It wasn't good news.
My car is now in the garage. I think I have travelled at least the length of London today - to car, on tow truck to garage and then to work.
Phew!
Luckily we have good friends so it is easy to re-arrange the school rota.
It is also lucky that today is a Friday and next week is half term. Otherwise there would have been all sorts of issues to deal with.
At least I get a break for just over a week now but I did miss spending time with my son this morning. That is the greatest benefit of the morning school run.
Friday 30 May 2014
Thursday 29 May 2014
Limp Mode
I learnt something new today.
My car which is new (not new new but new to me) developed a fault on route this morning. If felt as if the engine would cut out at any moment. I had to keep revving the engine to make sure it wouldn't stall. I was convinced if it stalled then it would not start again.
We made it and early and with relief I parked the car.
It was not an easy journey and especially not to transmit any worry to my little passengers who were more concerned with what music to play and tissues to wipe their noses. I made a joke of it at the end saying that the car was not well and had a cold. That was accepted without question.
We had a longer walk in than normal but they enjoyed the change and were well behaved.
I found out later that my car went into limp mode to protect it and was perfectly safe to drive (even if it did not feel that way).
I will call the emergency response mechanics at the RAC later - hopefully it will be just a case of resetting the engine codes. We shall see..........
My car which is new (not new new but new to me) developed a fault on route this morning. If felt as if the engine would cut out at any moment. I had to keep revving the engine to make sure it wouldn't stall. I was convinced if it stalled then it would not start again.
We made it and early and with relief I parked the car.
It was not an easy journey and especially not to transmit any worry to my little passengers who were more concerned with what music to play and tissues to wipe their noses. I made a joke of it at the end saying that the car was not well and had a cold. That was accepted without question.
We had a longer walk in than normal but they enjoyed the change and were well behaved.
I found out later that my car went into limp mode to protect it and was perfectly safe to drive (even if it did not feel that way).
I will call the emergency response mechanics at the RAC later - hopefully it will be just a case of resetting the engine codes. We shall see..........
Wednesday 28 May 2014
Size matters....sort of
Have you ever wondered why so many parents (mainly mothers) have giant cars?
Unless they transport lots of children I can't see any purpose except as a fashion symbol. That is really annoying.
Don't get me wrong. I like big cars and drive one myself (but for me this was planned and has the future in mind) but is an enormous 4x4 really necessary??
I know it comes down to choice and each to his own but sadly in a material society such as ours fashion and accessory speaks over practical and sensible.
While that continues the fashion parade of such cars will continue in the school parking lot.
Unless they transport lots of children I can't see any purpose except as a fashion symbol. That is really annoying.
Don't get me wrong. I like big cars and drive one myself (but for me this was planned and has the future in mind) but is an enormous 4x4 really necessary??
I know it comes down to choice and each to his own but sadly in a material society such as ours fashion and accessory speaks over practical and sensible.
While that continues the fashion parade of such cars will continue in the school parking lot.
Tuesday 27 May 2014
The new Monday
Today is Tuesday and not Monday.
Like Garfield I hate Mondays.
Thankfully today, which due to the bank holiday, is the start of the working/school week and didn't feel like a Monday at all.
Half term for us is next week but for many schools it is this week. That would explain why it took 20 minutes to get to school.
It is such a pleasure when the journey is easy and it almost has that holiday feeling too.
Unfortunately, there will always be a Monday but for now that is days away. Here's hoping the rest of the week is as chilled out as today.
Like Garfield I hate Mondays.
Thankfully today, which due to the bank holiday, is the start of the working/school week and didn't feel like a Monday at all.
Half term for us is next week but for many schools it is this week. That would explain why it took 20 minutes to get to school.
It is such a pleasure when the journey is easy and it almost has that holiday feeling too.
Unfortunately, there will always be a Monday but for now that is days away. Here's hoping the rest of the week is as chilled out as today.
