THE NEW CAR!

LEO

I have resolved the problem of going up the hill where I live. I researched and discussed with a neighbour the merits or otherwise of purchasing an invalidity scooter. See picture above. In view of the fact that I need independence and not have to be beholden to people for posting letters etc it seemed the most logical thing to do. So when the neighbour suggested a day to go looking I jumped at the chance.

We had thought we’d need to visit several outlets, however we struck lucky at the first one. The variety was enormous, but we managed to dwindle it down to two or three. I decided against having a three-wheeler, imagining a single front wheel would be easy to get stuck in ruts. I could have been wrong but a four wheeler made more sense to me. After all, I had driven a four-wheel car for many years. The colour was easy to choose, red being the colour of the car – and now the scooter. Looking at it another way, red was the most noticeable colour and other people needed to see me coming!!

I bought it and it was delivered next day. Insurance was dealt with by neighbour so I was free to go riding.

Only I didn’t!

I had to work myself up to take the plunge. I mean, what would people think if they saw me riding out on a scooter? Actually, nothing. It was all in my silly mind.

 A day later, after telling myself that if I didn’t get out and practice scootering I would never go out at all, I used Leo (the scooter’s name) to deliver Christmas cards to neighbours. Nervous? Yes! Going up driveways and having to reverse as well as go forward almost put me off, that is – until I gave myself a lecture along with a few expletives about how stupid I was. I had to use the thing to get accustomed to all the switches and what they do. So next day I went out to post some letters, a decent ride up and down hills to the nearest post box.

Several people wished me good morning, you don’t get that in a car!

I met few obstacles, but it was amazing how many drivers illegally park their cars half on the footpath and half in the road. I have seen articles in the press about this inconsiderate way of parking and the police are on the case. One white van was particularly difficult to get past … but I DID IT.

I handled it well, I thought, watching out for pot-holes and learning how to adjust speed. I felt I had achieved something. One thing I did learn, though, and that was to wear a warmer coat!