Car Reliance

 

I’m going into work late today. Bluebell is playing up and I’m waiting for a man with the van to get her going again. 
I’m hoping it’s something simple. 
I have some time owed to me and there are enough trained staff to cover my absence until things can be sorted.
I’m lucky today, that this is the case.
Relying on a car is given to country people. 
It’s also a pain when things go wrong. 
I work 23 miles away from Trelawnyd which doesn’t sound far, but depending on traffic it’s a 40 - 45 minute commute one way on a bad day
Twice last week I caught pub quiz Claire walking to Dyserth to catch a bus to Rhyl. The walk on grass verges with long grass and no pavements next to a busy A road is difficult and potentially dangerous. She was waiting for her new car to be delivered and as there is no public transport available until later morning she just had to walk to work….I was happy to give her a lift, even though Dorothy never stopped barking.
I remember just a few years ago now when Aunty Gladys was in her late nineties and starting to get a bit confused she once set out on a dark winters morning to walk to the doctor’s surgery on the same road. 
Luckily two “ delightful “ policemen picked her up and took her home before disaster occurred 

Bluebell has her main service and Mot next week. 
She has served me well for the past few years 
And I hope she will last me a few more





60 comments:

  1. Hope Bluebell sails through ok.
    It is worrying having to be car dependant. We are so relieved that we do have a 7 day regular and fairly reliable bus service going through our village.

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    1. I think our service out Is 9.30 and 10.30

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    2. And how would people commute by bus?!

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  2. I hope the car is back and all is well. I know this dependence on a car in a rural area without public transportation.

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  3. As a non-driver, I would hate to live somewhere where you have to rely on a car. I have shops within walking distance and regular bus/train services nearby. I guess it's a case of "you pays your money and takes your choice." I hope Bluebell can be quickly and relatively cheaply sorted. xx

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    1. Yes , I relied on buses and trams when I lived in Sheffield but everything seemed near. To go to the supermarket in Rhuddlan is a ten mile round trip

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  4. We rely on our car there is no bus service where we live and the nearest supermarket is 10km away , our car is now 14 years old so every time she has to go to the garage is cause for concern. Thankfully the last time the bill was not as expensive as we expected.

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    1. I’m lucky my nephew runs a garage so I know I’m never going to be ripped off

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  5. When my brother and his wife moved to their house in the countryside, her mother, a townie, stood outside, sniffed the air, then asked how often the bus passed. Oh, how we laughed!

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    1. our Village is over 600 feet above sea level , so any walk down to town is a trek

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  6. Trelawnyd to Dyserth to catch a bus? That's a good long walk! It's a pain when cars breakdown. It's an hour's walk from where I live to the nearest town. I know the feeling. Had my car serviced and MOT'd last week. Cost me well over £1000 to get things put right. Still, cheaper than buying a new car...hope Bluebell gets fixed!

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    1. Hahaha! That shows you for the shrew you are Anon! Well done John.

      Jo in Auckland

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  7. We lived in the country in Connecticut, although not as countryfied as Trelawnyd. Being more a city person, it was very frustrating for me to have to use the car for the slightest thing. But once settled at home it sure was nice.

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    1. Yes, everything has to be planned for, you just can’t pop out …for something.
      Having said this, the small city of Chester is 30 minutes away, Liverpool an hour….and a major theatre 22 minutes away by car

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  8. One thing I really don't like about living in the countryside is no public transport and thus no social life.

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    1. Don’t you drive ? And how far is the grand city of cork from you?

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  9. Fingers crossed, Bluebell's service and MOT won't break the bank and she'll be ready for twelve more months of trouble-free driving but I am afraid the signs are there - you will need to upgrade before too long.

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    1. I know , I’ve had her four years ….

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  10. Hope all is well with Bluebell.

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    1. Fingers crossed. To be fair I’ve looked after her

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  11. Ugh. Car troubles. Good luck with Bluebell.

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    1. I know it’s a case of real live rearing it’s ugly head . The practicalities of life

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  12. I find cars a worry as I do dogs when there is a problem - but usually after paying the bill to someone everythings fine again x 🚽🚙 🐕

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    1. Having a poorly dog and no car is a dreadful feeling. That happened to me four years ago.
      I’ve looked after Bluebell very well. She’s always had her service on time and passed all mots

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  13. Hope your car trouble in minor. We rely on a car, too, which is why (don't mean to offend anyone) we always get a Japanese car and not a European car.

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    1. I get that completely….I have a fund ( not a huge one) which will pay for my next car

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  14. At a couple of years of age, probably something routine like a battery. Cars today should easily go 100,000 miles with a little maintenance, you should have a few years left to go.

