Normally I get around on my dependable little 50cc Moped, or cycle. But upon returning from a few days in Southampton last weekend, I had no alternative.
No one could pick me up from the Station, the last bus had gone (that’s at 1900hrs!) and I had two fairly heavy bags to carry. If I hadn’t had the bags I would have walked the 3.4 miles as I often have before.

So, a very rare Taxi ride was the only answer.

We covered the 3.4 miles in what seemed about 45 seconds. The driver had either been watching too many repeats of Kojak, or was simply speed happy.
I could see the meter ticking away upwards and was inclined to change my journeys end at somewhere a bit further away from my front gate, but I didn’t, we pulled up, “£6.70 please Mate” (why do they call you mate? Surely we are customers or clients and Sir would seem more appropriate).
As much as I hated it, I gave him £7 and said keep the change. That didn’t seem to go down too well either!

After about 4 days in shock mode, I couldn’t help thinking what that £7 could get me;
On my Moped, it would give me over 200 miles worth of Petrol – about 12 packets of seeds producing food for the winter and more, a new keyboard for the PC, chicken feed for 5 weeks, the list is endless.
To fly to somewhere like Alicante and back is only 4 times that amount on a good discount day.

I’m not saying the taxi isn’t worth it and I respect that people have to earn a living, but sometimes we spend money on some ‘luxury’ without really thinking what we could save by not buying it etc.

Many people take a taxi ride home from the Station or elsewhere every day of the working week. For me that would be £35 – with 4 weeks holiday a year, that would be £1680!
OK if you’re earning a good wage, but for us mere mortals, that’s a lot of money!

I like to think I’m sensible and frugal – but maybe I’m just jealous!