Can you drive anything?

[Pippa]

How many sorts of vehicles have you driven. My car, although not a 4 x 4 is high off the ground. I have just taken my daughter's car to be repaired, it feels as though I am sitting on the road! I sometimes drive a small tractor at work and used to volunteer drive a 16 seater bus taking elderly people on outings, I have also driven vehicles with column gear change and 'umbrella' handle type hand brakes. I just wondered about the rest of you.

[SummerSkye]

Automatic car only. I hate driving and have no confidence anymore. Too much traffic and everyone is too impatient and bad tempered.

[Crocus]

Hi, we have a automatic car, and then a manual Kombi for towing the caravan. Did a bit of towing in the past, but not anymore.

[eleanor2]

a bad subject for me. i have passed my test. hate driving.only drive if i'v really got to.

[Katelb]

Hi Pippa,I agree about being low down in a sloon car,ours is not a 4x4 either but so much higher than an ordinary car and it's great visibility isn't it. Drove a column change years ago in London, an automatic both her and in the states,but now its a manual gearbox and I love driving,in spite of all the road rage etc. Kate

[franbee]

I learnt to drive on the farm at 14, first a tractor then landrover. Since then we've had a Morris van, the small one, a multitude of cars, including a selection of automatics. I've driven a Transit van (to Rome and back) plus a Transit minibus to Orkney and back. We now have a Touran 7 seater diesel, plus a tiny car which is great for parking in towns, and a classic Porsche for weekends, though it's been naughty and might be sold. The Porsche is a beast to drive, not because it is powerful, but because you are so close to the ground and reclined, you can't see the front, and it has no power steering so is really difficult to handle, though OH says it improves when you exceed 85mph. Fran.

[Redstart]

Just my husband (or so he says)!

[keepersdaughter]

Don't think about driving, it's second nature now - getting from A to B. There is no public transport here in the town I live, but we do use golf carts to get about town - golf cart paths connect with most places (newish golfing community - though I don't golf, & husband doesn't have the time). I did teach both my children to drive and am pleased to say they both passed first time. My husband drove a Porche when I first met him, an old one admittedly - the car not the husband - I will admit the car was an added attraction at the time, but would agree it was a beast to drive. Currently I drive a large SUV (sports utility vehicle) a sort of 4 x 4 I suppose. Don't like driving it. It's like driving a tank. Husband bought it and got rid of my Volvo estate (a bit of a sore spot).

[Pippa]

Transit likewise, Franbee, had quite forgoten, drove 8 old ladies around the I.O.W. in a transit, one clamped in a wheelchair (the w.chair clamped, not the old lady) always wanting to stop for loo at inconvenient places. We did have a good timethough but the gear box seemed to have a mind of its own. I enjoy driving but must admit it is around country lanes mostly.

[franbee]

I love driving, having driven thousands of miles round France on hols, as long as I've a proper route or good navigator. (haven't got sat nav). OH is hopeless at navigating and I am good so we're a good team, he is such a cool driver, whereas I get a bit hot and flustered if I'm not sure where I am going.
OH had a lot of company cars, came home in a £45,000 mercedes one weekend so we all took it out for a ride. He went to his club, and whilst inside it snowed. When he opened the fancy electric boot, all the snow fell inside. He wasn't impressed, so the car went back. Fran.

[jazzactivist]

I love driving too, and in the past have driven a load of old bangers which I thoroughly enjoyed. My favourites were a string of old Fiat Pandas which I loved as it felt like spinning along in a tin can. They were great in all weathers, although pretty basic. I now have a brand new Fiat Panda which I like just as much, although it is more comfortable. I have driven a Bedford truck in the African jungle when I dis some work for an Aid agency, and a landrover which I really enjoyed too. I can't see the point of modern cars with all mod cons, I think that driving should be an interesting experience involving alertness and skill. I would love to have a camper van.

[franbee]

I agree Jazza, have drooled over camper vans, but they are very expensive and rather restrictive. Fran.

[Crocus]

Hi, I love to drive - takes after my dad. As long as I know where to go, I don't mind at all. Even did my bit of driving in the UK as well. On the M25, M6, A-roads, B-roads and lanes. Enjoyed it very much. Then hubby has to navigate, but goodness, he can't look down because of motion sickness! I've become really good (hm hm!) at navigating and we actually only got lost twice! You see, with 'your sun in the South' and 'our sun in the North', I'm forever confused whether we're driving in a western or eastern direction! Because here with us when you drive east, the sun is on our left hand side. Whereas with you guys the sun is on the right hand side! Confusing or what! But once I get my head round that, it's a cup of tea!

[sunflower]

I ride my bicycle everywhere when I am not out with Hubby in our white van that has seen most of the UK and Orkney. I also Kayak when the weather is warm. Other than that, I walk, but would love to learn to ride a horse.
Took my test for driving just two weeks before giving birth to no 4.Cheerfully failed. Was'nt my idea of fun. Anyway, I have night blindness and would be a liability!!!

[sunflower]

Ooh, forgot to mention. I do'nt ride just any old bikes. I luuuuve antique bikes. My latest is a black Raleigh 1950 3 speed. A nice ride. Before this I had theeee most gorgeous bottle green Raleigh 'all steel bicycle' made around 1950. Others liked it so much that it was stolen. I used to customize my seat, the front basket and the child's seat at the back. So just imagine, a bottle green beautifully shaped bike with green and pink shabby chick large floral pattern fabric inside the basket, on my seat and the child's seat. I used to ride around in a long skirt, and everybody staring! It's the only time that I have ever made an exibition of myself. Nowadays, I'm content to ride the bike, though still get people wanting the history of the bike. But I NEVER use a front basket now. SOOO uncool!!!! Just have a rucksack on my back....that reminds me of a song.....

[Crocus]

You know what me and hubby still would like to do - drive and tour in UK with one of these motorbikes with a side car (Two Fat Ladies?). :cool: Also to buy a campervan, and drive from John 'O Groates (Spelling) to Land's End. Zigzagging from one place to another. With time on our hands and of course a pound or two! Stay over where we want, for how long we want, etc. even if it means doing only 10 or 20 miles in a day with all the sightseeing there is to do! (Dream crocus, dream, you never know, it may just come
true zzzzzzzzzzzzz).

[sunflower]

Sounds a good dream to me Crocus, and one that could come true with careful planning.

[Crocus]

I really hope we will be able to do that one day - when the kids are on their own and sorted.