Friday 23 May 2014
Roll on
I definitely had that Friday feeling again today.
Everyone seemed to be in a good mood today which made for a pleasant ride into school.
Roll on the long weekend and a nice break for me.
Everyone seemed to be in a good mood today which made for a pleasant ride into school.
Roll on the long weekend and a nice break for me.
Thursday 22 May 2014
The open road
"Here I am on the road again..." Metallica, Turn the page
Back to normal this morning. I had listened to this song last night which is particularly awesome and apt as I am on the road every morning.
I don't feel awesome today (for reasons unrelated to the school run) but it is helpful to gain strength from these sources to help you through the day.
If I get to the "Everything is Awesome" level a la Lego Movie then things will be cool. As it is I am in a dark and brooding place and for now Metallica fits perfectly.
Back to normal this morning. I had listened to this song last night which is particularly awesome and apt as I am on the road every morning.
I don't feel awesome today (for reasons unrelated to the school run) but it is helpful to gain strength from these sources to help you through the day.
If I get to the "Everything is Awesome" level a la Lego Movie then things will be cool. As it is I am in a dark and brooding place and for now Metallica fits perfectly.
Wednesday 21 May 2014
That Special Day
Today is my birthday. I am not going to tell you how old I am (I am not old) and my hair has not turned grey or white yet or fallen out.
I do not feel older but I feel wiser (that's what experience of life brings).
I thought like most other birthdays of mine I would be greeted with rain as is normally the case. To see glorious (well semi-glorious) sunshine this morning was a real treat and a surprise especially given the forecast was to be rain.
I even got to choose what to listen to in the car this morning (or rather I decided enough with the children's songs for just one day).
I think I may have even found a new part of my route to school - but I will explore that another day.
Today is my day and I will enjoy it (even though I have to work). If the sun still shines and it is as I write I will go for a long wander at lunch today and think of the birthday cake that awaits my return from work!
I do not feel older but I feel wiser (that's what experience of life brings).
I thought like most other birthdays of mine I would be greeted with rain as is normally the case. To see glorious (well semi-glorious) sunshine this morning was a real treat and a surprise especially given the forecast was to be rain.
I even got to choose what to listen to in the car this morning (or rather I decided enough with the children's songs for just one day).
I think I may have even found a new part of my route to school - but I will explore that another day.
Today is my day and I will enjoy it (even though I have to work). If the sun still shines and it is as I write I will go for a long wander at lunch today and think of the birthday cake that awaits my return from work!
Tuesday 20 May 2014
Coolness personified
"Everybody be cool, you be cool" - George Clooney, From Dusk till Dawn
Sometimes incidents happen and you just need to keep a cool head. It is tempting to shout and remonstrate but I always find a cool head is the best solution in even the most exacting situations.
Not that my passengers really misbehave but on occasion acting in a calm manner can difuse any potential teeny explosions.
Sometimes incidents happen and you just need to keep a cool head. It is tempting to shout and remonstrate but I always find a cool head is the best solution in even the most exacting situations.
Not that my passengers really misbehave but on occasion acting in a calm manner can difuse any potential teeny explosions.
Monday 19 May 2014
Waiting for the hand to turn
"With great power comes great responsibility" - Peter Parker's Uncle Ben in Spiderman.
As a parent on the school run I feel I have this great responsibility. I need to make sure that I rise extra early (and that means ensuring the alarms are set and I actually do get up when they go off) so that all the necessary preparation prior to leaving home can be carried out and we can leave on time.
Although I have to get up for work anyway, before I can think of the office I have to make sure that my child and other I take on a rota are ready, get picked up, are transported to school, navigate to the playground and are safely delivered into the arms of their teachers.
There is no clock watching waiting for the time to turn before the day can start - the clock watching is making sure I carry out my responsibilities on time.
