DAY OFF

the may blossom wilts in the heat of the sun
beating down from its limitless blue sky
worms are grilled on pavements
skin swiftly flushes an angry red
the scorched asphalt melts my rubber tyres
on the way to the library...
i book a car for a week's break during h's half-term hols
the price comparisons are illuminating:
an advance purchase return ticket for the family
from brum to bristol
(about 140 miles)
costs 100 quid
renting a small family car for a whole week
(not including petrol) costs...
100 quid!
but interestingly
buy a new citroen c3 and run it for 3 years
and how much does that set ya back?
well according to which?
factor in depreciation
finance
servicing
fuel
insurance
and road tax
and it comes to a whopping 12200 squid
or about 80 squid a week
the conclusion?
why bother using public transport or buying a car
when you can rent one when you need it
and save all the hassle?...
we head over to king's heath
for lunch at the kitchen garden cafe
i go mediterranean
toasted pitta and mezze
hoummus
olives
sun-dried tomatos
washed down with refreshing citrusy organic blonde ale
the shop sells cheese-free pesto
fair trade organic coffee
vegan soap!
we buy birthday presents for hannah
a pink gardening set
trowel
fork
bucket
plant markers
she'll like that
she loves messing around in the garden
we cross the scruffy high street into poplar road
a french cafe with freshly baked bread
an oriental restaurant called blue ginger
we pick up some face paints for hannah
lots of little boutiquey shops
not too pricey
the shopowners sit out on the street continental-style
soaking up the rays
'manic organic' on the corner
looks like an old converted victorian pub
with a welcoming doorway set into the corner of the building
we duck in here for coffee
donovan's greatest hits are playing
sunshine superman
colours
mellow yellow
jennifer juniper...
sunny sixties music for sunny weather
from the magazine rack i pull out a 'clean slate'
published by cat
where i'm headed next month
to do a course on eco-refurbishment
there on page two is old peter harper
the beaming guru
warding off the coming apocalypse with his beautific smile
peter talked to us in november
about cat's radical zero carbon britain in 20 years proposal
will we do it?
probably not, he said cheerfully
i wonder what pete would think about my little price comparison
i know he'd smile when he heard about it!