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  15. Car problems are always a worry, especially as we get older.
    Please explain what a "MOT" is for a vehicle. Thanks!

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    1. Anonymous3:21 pm

      MOT is an annual test of vehicle safety, roadworthiness and exhaust emissions in the UK.

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    2. Thank you Anon .
      Driving at night is becoming a problem …my eyesight )

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    3. Anonymous7:05 pm

      Why don’t you go to an optometrist?

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    4. Anonymous9:46 pm

      Really? Never heard of people hating to go to the optometrist. Dentists yes. Optometrists no. Hmm interesting. I personally don’t get it, but then I have been wearing glasses since I was 18.

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  16. I was wondering what a Mot was as well.

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    1. Ministry of transport- Mary

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    2. Anonymous3:22 pm

      An MOT is an annual roadworthiness test required in the UK on vehicles of 3 years old and over.

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    3. Thank you again …..

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    4. Yes ... thank you, John and to Anonymous, as well.
      John, I do not get out and drive at night ... I have always had a problem with night blindness and at 79 now, I have no reason to be out anyway!

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  17. I must have been naughty. Sent to "Spam" again.

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  18. Barbara Anne2:16 pm

    I share your hope that it's a quick fix and your hope that Bluebell lasts lots more years as reliable transport for all.
    Good you don't have to worry about work being short staffed today!

    Hugs!

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    1. Yes, I was lucky it’s been a rarity being fully staffed

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  19. Ugh. There's nothing worse than car trouble. I realize it's an urban luxury to not need a car, but I'm so happy not to have one.

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  20. Car trouble is the worse and a problem can come about without notice. Living in the countryside with little or no public transportation makes us very dependent on a car. In an emergency, can you borrow a car from a neighbor? I've loaned out a car on occasion. Hopefully, it is an easy fix.

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    1. My nephew runs a garage so in an emergency I’m sure I would be able to use one of his .Affable despot Jason loaned me his car when I was carless four years ago

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  21. You didn't say what the problem is...dead battery? My car is new and has constant problems, as did its predecessor. I feel bad for us both!

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    1. I’ve been lucky with bluebell she’s been a trooper

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  22. Had to go to a Bristol Hospital last year. 'Cor like a Military Operation...
    Bus very early , then brisk walk to the Train Station to catch a train to Bristol Station, then bus into Bristol Town Centre, then another walk, then arrive in time...
    Then repeat the journey back, but be aware that last bus back is the 5.05 p.m. and after that it would have to be a taxi, about 50 quid, IF the taxi wanted to go as far as my house, and it was last Autumn so turning dark early.
    Living rural has its disadvantages sometimes, as much as l love the solitude. The car is definately King at certain times. Tess x

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    1. A point well made Tess. Getting to hospitals and appointments especially alone with no care can be a nightmare

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  23. countrygal4:37 pm

    Good luck with the car MOT and service - it has taken me 25 years to find a reliable and trustworthy garage who don't tell me nonsense, what a relief to have found them. I do know what it is like to be car-less when living in the countryside and it isn't fun with having to rely on friends for lifts so best wishes.

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    1. My nephew owns a great garage ….I’m lucky

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  24. Anonymous7:58 pm

    How is Auntie Glad?

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    1. She is bed bound in a nursing home in flint . She not really aware of what’s happening as far as I know

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  25. It's frustrating when a car breaks down and can cause a lot of problems, good thing you were able to take the day off without any serious consequence.
    My car is a 2005 model. It has been regularly serviced and apart from the times when the battery has suddenly died, it hasn't been a problem. I'm sure Bluebell will continue to work hard for many years.

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  26. I can empathise with you on this subject. My blinking car has auto electrical problems; lights going on an off on the dashboard etc... this I can live with as she is serviced every six months and my WOF is always up to date. But lately the bloody alarm has been going off at all times of the day and night. The only solution at the moment is to disconnect the live lead to the battery when I have finished driving for the day. I have tried several times to get a time to get it fixed but the auto electrician has said he may not be able to find the problem as it is a possible "computer problem" and therefore quite random. It's very frustrating as I cannot afford $10,000 for a new computer or even more for a new car! I hope Bluebell is easier to fix. Fingers crossed for you.

    Jo in Auckland

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  27. I'm looking for a car at the moment and am finding it very difficult locating exactly what I want. I'll get there!

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    1. Stick with it. I knew exactly what I wanted. Trawled the internet and found it 150 miles away. Told my local Ford Dealer to get it here. Bought it without seeing it.

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  28. Dealing with car issues sucks. Everyone is reliant on a car in Detroit. I am glad we got rid of Max's clunker. The repair bills on that were driving me mad.

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