Wednesday, 19 March 2008

A lesson learned!

I'm one of these people that hates having to get petrol, and often drive around near the red, before I go to fill up. I have been like this since I have passed my test, and over the years have spent many times driving to and from places with my eyes glancing on the petrol gauge praying I will make it there without having to fill up or worse breaking down. So far I have got away with it, I have been lucky.... Until today!

I spent most of the morning huffing and puffing because I had ran of essential supplies and would have to go to the supermarket. After a bad night's sleep and an early wake up, this was the last thing I wanted to do! Especially as I knew I was low on petrol. I finally dragged myself out and made it over to the shop (passing a petrol station - I was not in the mood, and at £1.08!!! Please!)

Driving home I was feeling pretty pleased with myself not only had I managed to stock up on the weekly essentials, I had done a whole load of recycling that had been staring at me for weeks. I look at the clock on my car, 2pm, great a whole afternoon to get on with some sewing. I turn off the main road (passing another petrol station) I'm by now rejoicing as I have so nearly made it home and can leave it another day before I fill up! Hang on whats that chuddering? Oh no I am slowing down! Stop!

Of course there are cars behind me, and of course it would have to be a double yellow that I stop on, but at least I made it to the side. I phone a friend of my mum's and explain to him what has happened and does he have a petrol can he could bring over. He asks me where I am, I say, 2 minutes from the petrol station and 2 minutes from my house! **blush** (as by 2minutes I mean a 2minute walk)

As he fills up I am feeling so humiliated, as people walk past and grin, had I been facing the other way going towards the petrol station they may of had a little sympathy, but no this blonde girl in her battered golf was going the opposite way, and had clearly just passed the petrol station.

So whats the first thing I am going to do when I leave the house next? Go to the petrol station... although I do now have 5litres in there it might just get me to A. NO I would like to get back to B, so I WILL fill up, and let this be a lesson don't drive around below the red!

I am however now the proud owner of petrol can... of course that is empty too.

5 comments:

Focus on Life said...

Oh dear, what a day! But spare a thought for me...diesel was £1.13 when I put some in a few days ago!

Waterrose said...

OH that is funny. I have a friend like that and everytime I get in her car...I am nervous! Me...I can't let the needle get below the halfway mark ...and I have a hybrid...LOL

Tip Top said...

I've never been caught out! I'd been even worse cos most of my journeys are motorways with two kids in the back!!

trashalou said...

At least you have made a (possibly) concious decision to drive around low. My running out of fuel on a fairly regular basis is just down to stupidity!

Commiserations none the less and hope you are feeling beter soon.

hippyofdoom said...

I fear when (if) I pass my test I shall be the same!

I wish we didn't have to bother with petrol, that cars just "ran".