With the cost of fuel/oil etc continuously rising could you live without a car or is it an essential part of your life, a car is just like a big money box always putting into it getting little out of it!!
Well sorry IAP, but I do have to say bicycle. I manage to wobble along country lanes with bags slung from the handlebars and have not so far been squashed, although I hate WITH A VENGEANCE speeding white vans, the drivers usually on a handheld mobile phone, and probably sniffing phlegm and calling everybody MATE.
I wish I could but it isn't realistic. I live a mile away from the nearest bus stop which is okay and I could cope but I have to work until 9.30 some nights and the bus would get me to the stop at 10.30. I'm not a nervous sort but a mile along an unlit road in the middle of winter at that time of night is not my idea of fun! If bus services were improved I would use it more often.
However this week I have had to go out and about to various meetings so I would still need a car. I also use it to ferry my 80 year old mother around.
p.s. IAP, I know ypur part of the world very well (e.g. Broad Oak Brede and surrounding lanes), and I envy you so much living in the countryside. Enjoy it, revel in it.
I need my car, I travel to work 54 miles each direction, 2-3 times a week. Hubby works from home, unable to sell our house to relocate so I need to travel by car.
I am definitely a public transport person and will use it wherever possible bus to/from work every day and trains to meetings etc. All my colleagues drive everywhere and think I am a loon.
When it comes to the weekends or the odd meeting in the back end of beyond (Wisbech, Kings Lynn etc), I need my car otherwise it is a 15 hour day. And I'm not that keen.
So, no I wouldn't do without it so I couldn't love without it.
I reckon Gordon brown should give us all a big pay rise to compensate for all the price rises.They seem to give themselves extra income,but less on us joe public.
But, to answer your question, I could just about survive without a car.