I have absolutely no idea of what to write tonight, so I'm delving into my box of Dev's prompt cards.
This one reads:
"Can you drive? Fly a plane? Ride a bike? How did you learn? Who have you taught? Do you enjoy train travel? Always up for a bus ride, or are you a keen walker? Have you been in a helicopter, an ambulance or traveled by horse and cart? Are you an Uber driver? Do you remember tram conductors? Do you have something to write about ticket inspectors? Is taking ferries part of your life or have they been in the past? Walking in transport, right?
Your reflections, opinions, memories, and preferences about transport please my darling."
Okay, I can do this.
I love transport, and with the exception of suburban buses, I love most of them, mainly because transport takes you places.
I'll break this down.
I have been driving since the age of ten - first of all tractors, then I learned to drive in a car around the age of 14. Remember, I grew up on the back roads of Myponga, and shifting cars around, picking up milk from the neighbours - little trips. Job runs. As one of the cars was automatic, I first learned in that, then moved onto the three-on-the-tree Valiant wagon we had at the time. Mrs Gwennie, our bus driver showed me how to change gears in a manual. Yes, I can drive a manual. I pride myself on being able to drive nearly anything. I find driving relaxing. I love long car journeys. Driving is good - though I'd never drive an Uber. I'm not one for the general public.
I've given my friend Geetangeli a few driving lessons. The last one took place in a car park in Christchurch. She's been driving manuals for years - never an automatic. I had a hire car at the time, so we found this empty car park on the Sunday morning and I let her do a few laps. Easiest driving lessons ever, not that she's got behind the wheel of an automatic since, but we proved it was easy, and she has the confidence that these vehicles won't stop her for driving them in the future. I mean, they are a bit set and forget, but I do understand her apprehension.
I'm a keen walker. Sneakers are my preferred mode of transport in cities.
I can't fly a plane, but I'm sure if I asked nicely, my uncle might offer to teach me - though I'm not fond of the thought of small planes - the bigger the better.
Yes I've been in a helicopter, but I was on holiday in New Zealand in the eighties. I've also been in a balloon - 40th birthday present from the guys at work. That was awesome. I've been in an ambulance. I was an ambulance cadet as a teenager, so we got to be in the ambulances at local events. I was also transported from on hospital to another after day surgery - nothing nefarious, in fact it felt like overkill. I could have walked the 600 meters, but that's not the protocol.
I don't remember tram conductors, but I remember them on the trains in Adelaide when I was a teenager. As for ticket inspectors - I suppose somebody has to do the job. They used to be a lot more confrontational - they seem to have softened their stance since COVID. I've never had a run in with them. I'm good at tapping on.
In an ideal world, I would take a ferry to work. Though I could never live in Sydney, I adore taking the ferry. I love the romance, the sitting out on deck feeling the sea spray and sunshine and the vibrations of the motors below deck. Ferries are a great way to get around.
But I love trains. I’ve always love trains. I remember when my grandmother used to take me to watch the level crossings when I was a young child. I would’ve been a train spotter if that.Had been allowed to manifest further. But trains are great, Whether they be the London underground or the Paris Metro, long journey through Europe, there a quick ride on a suburban train. I love that he just have to sit there and you get taken to where you need to go. You don’t have to think about it, you just get on and sit down and your mind is your own for the duration of the ride.
I think I like to keep moving.
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