(It would probably really annoy me if I actually had a real clock as opposed to a digital one to watch - as if you are like me - I would feel like hitting it to get rid of the tick-tock sounds. Thanks digital world)
As a parent on the school run I feel I have this great responsibility. I need to make sure that I rise extra early (and that means ensuring the alarms are set and I actually do get up when they go off) so that all the necessary preparation prior to leaving home can be carried out and we can leave on time.
Although I have to get up for work anyway, before I can think of the office I have to make sure that my child and other I take on a rota are ready, get picked up, are transported to school, navigate to the playground and are safely delivered into the arms of their teachers.
There is no clock watching waiting for the time to turn before the day can start - the clock watching is making sure I carry out my responsibilities on time.
(It would probably really annoy me if I actually had a real clock as opposed to a digital one to watch - as if you are like me - I would feel like hitting it to get rid of the tick-tock sounds. Thanks digital world)
Friday 16 May 2014
Bugbear #2
Width restrictions - don't you just hate them!
Although this morning was the pleasure a Friday morning normally is and with the added bonus of glorious sunshine - my journey today would have been 10 minutes shorter had a width restriction mid route not have been present.
The reason for it was to ensure two separate bus lanes - just for a bus stop - could be separated from the regular traffic. And what happens if a motorist loses patience and drives through the bus lane? Snap - a nice fine. There is an enforcement camera for us to say cheese to.
It is only a money making exercise and those that be must surely realise that tailbacks etc will result. They probably do but don't care. They know there will be stupid motorists who will ignore the warning and in the process line the Council's coffers with more money to waste on pointless repairs and other inane projects.
Of course, I could drive another way but with any route you want to drive the quickest and shortest way and until I find an alternative I will just have to grin and bear it!
Enjoy the sunshine and the weekend ahead.
Although this morning was the pleasure a Friday morning normally is and with the added bonus of glorious sunshine - my journey today would have been 10 minutes shorter had a width restriction mid route not have been present.
The reason for it was to ensure two separate bus lanes - just for a bus stop - could be separated from the regular traffic. And what happens if a motorist loses patience and drives through the bus lane? Snap - a nice fine. There is an enforcement camera for us to say cheese to.
It is only a money making exercise and those that be must surely realise that tailbacks etc will result. They probably do but don't care. They know there will be stupid motorists who will ignore the warning and in the process line the Council's coffers with more money to waste on pointless repairs and other inane projects.
Of course, I could drive another way but with any route you want to drive the quickest and shortest way and until I find an alternative I will just have to grin and bear it!
Enjoy the sunshine and the weekend ahead.
Thursday 15 May 2014
In the way
This is a bugbear of many - the cyclist.
I know they have every right and the same rights to be there on the road as us car drivers but to me they can be the most annoying part of any run in to school.
The road ahead is clear yet you have a lone cyclist blocking up the road ahead because quite understandably his/her leg power cannot match that of an engine.
Of course we cannot have cycle lanes everywhere and they cannot ride on the pavement but there have been countless time where a queue of traffic has formed behind a cyclist while we all wait to safely pass.
Even the kids get annoyed when they can't "go fast." There is a palpable relief when we do eventually pass and the journey can proceed as normal.
Thankfully, this is a rare occurrence but annoying when it does hinder a free run in.
I know they have every right and the same rights to be there on the road as us car drivers but to me they can be the most annoying part of any run in to school.
The road ahead is clear yet you have a lone cyclist blocking up the road ahead because quite understandably his/her leg power cannot match that of an engine.
Of course we cannot have cycle lanes everywhere and they cannot ride on the pavement but there have been countless time where a queue of traffic has formed behind a cyclist while we all wait to safely pass.
Even the kids get annoyed when they can't "go fast." There is a palpable relief when we do eventually pass and the journey can proceed as normal.
Thankfully, this is a rare occurrence but annoying when it does hinder a free run in.
Wednesday 14 May 2014
Bump cars
Today's journey should have been quite promising given the sun was shining brightly for the first time in ages.
