We joined a car club: Commonwheels. We completed all the paperwork before going over to Norwich 2 weeks ago, including sending our NC licenses over there for some sort of verification. They were returned to us forthwith along with the chip card to open a car.
Our plan: Gerty gets car and drives over to Eric's lab to collect him, then we go to John Lewis customer collection to pick up our TV and vacuum cleaner and then go back to the apartment to unload.
Adventure!
I reserve a car on-line. I walk 5 minutes to where car is parked. Right on street. I struggle to get car open. Man nearby comes over to ask, "how does this car share thing work anyway?" It is here I realize that I have no idea. I tell him, IDK and right now it does not appear to be very good thing. I struggle for what seems like 45 minutes but is probably only 4 or 5, then CLICK I have placed the card over the reader correctly and it magically opens. My new friend is happy for me.
Me? Joy turns to serious trepidation as I realize I have to drive A STICK SHIFT. Only thing worse may be a left-handed monkey wrench. I climb in and have a long conversation with myself. I start the car. Driving, I immediately realize, requires my full concentration along with a continuous dialogue: stay left, turn wide, there is so much car on my left side, stay left, turn wide, etc.
After a turn onto the main road and a bit of toodling, I think: this car sucks. Terrible pick-up. Stalls a lot. Lurches unexpectedly. After yet another stall over a speed bump it dawns on me that I am starting the car in 3rd gear. Oh.
I made it to the lab. Car behind me. Eric is delighted.
Our new vacuum and TV.
Shot by Eric whilst I was driving to Blakeney. Driving on the left is different....
Already we have car lust.....and interesting neighbors.
We can see this Fiat from our kitchen.
ONWARDS!
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