The Chinese MG3, having sat around in the snow too long, required a decent run to exercise the parts, since cars, like human beings, are not designed to sit, but to move, and so we both set off down South to check the motorways and dual carriageways to see if they were still working in these times when humans are advised to stay inside to avoid a deadly virus, which, as we're told, loves to wander in the Sun just looking for hosts out and about and scared by warnings from our kind, compassionate Government and their corrupt advisors with shares in drug companies, not to mention newspapers with full page colour ads paid for through our taxes ... whoops! did I write "kind, compassionate"? that should read "cruel, evil and neo-fascist" to be accurate ...
Basingstoke was the destination, which perplexes people who know it ... designed to keep vehicles separate from pedestrians and cyclists, it's a challenge for drivers without satnav since the roads tend to go in circles ... pedestrians, however, have paths, many shared with cyclists, who mostly move faster than walkers, who are often about with canine friends and happy to talk to strangers, especially when the opening gambit is: "Excuse me, I'm lost, I wonder if you can help me?" This frequently leads on to other questions, including obvious questions such as: "So, would you agree that we are living in a fascist regime, and it's about time the Resistance came out and just resisted the silly orders and basically said: "No thank you"; no masks, no arbitrary social distancing, no fist bumping or cold shouldering ... maybe a handshake or a hug - why not?"
Whilst Daisy had a well earned rest, the friend from school who moved East from Dorset shared stories of other friends, though her memories of them was superior to mine for sure. Listening intently to her story of how she moved from plenty to less, via a marriage and two male children, both living in Basingstoke, plus their Dad nearby ... all on good terms and now in four houses, one each ... the younger child, now a man of course, arrived to discuss issues of current concern, including the need for Resistance as outlined above.
A very early return ensured roads clear enough to avoid jams and Daisy made the trip on one tank and one brief stop for relief and a chat with a professional trucker about the need for Resistance and a firm handshake. After a full day's rest for me and Daisy deciding to book a service due to issues of her own, a friend lent her car for a full day's run to Scotland to see elder daughter for walks and talks, including the need for Resistance ... and by sheer coincidence her next door neighbour held similar views ... after hugs all round the return over the hills was fine and after a sleep we set off for a shorter trip to Newcastle to see younger daughter for a walk and visit to see her new house ... a project really since she and her Mum enjoy doing houses up after securing bargains in need of repair ... more hugs and talk of Resistance, including with random strangers in the Park. .. plus a brief chat with the celebrity manager of the football team, looking rather sad since many fans have turned against him due to poor results and a flirt with relegation ...
All in all, a busy week, observing the motorway signs to minimise travel on the gantrys along with advice for truckers going abroad to pull over for covid reasons ... and don't start on the Smart Motorways with no hard shoulder to create an extra lane ... seems safe enough, as long as you don't break down!
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