Sadly, it was not. The traffic snaked back longer than normal and when that happens you know something further down the line is holding things up.
My little one, who is growing more perceptive all the time, correctly predicted the problem was due to bump cars.
Lo and behold there was a large truck that had presumably hit a car and the two drivers were out on the inside lane exchanging details.
Of course as he said to me it was not good to bump cars.
Despite this hindrance we were only fractionally late and the sunshine kept us all in good spirits for the rest of the way.
Sadly, it was not. The traffic snaked back longer than normal and when that happens you know something further down the line is holding things up.
My little one, who is growing more perceptive all the time, correctly predicted the problem was due to bump cars.
Lo and behold there was a large truck that had presumably hit a car and the two drivers were out on the inside lane exchanging details.
Of course as he said to me it was not good to bump cars.
Despite this hindrance we were only fractionally late and the sunshine kept us all in good spirits for the rest of the way.
Tuesday 13 May 2014
Shortcuts
Isn't it great when we find a new route or a short cut that shaves a few minutes off our journey in the morning?
This happened the other day. I have been travelling the same route with slight variations consistently. One day I was faced with a snarling tailback mid-route and I thought: "if I turn down here, will it help?" It did and now my journey is slightly quicker.
Conversely, if I travel the same route after work on my journey home it takes longer. So I take the longer route which is actually shorter!
With our children though, unlike the roads, there are no shortcuts.
This happened the other day. I have been travelling the same route with slight variations consistently. One day I was faced with a snarling tailback mid-route and I thought: "if I turn down here, will it help?" It did and now my journey is slightly quicker.
Conversely, if I travel the same route after work on my journey home it takes longer. So I take the longer route which is actually shorter!
With our children though, unlike the roads, there are no shortcuts.
Monday 12 May 2014
That Mr Anderson.....
One of my favourite quotes from a movie is the line from the Matrix where Agent Smith says to Keanu Reaves' character Neo: " That Mr Anderson is the sound of inevitability."
As one is prone to consider life when faced with the monotonous crawl through traffic before 8am in the morning, it got me thinking that this run into school is the inevitable - that is here are all these people going about their daily routines again and again and again - something that we all have to do whether we like it or not. The children have to get to school.
There was a further scene from the above film where Neo, having been made aware of his true position in life, sees his former life from a detached point of view.
I felt a little like that this morning. I began to wonder what are all these other people doing, where are they going, are they themselves having surreal thoughts about what else is out there on the morning run other than getting from A to B as quick as possible.
Luckily for me, today proved to be anything other than inevitable that for a Monday morning I actually arrived at school much earlier than normal.
As one is prone to consider life when faced with the monotonous crawl through traffic before 8am in the morning, it got me thinking that this run into school is the inevitable - that is here are all these people going about their daily routines again and again and again - something that we all have to do whether we like it or not. The children have to get to school.
There was a further scene from the above film where Neo, having been made aware of his true position in life, sees his former life from a detached point of view.
I felt a little like that this morning. I began to wonder what are all these other people doing, where are they going, are they themselves having surreal thoughts about what else is out there on the morning run other than getting from A to B as quick as possible.
Luckily for me, today proved to be anything other than inevitable that for a Monday morning I actually arrived at school much earlier than normal.
Friday 9 May 2014
That Friday Feeling
Fridays, as opposed to Mondays, have a habit of making us feel good.
For some reason this also translates to less traffic in the mornings on the journey, happy children in the car and lots of happy faces in the playground upon arrival.
It is definitely due to the impending weekend and that infectious enthusiasm waiting for a school free day.
I suspect it is also because Friday appears to be, but it is often difficult to elicit a confirmation, that Fridays are the most fun day at school.
Enjoying those smiles is something to take into the day ahead. It is a shame we can't have four more Fridays in the week!
For some reason this also translates to less traffic in the mornings on the journey, happy children in the car and lots of happy faces in the playground upon arrival.
It is definitely due to the impending weekend and that infectious enthusiasm waiting for a school free day.
