My two year eye checkup was due this morning.
Gill had the car to take Cerys up for a doctor’s appointment so I walked into town.
It’s only a mile but you see so much.
First I noticed the progress of the new build houses. They seem to throw the things up now. They’re right on the pavement/sidewalk too with not much more than a Yard or so of front garden.
I’ve seen many estates go up in the last 40 or so years and am always saddened by the fragility of the construction.
They remind me of the house I was born in which was almost falling down.
They hadn’t been up more than 80 years but were in an apalling state.
Our current house is over a hundred years old and should stand for some time yet.
I doubt these modern equivalents will be there in a century.
Then I noticed the huge amount of traffic.
Granted it was made up of the nine o’clock workers and the school run but I did wonder how much of it was really necessary.
We have a car but I have stopped using it for work. The walk is good for me and we buy less fuel and Gill will pick me up if the weather turns nasty.
Car Culture is something we’ve learned from the Americans but it doesn’t really apply here because the disatnces are so much smaller.
Most conurbations like ours are well served with tram/train and bus networks and a mile walk is easily done in 20-30 minutes for the average person. Short trips are the real factor though with people bobbing to the shops or to school when the walk may be only 5 to 10 minutes.
It seems an odd choice to make: contributing to the destruction of your environment and your own physical health by simply being lazy.
The eye test was fine by the way. A photo of the backs of my eyes showed nothing. My prescription is a little stronger but not enough to matter. Life in the old dog yet.
Gill’s birthday today. We gave her presents and cards including a toaster from our little worker. Heather loves to splash her newly earned cash. Flowers later and clothes when she’s whittled her weight down a bit more.
Have a good day.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
