A Major Decision
Introduction
Good Evening to all lovely peple at the Great WA Family as always do so hope that you are all keeping both safe and well. The title will become obvious when you read the next main section.
Thought that I would write this tonight as I have so much to sort out tomorrow.
Like most areas we have been absolutely drenched this week, been able to spend all of five minutes in the garden to check on my water saucers!!
The Last Few Days
It will be easier if I get the reason behind the title out of the way first. When we came home on Saturday I did smell what I thought was smoke in the car, but we could not find anything. However when I got in the car on Wednesday to go to the Doctors, pressed the starter fine, depressed the clutch, selected a gear, nothing, the gear box was gone. To cut along saga very short, spoke to the garage and was told that it could cost a thousand pounds. Having had a few days to think about this and a long chat with my son-in-law over everything I have decided to get rid of the car and retire from driving.
The car is over fourteen years old, and spending more money than the car is worth does not seem a good idea, also I have been not happy driving long distances or in fact at night. So packing in after sixty years will make my life different, but I will cope. There is a good bus service into Burton, the major Town, every thirty minutes, the Bus Stop some 200 yards from home. I also walked into the local shops this afternoon, it is about a mile away, I was there and back in forty five minutes.
I will certainly have to adjust how I do things, and I will certainly miss the car, but life will still go on, I will just have to adjust how I do things. To be honest I do not want to stop driving or get rid of the car, but I have to be sensible, as I have a bus pass I travel on the bus for free, it just takes longer. Will also need to sort out how I get to different places.
Fortunately my major shopping will not be a problem as the stores will diliver, also my daughter has offered to either do it for me, or take me.
The access to the cricket will cause me the biggest headache, but I will sort it out.
Back to business, I have sorted a number items on my hard drive and even written my first piece of content, I have another waiting to be repurposed, so I have at least made a start.
It was OK at the Drs, just a jab to take some blood. Despite no car, did have lunch out, Ham, Eggs and Chips, very nice.
The Next Few Days
Adjusting to life without the car will be one thing, but when I need to walk it will do me good, I do need the exercise!!
Continuing to plan for the business, writing more content and generally getting organised will be the major targets this week, as I get ready for the New year plan, that is when I write it -ha -ha.
As you like to know my Sunday Lunch it is cheats Roast Beef (Bought slices), roasties, yorkies, veg and gravy)
Be happy, healthy and wealthy.
Please do stay and take care.
God Blesss.
Stuart
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Recent Comments
47
Great to hear from you as always Stuart...
I.... personally haven't owned a car since I left Brazil in 2013!!
Once I moved back to Europe..... there is no need for one unless one lives in the sticks.... which I don't think you really do!!
When the cost of maintaining the vehicle outweighs its value.... time to get rid of it my friend....
You can find much enjoyable ways to get around as well....
Take care buddy.....
I am hoping to start driving in the new year. At some point will have to book my test and see if I can pass. Bit worrying how much its going to cost though. I hear a lot of people are put off by the running costs. I have all that to look forward to but sounds like your making best choice for you. Best of luck with whatever happens
Missed you last week, VH
I understand your decision to not drive anymore. You seem to have other means to get around and even help from your family. Perhaps a good decision. I, on the other hand, don't know what I would do without a car. I've actually been thinking about what I will do when I can't do many things on my own. I have no family around me as others do. It's a little scary. You'll figure the cricket thing out AND you're right, walking does a body good. Not just physically but mentally. When many people over 100 were asked about their lives, they said "KEEP moving and being interested in things. Have a reason to get up in the morning" Good advice.
I've spent much of the week putting stuff away to make room for the kids. It really feels good to have it all put away but I fear that I won't ever be able to find some of it when I need it. I don't like clutter. This coming year is going to be a TOTAL reboot for me!!! I must find a way to 1- lose this weight and 2- get out of this house and have a craft room so I don't have to deal with craft stuff everywhere. Those are my 2 big goals for 2026. So, getting back into WA more heavily might be the ticket for goal 2.
We got some snow last night but not much more than a dusting. My church closed today!!!!! So, I'm off as soon as I finish this to a "Candlelight Tour". I'm not exactly sure what that entails but I think they've decorated many of the historic houses where I live and you go and look at them. We have some GORGEOUS historic homes that I would LOVE to live in but wouldn't want to pay for the heat and many probably don't have air.
