.

A good result regarding the number plate.

[Stephen]

Congratulations Chantal and good luck with the approach. I hope it works for you.

[Shallot Man]

Chantal. I take it that the warranty has run out.

[Primrose]

Probably a wise decision Chantal. the value of my ten year old car is probably worth less than the combined cost of my car tax, insurance and petrol expenditure these days. Just can't quite bring myself to give up that degree of independence yet but when I look at the almost daily increasing price of fuel at the pumps these days...........
When I look at all the 17 years olds around this neck of the woods who are driving to the school near us and parking outside our house, I can't help wondering how they can fund the cost of what must be horrendous car insurance premiums. They must have some parents with very deep pockets.

[Chantal]

What insurance Primrose?

I know it's crazy, but when I was looking a scrapping AJay and buying a new car, I felt awful about it. Now I've decided not replace her, I feel OKish about losing her.

Call me sad, but the only car I've ever owned and the only car I've ever wanted, is my little old Mazda (sniff).

Incidentally, anyone who watches Top Gear may recall the "old family car" that belonged to a family of four who had owned it since new, done family holidays, taught the kids to drive etc etc. Apart from being 2 years younger, that was AJay. Same model, same colour, same seat colours, the whole lot. I sat sobbing watching that programme. and most of my friends and relatives rang me up to tell me it was on!

[lizzie]

I would love to go car free but family circumstances prevent it. I need to be able to get places quickly.

I'm gutted that the brand new 60 plate Golf that I had given to me has been sold. It had fully integrated cd/mp3/bluetooth/satnav and dab radio in it. Plus it was such fun to drive too. But it had to go cos of how I was given it and I am now back to driving my crapmobile.

[The Grock in the Frock]

Well we all know i call you tart!!!! what did u expect liz when the O.H found out,told u it was wrong!!!!

[lizzie]

Gorgeous Grockie. In the amended words of Bill Clinton, I did not have sexual relations with that man. Ever. Didnt even have a snog.

You know I sent the intial cheque back to him, cos I had no intention of accepting it off him, dont care how many naughts were on the end of it. But when a flat bed lorry turns up with a car on the back, all paid for, registered to me, taxed and insured, what could I do? I couldnt send it back cos it was legally mine. Other Half knew the guy was a friend cos he was with me when I met him in Dublin. At that time, I didnt know he was who he is, or that he is a multi millionaire. He shared drinks and dinner with him too. He just didnt know that we'd met without him but again, nothing inproper occured. He's still a friend, as are you.

You know I love my Grockie, you are my Sister, if not by blood, but by spirit. I've known you far too long Kidda

[The Grock in the Frock]

well in the words of mon luinsky,......that was a mouth full

[lizzie]

Ohhh err missus. From what i've heard it'd be more than that love