Some decisions are really big, life-changing even. My husband and I have been toying with this for some months but finally decided, just before he started his new job back in April, that we would try for it. 'It' turns out to be 'she.' It's been a tough period, waiting for her, not knowing when she would come, but finally, last Friday, she arrived in our world. All of us have spent the weekend delighted to get to know her.
Here she is!
Well, that isn't actually her (as you can tell from the number plate) but we live in Manchester: it is raining so I couldn't take an actual photo.
She's also green, in more ways than one. It is a Skoda Fabia Estate, designed to be as green and eco-friendly as possible, given that it guzzles gas. It means a low road tax and lots of mpg (or kpl, or whatever scheme you use). She doesn't have a proper spare wheel, which is a little concerning, but makes her lighter and thus more fuel efficient. (Clearly that calculation is before adding in the four of us and all our luggage - why does so much have to come even on the shortest journeys?)
So, I am going to have to alter my profile. No longer are we without a car and totally reliant on public transport. Now we have joined the community of parents that taxi their children everywhere, rather than get on our bikes or use our feet. In many ways it is a shame, although we are looking forward to being able to explore the countryside around us, to get into the Peak District, to be able to visit friends and family easily.
So how green can we be now? How should we compensate for this small hole we are burning in the ozone layer? Just wait: at some point in the future I have to explain away the Aga we are planning to install in the house...
9 comments:
I wouldn't worry about being green. If sea levels rise it will make everyone closer to the beach and then we won't have to drive as far.
Thanks Troy - perhaps I should be looking for a boat instead?
I'm thinking of calling our car Lisa ... because we lease her ...
Hmmm, when your house is just eight feet above sea-level such things become a tad more urgent. Good on you for investing in a green car. (Mind you, it looks silver in the picture...)
Surely if you live near the coast it is even more important to have a green vehicle - (a) to have a quick escape from rising water levels and (b) to reduce the environmental impact and thus lengthen the time before the sea laps at your front door. When it comes to climate change every little helps. (Although it would be most helpful if a big bit helped, like the USA...!)
Very nice. I try to offset our using a car every day by walking and using the tram at weekends wherever possible. Oh, and getting Tesco to deliver, does that count?
Supermarket deliveries had better count - I can't now face the thought of an hour (more?) a week battling with a trolley to buy everything. I have nearly got it down to a fine art: one delivery a month. Surely that £5 is worth it?
(And, of course, walk to the local shops for fresh fruit/veg/etc.)
I do approve but unfortunately one green car is not going to save the planet.
True, CW. Just my little bit, I s'pose. Besides, since we haven't had a car at all for the last two years all I'm doing now is making the planet worse ... just in the least destructive way that I can.
So glad that you got the car finally. Enjoy it. You can still do all the cycling and just use it for the trips that aren't otherwise possible?
Post a Comment