The cost of fuel

There was a time in Spain when we had very little choice as to what price to pay for gas or diesel. We only had the opportunity to get excited when the dollar weakened against the euro, thereby driving down the price in euros. Perhaps we got a break if we shopped at Carrefour and spent enough on groceries or whatever so as to get a discount coupon.

Then one service station opened offering gas and diesel at ten cents below the market price. Some people rushed in and filled up but the rest of us held back. The word on the street was that what you got at the lower cost was fuel that was less refined and even dirty. We had visions of breaking down in the middle of nowhere with clogged fuel lines and all sorts of other problems. When there were no rumours of that happening the rest of us went for it.

I have been using the lower cost option for a couple of years and in spite of having a service station at the turn to my estate I am trying to think of a good reason why I should willingly pay the higher cost that they impose. I drive a Jag so in the course of a year we go through an awful lot of litres, and at ten cents a litre in savings it adds up to a significant amount.

This is a farming community and the loss of our service station would be a disaster for them as they need it for farm machinery, but I don't. I get my petrol from one of the many stations that have now sprung up as low cost and my car seems perfectly happy. If those guys can sell me lower cost fuel and include certain incentives to keep me coming back, such as free car wash, soft drinks, and air fresheners, why are the others unable to do the same?

I first assumed that they were stuck with contracts but it has been about three years since the introduction of the lower cost so surely it is about time. Meanwhile I appreciate the discount I get because fuel is my biggest expense, especially as at one time we had four cars in our family plus the use of a fifth people carrier.

I think I will not question matters too intensely. It works so no need to fix it!

Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael

Causing Death on the Road

Many years ago I helped my best buddy celebrate his birthday at a bar where we drank Pernod. The year before we had visited Paris and had met a couple of French girls who insisted we learnt how to drink this peculiar beverage. In remembrance of that great time we had we started with a normal quantity of the stuff in our glasses, and by the end of the night we had bought the whole bottle and possibly we had drunk it all.

Finally we were told we had to leave because it was about 4am and they wanted to close, so I decided to take the bottle with me. We then made our way to our  respective cars and we "drove" home. I use the term loosely because I don't remember a thing about the journey, so it was more a case of the car driving itself and we ended up in my yard where the motor stalled because it was in the wrong gear.
I simply fell asleep in the car, but later I was awakened as I was terribly uncomfortable as my face was red hot. It turned out to be the heat of the sunlight directly on me, so I went into the house and collapsed on the bed.

I awoke at 5pm, holding a bottle of ketchup, which I thought was the Pernod. My mouth was super dry and my head was pounding like a wrecking ball. I asked God to please let me live; I promised not to ever drink so much ever again, which tends to mean until the next time. At some point while feeling sorry for myself my thoughts turned to the previous night, and in particular I wondered how I got home.

The thought first came to me as a flash and I immediately banished it from my mind. "Did I kill anyone last night?" It would not stay banished and eventually I had to get up and go and inspect the car. It was the most difficult thing I have ever done and it sobered me up better than anything else I could have done.

I approached the car slowly and reluctantly. As I made my way around the car there was no evidence to suggest that I had struck anybody or anything. I deeply exhaled and I vowed there and then that I would never allow myself to become drunk again if I had to drive, and I never have. That was 55 years ago.

Today I don't even take one drink of an alcohol based drink if I have to drive, but going back 55 years ago, what if I had killed someone in the state I was in? The problem is that no.one deliberately sets out to get drunk and to go and kill a stranger with their car, but one drink says it's fine to have another, and two drinks and who knows when to stop. However, the person we kill remains dead for a long time and the family have a life sentence.

Now, in the U.K. the government have announced that a person who is deemed to be a killer driver will face the possibility of a life sentence in jail. Had I killed someone back then and had been given a life sentence would I have regarded that as a fair punishment?

I probably would not have on the grounds that it was not my intention to inflict that outcome on another person, and that I was suffering from diminished responsibility as the alcohol had taken over my senses. That was the truth, but the person would be just as dead and the family would grieve because of my actions.

So, what can be done? At the back end we now know that should we drink and drive and cause the ultimate we will go to jail and rot there. Therefore, there should be a strong educational program to say this is the way it is so just don't do it.

As the Department of Vehicles are so fond of saying; "You have been warned!"

Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael

Roadside Services

I suppose it's common sense but when we are enroute along a major motorway those services available to us by simply turning off the highway to a conveniently located commercial area will be priced at a premium. After all, we are almost a captive group. We need food and drink, together with a little rest and all those other impulse items that catch our eyes are must-haves.

A classic example concerns lunch. I had an experience where I could have pulled off the road and drove only a couple of kilometres to a small town where a full course lunch consisting of a salad, a starter, (usually as substantial as the main course), a main course, dessert. and a beverage, which might include wine or beer, all for 8.00 euros.

Along the highway I had lunch that comprised a plate of spare ribs with potatoes and a soft drink. Price: 14.95 euros. Had I continued along for another three kilometres I could have had the cheaper, and better option.

I suppose we can make some allowances for those locations that are remote as they have to haul their supplies some distance away from the main centres but in this case there was only three kilometres difference. Clearly this was just highway robbery.

We will also pay top price for our fuel. Across the country prices vary but along the highway there is only one price and that's the most expensive.

Finally, another good reason to make the effort to drive a little farther off the main highway is that often robbers hang around the parking lots to prey on the traveller. While the occupants of the car are in the restaurant the car is being hit by thieves, whereas in the small town that is not likely to happen. You would still take precautions to keep it as safe as possible.

Just a thought, especially for those of us who might be familiar with the areas. However, some of us have more money than concern for economy, in which case the merchants are waiting for you.

Copyright (c) 2017
Eugene Carmichael