37/52 - Freedom
Sep. 13th, 2020 01:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
askygoneonfireI bought a car. I've been trying to do so for 6 weeks now and it's proved an incredibly frustrating to find something I can buy. I've walked away from two cars that were in someway dodgy. One that was completely fine but I found too uncomfortable to drive (exceptionally hard suspension). And innumerable cars that sold before I even got to see them. The used car market is moving at a breakneck speed right now.
Right now, a car means freedom - in much the same way it did when I first passed my test when I was 18 and I could suddenly leave my village whenever I wanted. I have been on a train twice in the last month and it's been quiet and easy, but those are journey's under an hour and did not require pre-booking. Many routes from Southampton require seat reservations and as these services are running massively under capacity, they are sold out almost immediately after the tickets are released; which amounts to the same as these trains not running at all in terms of being able to travel.
I live on the doorstep of some truly beautiful beaches which are inaccessible on public transport, with or without the complicating factor of a pandemic. One of the things I've struggled with most in Southampton has been the loss of coastal time. With a car, I get it back.
On Friday night my downstairs neighbour, with whom I am tending a blosoming "neighbourship" (what a charming portmanteau that is) drove us out to a strip of beach I'd never heard of and we had a wonderful stroll along the cliff top and beach in golden hour. I can offer to take him next time. Or I can go alone. And that is dizzyingly wonderful to imagine.
Right now, a car means freedom - in much the same way it did when I first passed my test when I was 18 and I could suddenly leave my village whenever I wanted. I have been on a train twice in the last month and it's been quiet and easy, but those are journey's under an hour and did not require pre-booking. Many routes from Southampton require seat reservations and as these services are running massively under capacity, they are sold out almost immediately after the tickets are released; which amounts to the same as these trains not running at all in terms of being able to travel.
I live on the doorstep of some truly beautiful beaches which are inaccessible on public transport, with or without the complicating factor of a pandemic. One of the things I've struggled with most in Southampton has been the loss of coastal time. With a car, I get it back.
On Friday night my downstairs neighbour, with whom I am tending a blosoming "neighbourship" (what a charming portmanteau that is) drove us out to a strip of beach I'd never heard of and we had a wonderful stroll along the cliff top and beach in golden hour. I can offer to take him next time. Or I can go alone. And that is dizzyingly wonderful to imagine.
(no subject)
Date: 2020-09-13 07:07 pm (UTC)Happy Car-ness :)
(no subject)
Date: 2020-09-13 07:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2020-09-13 07:57 pm (UTC)