Ready steady Queue

[Darrell]

Similarly, we have over the last couple of weeks taken to walking with backpack to our nearest 'Local' store for the bits we forgot/didn't get delivered on our main shop.
In fact, this latest fuel situation along with rising 2nd hand car values has got me thinking seriously about selling the Merc. The Present Mrs Spiky's car is needed for her work and general duties, but my commute these days is as far as the man cave at the bottom of the garden and my poor old wagon just sits more or less unused on the driveway.

We get our shopping delivered and my wife is using a combination of Uber or a hybrid when it’s available. I’m cycling but I’m fed up of getting wet!!
There are shops very nearby if my lager supply runs short.

 

[SpikyMikey]

There are shops very nearby if my lager supply runs short

Shouldn't you be stockpiling it in case of shortages??

 

[190]

similarly, we have over the last couple of weeks taken to walking with backpack to our nearest 'Local' store for the bits we forgot/didn't get delivered on our main shop.

Since the start of the first lock down we have been doing something similar. The car gets used for a big shop once every two weeks and we walk to the local shop for everything else in between. It's a bit more expensive but that's offset by the fact that leg power is free. What with the C word and fuel shortages, I imagine village shops are doing a roaring trade which is no bad thing.

I'm only a 10 litres from reserve in the car but I have no intention of queueing , I'll put some in when I need it.

 

[Darrell]

Shouldn't you be stockpiling it in case of shortages??

Nah. Too twatish.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Nah. Too twatish.

 

[vijilants]

Queued at my local Shell on Saturday night as I was low. What a nightmare !!! Igot there at 11.30pm ....left at 2.30 am . I tried to get away and come home rather than queuing but I was boxed in from all sides.

The bowser had just finished filling the pumps and then could not turn off the forecourt on to the road due to queues coming in from all different directions as it had no room to manuvere. Eventually it manged to get out and was blasting out those big heavy horns in triumph like Mad Max as it headed down the road.

Then there was only one guy behind the counter so he only opened one pump as there was no way he could handle multiple pumps or else the queue to his payment window would have been a mile long, and that would have compounded the issue.

So the area and junction gridlocked and was going nowhere.

Then the mob outside threatened him, so he was forced to open another pump. It would have made no difference if there were 10 people serving, as the night hatch for the station can only accomodate one customer at a time for payment.

Incredible scenes of mayhem.

 

[poormansporsche]

The only bus service in the area is a Council contracted school transport, and it took a month to get our application for that approved

PMP Junietta's school run is a 7 mile round trip. We have been trying for 6 months to see if she can go PAYG on a odd day but no response whatsoever from the subcontractor bus company, no telephone number, emails are ignored. All you do is pay for a season ticket on line.

 

[Londonscottish]

Similarly, we have over the last couple of weeks taken to walking with backpack to our nearest 'Local' store for the bits we forgot/didn't get delivered on our main shop.
In fact, this latest fuel situation along with rising 2nd hand car values has got me thinking seriously about selling the Merc. The Present Mrs Spiky's car is needed for her work and general duties, but my commute these days is as far as the man cave at the bottom of the garden and my poor old wagon just sits more or less unused on the driveway.

Yeah, other than (UK) holidays I've been using mine a lot less over the last couple of years.

The trouble is it's been very good for UK family trips o/w I've done quite a few over the last couple of years (oddly enough) and for trips to France which I think we're more than likely to do next year; SW coast, hopefully. It took me to Scotland and back for urgent matters during peak Covid. It's a great bike carrier and it was also really handy for a recent blast up to West Brom and back for the football.

But it's doing far fewer van duties. I've sorted all my house moving, fencing, trellising, furniture buying & refurbing, shrub buying etc etc. That kept it busy in the first three years I had it.

I guess I own it outright, it's a known quantity and having the space and GT-ness is still hugely useful when I need it.

 

[SpikyMikey]

I guess I own it outright, it's a known quantity

Yep, me too.
But everytime I walk past it I think "I don't actually need this car". The Present Mrs Spiky's chariot gets used far more, is also an estate for when we need a van, is 5 years younger and thanks to its' high tech cylinder-on-demand trickery is surprisingly economical.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Too twatish.

Just for clarity are you saying that you are or you are not twatish?

 

[Darrell]

Just for clarity are you saying that you are or you are not twatish?

Depends.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

On a related theme..... I was surprised today just how quiet my Surrey & Wimbledon roads seemed on this moist Monday,

My local car wash was crazy quiet too - the boys seemed absolutely elated to see a punter rock up at 6pm - normally a busy after work time for them.

Now, the plural of anecdote isn't data, but I did think it's a sign that people were choosing not to drive "what with one thing and another."

On the "Walkies with Backpack" theme, I started regular errand walking about four years ago, clocking up an average four miles a day. (After a lifetime of "I'll drive everywhere.") I certainly feel the better for it. I won't improve my waistline - that's RIFA - but it's definitely improved my fitness and well-being.


Mike

(RIFA: Rubbish in: Fat Ass)

 

[SW18]

Just filled up with fuel, having played roulette for a week driving round with the light on. Although most forecourts here are still out of stock, my nearest one, an Esso a mile or so down the road, had all grades in stock this evening. Only needed to queue for 10 minutes, 4 pumps were open which seemed a good compromise, letting a good flow of customers through but stopping the till becoming a bottleneck.

Despite there being more or less nowhere stocking fuel here this last week and a half, I was amazed to see that no other motorist than me was brimming the tank. Nearby sales showing on the pump were £25.30, £17.00, and even £6.65 to one customer!

 

[E55BOF]

I saw a BBC news strap line this morning to the effect that the PRA has stated that the crisis is pretty much over in the North and Midlands. I'm off Oop North later this week; more anon if it's not.

 

[Markw70]

I saw a BBC news strap line this morning to the effect that the PRA has stated that the crisis is pretty much over in the North and Midlands. I'm off Oop North later this week; more anon if it's not.

Yep it definitely seems to be all over in my part of the world, all stations are open and all seem to have the regular amount of customers, and they say it’s grim up north

 

[kam09]

Here in Nottingham shell and bp are really struggling as both have been without fuel on a few consecutive days at a time! But strangely the supermarkets have faired a lot better with regular deliveries that's why the queues have died down a little here..

 

[Fastcar155]

Hi , well can we assume that the fuel shortage is over.( Through lack of comment)

 

[Darrell]

Hi , well can we assume that the fuel shortage is over.( Through lack of comment)

Nah. Just piss bored of the daily regurgitation of the same news.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Hi , well can we assume that the fuel shortage is over.( Through lack of comment)

Not over in the South East - nothing has changed around me.

Luckly, hardly anyone uses Full Fat petrol so I have been getting it without issue.

 

[Deleted member 159894]

I was allowed £35 today but cheated and got £35.06.