Well, better get moving. Speaking of driving.....I have to clean my car off from the snow and parking gets bad in the "city" so I need to leave early. You have a good
week. I'm actually anxious for the New Year!!!!
Always
Your VW
Hi VW,
I was concerned when I did not hear from you, do decided to give you a few more days, then I would send you an email to check that you were OK.
I am very independant, so asking for lifts does not really float my boat, if I need to get there then I will, if it is at all possible.
Pleased that you are so positive over your plans for the New Year and that you so looking forward to the family coming.
Please do keep the snow. I can do without it, more than ever if I have to walk!!
Do enjoy old houses, so hope that you enjoyed your walk. I bet the price of some of those houses could also scare you off!!
It has been really nice today, had to make myself do the items on my to do list, so did not go into the garden, tho' I wanted to!!
Will close for now, have a great week.
Will be thinking of you,
Take care.
As always
Your VH
I didn't see a blog from you last week and I looked. So, I was concerned about YOU!!! I was happy to see a post this morning.
Yes, I would have a hard time asking for a ride (or anything else) as well. I'm too independent. Pros and cons for that with us.
Some of the places this morning were closed due to ice. My car had more ice than snow on it. My driveway had ice but the roads were, for the most part, clean. I think they treated. Only 2 out of the 4 of us ended up doing the tour. We all went to a party last night and 2 weren't feeling so good. Weird, they are the 2 that had nothing to drink. I had a glass of wine and the other person had wine and beer. Alcohol kept us well I guess. LOL. The tour was ok. Not what either of us expected but I did get some good walking in even though it was SOOOOOOO COLD. I do not do hats but I ended up buying one downtown. It was just too cold. The wind was brutal. I came home and took a nap!!!!! I was trying to get warm!!!
The prices??? Yeah, the houses downtown go for millions and they probably paid a few thousand back in the day. We went to Martha Washingtons house. It was tiny. Some of the people were dressed in period costume. So, generally it was nice. I was glad to get home though.
BTW, Santa was in one of the houses and I did ask him for a deed under the tree for a new house for me so I can have a craft room. He said he'd work on it. LOL!
So, I'm heading to be early to get some good sleep and warm up. I've been on the go since Thurs.
Take care of yourself
Always
Your VW
Hi VW,
A nice surprise another reply from you. You can certainly keep the snow and ice, but now I do not drive, it does not bother me, but I do have to be careful when I walk, as I get a little doddery at times.
Nice to think that we bother about each other, did think of you when I ordered my frozen food from Iceland as I saw the parsnips, also ordered some glazed carrots. As an aside, I used to cook my version of herby glazed carrots.
Pleased that you enjoyed the tour, it is always a shame if you go on a trip and do not enjoy it. When I am sorted out I aim to look to go a trip or two.
Talking of house prices, my wife's Aunt and Uncle paid four hundred pounds for this house in 1940, now it would be anywhere upto quarter of a million pounds!!
Hope that Santa keeps his word!!
Have a visit to my toe lady tomorrow so will possibly buy some presents, but I have to remember that I am walking, also that my frozen food will also be arriving around two pm.
It sounds as if you are starting too over do things, just take care and be more careful.
Have a great rest of the week.
God Bless.
A s always
YoourVH
Your "toe lady"?
There's still a lot to do but I accomplished a lot today. The Veterans Group came and took away 1/4 of my garage full of stuff. I had to haul it out into the driveway by 7:30 this morning though and it was VERY COLD!!!! Then a friend's son came over and put my futon together. It was easy enough but the parts were heavy. I'm not as strong as I used to be plus my body is a little worn out from all the stuff I've hauling lately.
I do hope Santa is able to make the deed happen as well. We all know who's in control though don't we??????
Heading to bed to read so you have a good rest of your week.
Always
Your VW
Yes, that's a major decision, but no doubt the right one. My husband recently paid around £800 for a new gear box. We hope the car will now last quite a while longer. Our next big decision will probably be to combine cars. At the moment we have one each - but I can only drive an automatic because of mobility problems and he is not used to automatics...
Make use of your bus pass. You seem to have got it all pretty well sorted already. As Gail says, I think some of the cricket folk will most likely offer you lifts.
Have a good week.
Isabella
Hi Isabella,
Thanks as always for your comments, I feel sure that I have made the right decision, still a little wary though.
Have a great week.
Stuart
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