I suspect it is also because Friday appears to be, but it is often difficult to elicit a confirmation, that Fridays are the most fun day at school.
Enjoying those smiles is something to take into the day ahead. It is a shame we can't have four more Fridays in the week!
Thursday 8 May 2014
The Sound of Progress
Driving in the morning (and whilst stuck in a queue) gives you time to ponder life and the universe.
The sounds emanating from the back today made me smile. I have been doing the morning school run for 8 months now. I remember the first days and months when my little one (who acts and behaves like he is not so little) was just starting his primary education and his knowledge was in its infancy (excuse the pun). Fast forward to today and he is happily counting to 100 and then telling me he has reached his target (or one million billion).
It is amazing how fast they develop and learn at his age - and if anything can drive away the pelting rain and make you feel good - that is it.
I can't wait to see what happens in another eight months time.
The sounds emanating from the back today made me smile. I have been doing the morning school run for 8 months now. I remember the first days and months when my little one (who acts and behaves like he is not so little) was just starting his primary education and his knowledge was in its infancy (excuse the pun). Fast forward to today and he is happily counting to 100 and then telling me he has reached his target (or one million billion).
It is amazing how fast they develop and learn at his age - and if anything can drive away the pelting rain and make you feel good - that is it.
I can't wait to see what happens in another eight months time.
Wednesday 7 May 2014
The third Law of Averages
Isn't it just typical that when you are in a traffic jam - as is so often the case on a school run - your view from the traffic jam is obscured by a large van or a bus or truck!
The same happened to me again this morning - stuck behind one of London's great big red buses. And it always seems to be me - for some reason I just happen to arrive in the jam at the same time a bus etc pulls out in front of me.
All the more frustrating when you can't crane your neck around/over the obstruction in front to see what is holding everyone up.
Thankfully, buses have areas to pull into to stop so the obstruction was thankfully short-lived this morning.
I am sure there is a correlation between said obstructive bus and stress levels with clock watching and wishing you had perhaps left two minutes earlier. Maybe I will try that tomorrow.....
The same happened to me again this morning - stuck behind one of London's great big red buses. And it always seems to be me - for some reason I just happen to arrive in the jam at the same time a bus etc pulls out in front of me.
All the more frustrating when you can't crane your neck around/over the obstruction in front to see what is holding everyone up.
Thankfully, buses have areas to pull into to stop so the obstruction was thankfully short-lived this morning.
I am sure there is a correlation between said obstructive bus and stress levels with clock watching and wishing you had perhaps left two minutes earlier. Maybe I will try that tomorrow.....
Tuesday 6 May 2014
The Law of Averages
Well the long weekend had to end and there I was back in the car again transporting two (one mine and one not) to their school.
It seemed to me just typical that after a sunny break my first day back would be met with an overcast, dreary morning with intermittent rain. That is surely the first law of averages.
Secondly, isn't it so that when it rains everything seems to take that much longer... The same people are making the same journey at the same time of day yet for some reason we get stuck in a traffic jam.
Luckily, I had the welcome and pure distraction coming from back about princes and princesses.... and we still made it to school early.
It seemed to me just typical that after a sunny break my first day back would be met with an overcast, dreary morning with intermittent rain. That is surely the first law of averages.
Secondly, isn't it so that when it rains everything seems to take that much longer... The same people are making the same journey at the same time of day yet for some reason we get stuck in a traffic jam.
Luckily, I had the welcome and pure distraction coming from back about princes and princesses.... and we still made it to school early.
Saturday 3 May 2014
Welcome
Welcome to my new blog aiming to chart the experiences of us the minority of dads who find ourselves grimacing through early morning traffic ( mayhem) and occasionally stress free journeys to school.
More to follow soon..... ( after I enjoy my well earned weekend off from my duties!!!)
More to follow soon..... ( after I enjoy my well earned weekend off from my duties!!!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)