Sunday, September 21, 2008

Where are the updates?

My regular readers (both of you, to borrow a phrase from Terry) will no doubt be wondering why I haven't posted anything for, ooh, several months.

Two reasons: firstly, much of my time has been taken up changing nappies and other baby-related activities. Secondly, I haven't commuted with Third Rate Western since April. Instead, I drive to work. In my old, thirsty, polluting banger. At 23mpg, it's still cheaper than taking the train, though. Let's do some sums.

The train taking the strain

Ticket to Bristol: £6.40
Parking: £4.50
Fuel to station: £0.50, perhaps

Total: £11.40

The car's the star

Ticket to Bristol: £0
Parking: £0
Fuel: £6 if I take it steady, £7 if I'm late

Not much of a decision, is it. But of course, I have to put up with spending longer commuting. Actually I don't. If I leave at the same time that I'd normally go to the station, it takes me 35 minutes to get to work, 25 if it's school holiday time. Door to door by train is 55 minutes.

So despite Mr. Brown wanting to tax us all off the roads and onto public transport, the good old car is still the relaxing, cheap, fast option.