I hope this is not too morbid a subject, but which is it that normally brings one's driving to an end ~ death or infirmity? It's just something that I've begun to think about since I retired. And should I make sure that I live somewhere that has adequate public transport, because at the moment I don't.
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L'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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Except in most bigger cities (250,000+ population), does anyone?
And if you are too infirm to drive, are you necessarily up to travelling by public transport or even caring for yourself in general?
Hopefully if you've only just retired, that's all many years away in any case.
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And if you are too infirm to drive, are you necessarily up to travelling by public transport or even caring for yourself in general?
Surely that depends on the nature of the infirmity?
I ahve several friends in their 80s, none of whom now drive, but all live independently. In each case, the main reason they cited was slower reactions, though one also said that she found the controls in the car needed too much effort.
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Yes, absolutely. My point is that if you get to that stage at the same time as giving up driving (e.g., if you have a stroke) or in close succession, it doesn't much matter whether there is a viable public transport system or not.
Therefore, if L'escargot is contemplating a move based on a public transport system, the chances of a sudden, debilitating infirmity must effectively be weighted against the move, if there is to be one.
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This is a very pertinent, if uncomfortable, question to ask. Who decides when we stop? The Grim Reaper himself (or perhaps HERself in this PC age)? If so, hopefully in bed and not on the road, end of story. That's easy.
We ourselves? At what point do we become infirm/incapable of conducting a motor vehicle safely in increasingly combative, regulation-ridden, and demanding road conditions? We are hardly competent to judge that personally -- hence the argument re compulsory re-testing etc. We are likely to be largely unaware of our deteriorating faculties as we age, and to go into denial at any such suggestion.
My own father had the good sense to hang up his keys and flog his Triumph Herald when at 77 he felt he wasn't up to it. I wonder if I will be able to be that stern with myself.
Oh it's easy here in the Philippines to get your own driver, so I wouldn't worry about not driving my own car so much. Just dealing with the traffic (5 hrs to go 24km last Sunday) is enough to give you high blood.
But to get rid of that Harley, oh boy, that would be a hard one. One of our members, Primo, still rides a Fatboy at 81 and he's as competent as anyone I know, when he's the ride lead he really gives us a work-out, but he must be an exception.
No one wants to give up the freedoms he has enjoyed so long. I have always pooh-poohed re-testing based on age, but I am now beginning to realise I'm not as sharp as I was sometimes and there is probably a case for it. My partner who is let's just say a lot younger than me tactfully takes the keys sometimes during a break on a long run without saying anything but the message is clear.
This is especially relevant as was pointed out if you live in a remote-ish area. I built a place in Lincs in 97 thinking one day it would be my retirement haven. While that looks unlikely now, it is patently obvious that to live in it without a car would be impossible (Incidentally it's very nice and up for sale if anyone's interested!! - double garage and gold-plated taps :+D)
Not saying how old I am, but I CAN remember looking up at the sky around this time in 1944 and seeing thousands of planes and gliders going over.........
By the by I wonder how many BR-er's there are who are retired or about to?
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look on the bright side L`escargot!!!
if you don't "pop yer clogs" before you give up driving,that will be a good result, but if you have to give up car driving, you can always terrorise the pedestrians in a "souped-up" leccy wheelchair. these do about 8mph, which is only 12mph slower than the speed limit in a lot of places nowadays. :-).
billy.
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>>....... but if you have to giveup car driving, you can always terrorise the pedestrians in a "souped-up" leccy wheelchair. these do about 8mph, which is only 12mph slower than the speed limit in a lot of places nowadays. :-). billy.
Perhaps I ought to seek Frank Williams' advice on that one ~ I bet his does more than 8mph!
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L'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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If you're ever over visiting the Lincs house Growler, drop me a mail and I'll buy you a pint.
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I built a place in Lincs in 97 thinking one day it would be my retirement haven. While that looks unlikely now, it is patently obvious that to live in it without a car would be impossible.
Growler, it sounds as if your house is similarly situated to mine ~ and in the same county. The only difference appears to be that you've made a firm decision that life there without a car would be impossible. I think it's time for my head to rule my heart.
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L'escargot by name, but not by nature.
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Hmm - yes I can relate to all this as I am retired and will be soixante neuf (good number eh?) next cumpleaño
We live in a small flat almost in the centre of the village and only 300 metres from the sea. We have three supermarkets, 11 banks!, post office, health centre, a nice promenade and an increasing number of bars & restaurants - all within walking distance. Our car can somtimes sit happily in our garage space for a week without moving.
We would like to move to a larger flat, (with sea views & winter sun, neither of which we have as we are north facing), but every place we look at, as the immediate coastal strip fills up, would be a drive away from all our local amenities.
Does a better flat with views and winter sun outweigh the benefits of our present casa?
It's a tough one to call :)
Roger in Spain
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Nick: indeed I am partial to a drop of Bateman's, may well take you up on that! My estancia is at Old Leake Commonside, somewhere near Boston, I always get lost trying to find it (only been there about 4 times).
Malteser: I was daft, had a villa and a car at Pals just S. of Gerona. used it as a holiday home, but since it was right on a major golf course I got made an offer I couldn't refuse and sold it. Might well reconsider, always liked that area but alas what was dirt cheap in the 80's is now tres chic.
Motoring, motoring, what the hell car was it? Oh yes a Clio (hangs head in shame).
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> Motoring, motoring, what the hell car was it? Oh yes a Clio (hangs head in shame).
Just the car to rekindle your youth Papa..........
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