Thanks Guys for all your comments but I wasn't actually 'moaning' my comments were more of an observation of what hidden costs can be!
I always knew that because I do so few miles the cost per mile is much higher than it would be if I did say 10000 miles.
It was not until I had decided to write my car off and saw the cost of a replacement that got me thinking about the cost of convenience and as Caroline mentioned 'Contentment'
Caroline/Obelixx: Glad you like to see the pictures and info I put up now and again.
Sometimes I wonder if you guys think I do it to go on a bit of an ego trip but in actual fact I find displaying photos (that speak a thousand words) is easier than typing.
As you said Obelixx : "
try totting up the cost in local shops" you are quite right! I had a chat with the wife (she does all the shopping) about the price of fruit & veg and was quite taken aback at some of today's prices!
To answer your question Pumpkin lover:
Are you saying that you only ever use the car for the allotment?
Is that because you never drive anywhere else or you have another car?
If so why not use the other car or can you cycle? I am only round the corner but use a cycle and trailer.
Essentially yes I only have it to go to the allotment as we have another car, although if needs be I use it to run a few errands and the like but I think it would be fair to say that 90% of its use is to the allotment.
Regarding the 'bike' No WAY not with the terrain around here!
Let me tell you this: the Tour de France and The Tour de Yorkshire passes through my village as the hills around here are huge and very steep which suits these cyclists but to me
it is a big No! No! Similarly with Tricia's idea of a mobility scooter I think this would grunt too as it negotiated the hills around here.
Johnny you seem to have it all!!! The Sunshine, Sandy Soil, 10 minute walk to the plot but yes you are right about comments I have made in the past, my heart is not in my allotments as much as it once was due to the attitude of some people on the site.
However having said that I will keep going at least until I can find a hobby as therapeutic as this one, more so now that I have new wheels.
I have been looking at my 'herbaceous bed in my back garden with a view to turning that into a 30ft x 5ft Veg bed but that will be a last resort!
Galina: Your right about on the "Independance" thing!
Although we have two cars the wife needs hers to do her regular weekly 'baby sitting' chores, plus shopping, plus visiting her aging sister every week.
This means that to wait for her to do her chores would be frustrating. Having two cars gives us both our independence!
And to you Ed yes most hobbies cost money but apart from my car my hobby is free.
For example two or three people on the plots depend upon me for their tomato, pepper and Cucumber plants because they do not have the facilities to germinate them and grow them on.
Add to that: if I have any surplus the village shop takes them off me. I only charge a nominal fee for them e.g I check with local retailers & garden centres as to their selling prices and I sell mine at half that price!
I find this basically covers my seed & compost costs each season and basically I more or less get my plants FOC.
So there you have it folks now you know as much as me.
But once again thanks for your comments they were appreciated.....Tg