Summer Driving

Summer driving without airconditioning!

I have just completed a roundtrip journey of 500 kilometres. That is a tough slog without a/c, although my volvo is a real trooper, I really do miss the cooling system as it was. In fact it has two compressors. It was always so wonderful to push the button and have the first compressor kick in, followed a few minutes later by the second one. I suspect I need to replace them with new, but given the age of my car I most probably would be buying  secondhand. However, I am tempted!

The going out part of my journey was not bad as I left early in the morning when the breeze was soft and light. I was fresh and the temperature had not yet reached its nadir. I ate lightly and stopped at the two-hour mark for rest. When I arrived at my destination I was ready for business.

The return journey was a different story. I set off at the height of the sun's punishing heat with the air feeling like an airliner's exhaust. I drove north for a part of the way with the sun focused on me at an angle that roasted my left arm and cooked the left side of my face. That continued until I made a welcome right turn to the east that put the sun behind me. The greatest part of my journey was with the sun behind me, but the damage had been done. By the time I reached my home I was drained of energy and I was almost dehydrated.

That night I slept well and long. Travelling can really sap your energy. In my case I didn't even have the added stress of dealing with all those annoying little security people along the way.

Safe Summer driving to you all!

Copyright (c) 2013   Eugene Carmichael