Comments on: Going carless and carefree

By: CAROL MEISSNER

CAROL MEISSNER — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:48:56 +0000

Hello Rachel and Malcolm, I always look forward to what you have to say. It’s provocative and interesting. Wonder how you are going to do your tour work, Malcolm, without your car. It was such a welcome sight when Barbara and I first saw you waiting for us. A part of me feels sad that you no longer have it. Still, I always wish you well in all your endeavors and wish to add words of encouragement to spark your hearts as you do what you consider best. Thank you for being part of my life experience. Joy and love, Carol

By: Big Bucks Auto

Big Bucks Auto — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:10:09 +0000

Bravo, guys. It’s a tough step, but a bold one indeed. I’m a New Yorker who buys cars for a living and I first joined the car-free lifestyle when I noticed how many people would come in looking to free themselves of their car. They would act like a weight was being lifted off of them. Of course, in NYC, it’s much easier to make that leap because of the existing mass transportation set-up – but more and more people are riding their bikes in NYC every day. I’ve been blogging lately about transportation issues at Big Bucks Auto. Check it out if you’re interested

By: brandarling

brandarling — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:34:06 +0000

Bravo! Living in London Zone 3 we have no use for a car, and despite my California roots I never miss it. Of course, we have far more resources within walking distance than you do (Tube, bus, supermarket, gym, even my work is only 1 mile away).

I often wonder what we would do if we moved away from here. I’m fairly certain that our default would be to get a car. But I want to continue on foot, bicycles and public transport as long as we can. I like the different point of view, the slower journey – maybe not the rain so much, though!

Good luck with your endeavour.

By: Darcy Prince

Darcy Prince — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:06:01 +0000

Wow. I am impressed. I am too chicken even to sign up for No Impact Week and leave the car in the garage for 7 days. Congratulations on taking the leap. I’ll be very interested to hear how it goes.

By: malcolm

malcolm — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:17:33 +0000

Malcolm (me) is home after a quick and successful trip into town.

Rachel couldn’t believe it when I came in through the door, dripping wet but smiling! I walked up the drive to the road (takes about 5 minutes) and got a lift from the second vehicle up to Brig o’ Waithe, two miles away. From here I could have caught the bus due in 15 minutes but instead I hitched and 10 minutes later I was at the Bank in Stromness. Deposited money, trotted off to the butchers for a good chat and excellent meat (Fletts in Stromness), then up to the Coop. Filled rucksack with goodies and walked for 5 minutes out the Cairston road where a nice man picked me up and kindly took the Orphir road to Kirkwall so he could drop me off at my road end. Home before the real rain arrived.

And that is another point, learning to pay attention to the weather and nature, adjusting how you live, when you do things, to fit in with nature, instead of living life by the ticking clock and battling through regardless. I knew the rain was coming in, I could see it in the clouds, so I got up off my behind and into town, and back again. We are now sat here eating as the rain hammers on the windows and a grey mist drifts across the fields. I must tell you, we are smiling and energised. That is the outcome of this little adventure, far more than the money and carbon saved and people met – it is how it makes you feeeel.

A special thank you to the drivers who gave me lifts. I hope I was good company. See you out there again soon – look out for the green jacket! Malcolm