Friday 12 March 2021

Farewell

 Farewell dear little car.   I didn't watch her go.   The chap from the garage where I bought her came this afternoon to take her away after they agreed to buy her back from me.

I am sad but I am also realistic and I know that my eyesight and my mobility problem combined make it sensible to quit now.   A - the salesman from whom we have bought our cars for a good few years - came to collect her and brought me a delightful bunch of flowers - roses, tulips, tiny-flowered daffodils,  a couple of hyacinths and an iris.   Now I ponder where to put them that is not near a radiator.   At present they sit in the kitchen and may well stay there.

Another happening today was that S, a friend from the Isle of Man, rang for a chat - what a delightful surprise.   Thank you so much S if you are reading this - you started my day off on the right note.   I opened up my laptop to send you an e mail but can't find your e mail address - please do send me it if you can find my e mail address to send it to!

Another day of heavy downpours interspersed with sunshine.   Because I had to wait in for my car to be collected I missed my walk but then I also escaped a drenching if I had been caught in a shower.


Until tomorrow...

23 comments:

Debby said...

What a sweet thing to bring you flowers! And a friendly call to start the day too. I am sure this was a difficult day for you, but there were bright spots.

Cheryl Seaman said...

So sorry about your car but you are smart and brave to make the decision that you did. Getting around by taxi seems expensive but if you factor in gas, repairs, inspections, visits to the mechanic, insurance .... supposedly it comes out cheaper?! I'm going to be facing the same decision in a few years and hope I can do it gracefully.
I love your blog and outlook on life but our reading tastes are different!! HOpe your tomorrow is wonderful!

Red said...

Ages and stages! Some of these changes we don't like but we don't have a choice. Driving is one of the things we hate to give up.

Mary said...

I know it was sad for you Pat - and when my time comes I will feel the same, and probably won't have a thoughtful gift of fresh flowers thrown in with the sale!
We still have two cars and may think of downsizing in the not too distant future - it all depends on health issues and mobility I guess!
Take care - Mary x

Cro Magnon said...

How totally charming to be given the flowers. Now that's what I call service!!

Doc said...

It is nice when one can make their own courageous decisions. So impressed with your decision to give up your car.

Bonnie said...

How wonderful that he brought you flowers! I'm sure he understood that it was not an easy thing for you to give up your car. It was a wise and brave decision that will no doubt save you money too. We have had the rain here too and they say it will continue to rain all weekend. I hope you have a sunny day tomorrow and can get your walk in!

thelma said...

It must have been sad to see the car go, though the garage did sweeten the parting with flowers.

Heather said...

A sad day but at least you escaped a drenching, and what a lovely gesture to bring you those flowers.
Very windy and wet at times here. Lots of threatening clouds but bright bits in between.

Librarian said...

What a thoughtful and sweet gesture of your car dealer, to bring you a bunch of spring flowers! He can probably imagine what a big step (and sad day) it was for you to give up your car.
Always nice to have a call, letter or email from a friend, a good start of the day for you.

Jennyff said...

You have done the right thing and of course now you can afford all the taxis you need once such things are possible, I was always disappointed not to receive flowers, or even an air freshener, from the garage when I bought the only new car I ever had. Kind gestures mean a lot.

Yellow Shoes said...

Already been said but yes it was a wise decision and a brave one. Just imagine if you'd been in any sort of accident however slight. A taxi once a week to wherever you want to go won't cost nearly as much as owning a car.
But I do understand your sadness; the sense of freedom and independence you conveyed when you were out on the open road was obvious.

Tom Stephenson said...

I know you are sad now Weave, but cafes will soon be open again and you will be back with your friends for lunches as always.

Yellow Shoes said...

I will stick with A Gentleman in Moscow! I owe the author that although it feels a bit claustrophobic. x

Tasker Dunham said...

A tough decision. When my dad gave up driving he gave the car to us. He had hardly driven it so it wasn't a tremendous loss - it was 3 years old with 1500 miles on the clock. I think that knowing you can no longer just go out for a drive when you feel like it is the most difficult part, but on the occasions he had driven, he had felt very apprehensive.

Sue said...

So sad about your little car. The flowers were a sweet gesture though.

Rachel Phillips said...

Knowing that your friend W has been your lifeline for the past three years I am sure she will be up for picking you up for your Sunday lunches when they re-commence. The rest will continue as now with heavy shopping delivered to your door and no more struggling to the car and a taxi to the hairdressers as and when. xx

Ellen D. said...

I appreciate that you shared the whole event with us...your initial thoughts about quitting driving, your reasons behind making the decision. You took your time and made sure it was right for you and you could manage without a car. All very logical, thought out, and shared in a perfect step-by-step way on your blog. It will help all of us make the decision if or when it is our turn to decide.
Thanks so much!

Susan said...

A big decision for sure. Very hard but your analysis says, a decision well made. Between your many lovely friends and service of a taxi whenever you choose all will be okay. The beautiful bouquet is a thoughtful gift. As Spring time nears, we will be outside enjoying our gardens. Have your new Spring bulbs started to bloom?

Derek Faulkner said...

I think Rachel has got it spot on, all sounds nice and relaxed and stress free for the future - enjoy it.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Tasker - 6000 miles in four years. Like your Dad - if one has any sense one knows when the time is right.


Thanks everyone for being here.

Sue said...

What a lovely gesture to bring you some flowers, a really nice touch. You will miss her but you will also save a lot of money and the worry that having a car to maintain can bring.

JanF said...

I was so impressed by the man bringing you flowers! How very kind. Also it is wonderful how you have the arrangement with your carer to bring a nice lunch in. My mother had private carers but lunch was Meals on Wheels and , since she was borderline diabetic, she didn't have much choice, especially in desserts!
You have your life well organized.