Saving Petrol

[Larkshall]

I'd just stick them in my trailer....have already brought home four or five sacks of spuds in it. It's equally good for shifting several bags of compost at a go, transfering trays of seedlings, moving tools (can get my wheel barrow on it), etc.

Trailer and bike cost substantially less than what it cost just to tax my car last year, so I'm on to a winner even before we've started to consider insurance (although I do have 3rd party insurance when on my bike), fuel, parking, servicing, depriciation, etc.   It's also nice that I can do the ten mile each way commute on the bike in about the same time it would take in a car across the city.

Not that I want to sound all yogurt-knitting, tree-hugging, hollier-than-though, but hey, I am ;D  No, seriously though, you'd be surprised at just how easy it is and how much money and hassle you save when you replace short trips in a car with a bike - just save the car for the longer trips where it comes into its own more. 

Sounds like you are a member of the same club as I am, with that third party insurance. Anyhow your doing a grand job.

I have to use a car for my wife, otherwise I would be like a fellow club member. He lives in a very upmarket road (his neighbours are all academics) and his house is worth about £250,000. He always says that he could not afford to live there if he had a car. He spent his life as an electrician.

[Larkshall]

[Borlotti]

Went to the allotment yesterday, walked, didn't take bike.  A lovely man with a car, Italian who feeds the allotment cat, gave me some apples.  He said if ever I had too much produce to carry he would take me home in the car. He is over 80, a true gentleman and I know his wife and son but thought that was so kind of him.  I haven't had enough produce this year and my partner has a van so I don't need to worry about the price of petrol.  Also when I walk people I know offer me lifts and I have to say politely that I am enjoying the exercise.  Also belong to the Ramblers Assoc. (don't say I am rambling now) and often car share to get to the start of a walk and we all chip in for the cost of petrol. Do need petrol for the motor mower for the allotment but my partner buys that.  When I had a car I went to fill the car up with petrol and the petrol pump spoke to me, gave me such a fright, then I drove off and went to another garage.  If I was really rich I still would not have a car but would hire one plus chauffeur on the odd occasion I needed it.  Perhaps we should have cheap petrol for disabled people, and people who really need it for work, ie craftsmen and more expensive for pleasure.  I don't think this would please everyone.