Carmageddon

I have a love/hate relationship with cars. Driving past the car-dealership area of MK today, I was struck by the vast number of vehicles parked, and double parked, on the roads and verges.  All new and waiting for someone to buy them.

I was at a junction as a convoy of car-transporters attempted to negotiate the already busy road.  The title just came into my head, realised with a little help from Nik Color Efx.

I’m taken back to my first car - purchased for £40 in 1965.  A 1954 A40 Somerset; it had a bench seat in the front and 3 forward gears, with the gear lever on the steering column.  Changing gear required mastery of a technique known as double de-clutching.  Younger blippers may have to ask their grand-parents about this.

After a couple of weeks the engine failed.  A trip to the scrap yard and £10 bought me a replacement.   A friend who knew a thing or two about cars, helped me take the old one out and fit the new one.

The car gave me freedom to get outside my home town. A convoy of us would drive 40 miles on a Friday night to go 10-pin bowling in Brighton.  Or to parties in London.  Happy days.  And days of innocence.

I know life would be difficult for lots of people without them.  Us included. The fun part though, for me at least, is over.

Best large.