I cannot wait to sell my car!
Honestly, any dreams that I may ever have (not) had of becoming a chauffeur were definitely fulfilled over this past week.
Let’s rewind a little. I’ve had the pleasure of spending the last weekend with my Dad during his brief visit to Melbourne, and whilst I absolutely loved spending time with him, I probably spent more time in my car than anywhere else – driving back and forth between airports, family visits in the ‘burbs, daytrips to the country side and zooming around the city running family errands.
It’s one thing that my car is making lots of strange noises that it really shouldn’t be, and another that I haven’t even got it insured (oops), but the damn thing just costs me so much money. It’s like a never ending, account draining, money-eating machine – comparable to having a child I suppose. I recently had to fork out $650 for annual registration! For a car that I use maybe once a week, that’s a little excessive.
Anyway, in light of my fathers visit from Western Australia, I spent the week driving around like a crazy person and by the time the weekend was over, I was ready to hang up my keys and retire the car forever.
Alas, my to-do list for April included the daunting task of preparing my car for sale, but I don’t seem to be getting anywhere with that one. The problem with preparing it for sale is that I have to spend so much money to do it!
That is one (ok, another) thing that I’m so excited about with my impending move to London. No. More. Car! I’m sure that one day, after spending a long and cold winter in London trying to navigate my way around on pubic transport in freezing temperatures, I may look back on my time with Daisy (that’s my car) with great fondness. When that day comes, I’ll be sure to remind myself of this feeling in this moment right now, and surely I’ll feel much better.
Who needs a car when you have a capable transport system, a reliable bicycle – preferably with a basket at the front, just like my current bike Herbert (yes, I name most of my valued possessions), and a pair of feet that can’t get enough of walking? And just think of all the pollution and road accidents that I’ll be preventing – I’m really giving up my car for my own (and other’s) personal safety! Doing my bit for the greater community.
Ok, I suppose having a car in London would have its advantages. Getting around in the cold winter months would be much easier, weekend getaways would be more spontaneous, and it would definitely assist in the occasional airport drop-off and pick-up, especially when there’s lots of luggage involved. But I’m willing to give that up for the simple pleasure of getting back to basics and learning to use the resources around me.
Actually, this last point brings me a little off topic to my next (slightly premature) worry of late. I’m going to have so much luggage when I land at Heathrow and I don’t know anyone who owns a car in London, how on earth am I going to manage to get all of our (my bf’s, friend’s and my own) luggage across the city and to our accommodation in an orderly, respectable fashion? This isn’t just an easy backpacking trip like the last time I visited London, throw on my backpack and away I go. This is a serious three loads of suitcases, three lots of hand luggage, some handbags, probably a coat or three and I suspect a whole array of duty free shopping, mainly vodka.
I think it’s now time for me to do some research on what my options are for getting from the airport to our accommodation. I’ll be sure to post up my findings to share with you as soon as I work it out myself!
The London New Girl
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9 thoughts on “Car Troubles”
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I agree. I also lived in London and I don’t have a car at that time. I feel hassle and lazy every time I need to take a bus during winter. Miss my London times. Reading this made me think about my experiences before.
Depending how far you will be going from Heathrow, a taxi might be an incredibly expensive option, but if you book one in advance and agree on a price that would probably save you some money and the surprise at the bill at the end!
I would recommend National Express, http://www.nationalexpress.com. That is how I always get to and from the airport and I’ve rarely had a bad experience with them (except being stranded at Stansted once due to the driver not showing up for his shift!). I usually have two large suitcases, hand luggage, and a hand bag, plus jacket etc. You should be fine with them!
Taking huge suitcases on the underground is an absolute headache. Avoid at all costs if possible. I learned this from experience!
That’s true, I do remember having a huge struggle trying to lug my suitcase around on the tube in Paris a few years ago, and actually it was even harder in Spain, so I don’t think that London would be any easier. I will definitely check out National Express, thanks for posting up the link. The joy (& downside) of being ridiculously organised is that I will never pass up an opportunity to pre-book, so that is definitely on the cards! Thanks for your help.
Depending how far you will be going from Heathrow, a taxi might be an incredibly expensive option, but if you book one in advance and agree on a price that would probably save you some money and the surprise at the bill at the end!
I would recommend National Express, http://www.nationalexpress.com. That is how I always get to and from the airport and I’ve rarely had a bad experience with them (except being stranded at Stansted once due to the driver not showing up for his shift!). I usually have two large suitcases, hand luggage, and a hand bag, plus jacket etc. You should be fine with them!
Taking huge suitcases on the underground is an absolute headache. Avoid at all costs if possible. I learned this from experience!
That’s true, I do remember having a huge struggle trying to lug my suitcase around on the tube in Paris a few years ago, and actually it was even harder in Spain, so I don’t think that London would be any easier. I will definitely check out National Express, thanks for posting up the link. The joy (& downside) of being ridiculously organised is that I will never pass up an opportunity to pre-book, so that is definitely on the cards! Thanks for your help.
TAXI??? A big one?
I definitely think this will be a good option – although I’d prefer a private luxury limousine 😉
TAXI??? A big one?
I definitely think this will be a good option – although I’d prefer a private luxury limousine 😉