Sunday, September 28, 2008

Driving Miss Daisy

Did I mention I now have a car? After giving up my treasured Renault Megane in 2003 so I could persue my writing, I am once again behind the wheel. One of the directors of the company, who asked me to become Emergency Receptionist, has lent me one of his cars. It's a Lipstick Red Toyota MR2. For the next few months, I get to call it mine.

I haven't driven in 5 years. Mind you, that hasn't stopped me voicing my opionions from the passenger's seat. But there's a whole world of difference between being a stroppy passenger commenting on the skills of the driver next to you and all around you, and being The Driver.

Every car has a personality, little quirks that making driving that car a unique experience. When I picked up the car with the Director, it would be true to say, I was bricking it. I drove back to Norwich very gingerly. I tried to get a feel for the car, who I've now named Red, and get a feel for driving again. The driving again was not as big a problem as I thought it would be. I can still guage distances and get a feel for speed, though I'm going to have to be very, very careful because she is a sneaky one. Acceleration is smooth, and effortless, one minute you're waiting at the roundabout, next you're on the other side, wondering where the BMW who'd been hogging your rear had gone. Oh yeah, he's still back there. Thirty seems like floating, and the only difference between 30 and 80 is the position of the hand on the speedometer. She's not keen on round the city driving, gets impatient and heavy; open roads for her, and for me.

I had forgotten the pure pleasure that comes with driving. The freedom. When I have to give her back, I'm going to have to get me one of those. I know I should think about being sensible, but you know what? Fuck that.

5 comments:

  1. Ooh, I know someone who has an MR2 (a blue one ;) ), and I did get to be driven around in it the other day...

    That's a NICE car!

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  2. colin ~ it certainly is. It's got a whole raft of quirks, but I'm loving driving her. How's Atlanta?

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  3. I'm sensing that trips to Waitrose may become a bit more frequent!!!!

    Glad the motor is going well - carefully does it with those handbrake turns though

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  4. Anonymous7:49 pm

    Sounds fab - we have a mini coooper and I don't drive it nearly enough...I rarely drive during the week and usually let the other half do the driving at weekend, really must get back into it

    I don't want to put you off the car but princess sister has one of those...

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  5. hottie ~ funny you should say that...i was there this afternoon, picking up some creme fraiche.

    NM ~ nice to see you back; or at least it was until you poured acid all over my dream car!

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