(no subject)
I'm not altogether sure how long this journal will continue. There has been very little evidence of outside interest so far, perhaps because this site is based in the US? Perhaps it is because I'm too dull? I don't know. I reckon part of the reason so few people write letters/e-mails these days is because they think their lives are too dull to be interesting to others. At least I'm pro-actively dull!
It is, in any case, compromised because I can't be quite so open with readers as I am with my paper-based diaries for fear of weirdos misusing the information.
There are people who say that such blogs/journals are narcissistic. Not surprising as they also say you get more right-wing as you get older...
Oh never mind. Today we attended Boysie's longest-standing female friend's birthday. It's absolutely right and fine that Boysie was there as they are still the best of friends. It's harder for us parents, however, as her parents are both members of the police force - no problem in the UK of course, where such people are deserving of every respect and assistance. In Germany, however, policemen and women appear to be out to try to catch you out as and when you step remotely out of line.
The journey out to the party was one of the most boring of my driving career. Driving at the applicable speed limits throughout, I was stopped by every set of traffic lights. This is really something they should sort out. Theoretically, the self-confident, arrogant gits on the road know that they can catch and pass other, less clever and able drivers by sticking to the speed limits and being good citizens.
There was none of that today. The other two cars in our "convoy" - including the policeman - went through "deep amber" lights whereas I had to stop. They are talking about enforcing a top speed of 70 or 80 mph on Germany's motorways in the interests of the environment. This is a nonsense because fuel consumption increases a) with increased speed but also b) during harsh acceleration and c) harsh braking. Also, if you're stuck in a traffic jam, you're also using more fuel.
So attacking the unlimited speeds of Germany's Autobahns is likely to produce only limited benefits. Take, for instance, our journey to the ferry in Holland. At 70 mph average or so, it takes eight hours ish. At average speeds of 80-100 mph, it takes six hours. I may use half a litre more diesel per hundred kilometres but I'm on the road for two hours less, thereby avoiding two hours' further pollution, irritation and being an obstruction to other drivers.
Taking mpg alone into consideration just isn't enough. Germany without unrestricted Autobahns... whatever next? Overpriced beer/alcohol? Tourists won't visit here just for the pedantic policemen and queues at the job centres you know.
It is, in any case, compromised because I can't be quite so open with readers as I am with my paper-based diaries for fear of weirdos misusing the information.
There are people who say that such blogs/journals are narcissistic. Not surprising as they also say you get more right-wing as you get older...
Oh never mind. Today we attended Boysie's longest-standing female friend's birthday. It's absolutely right and fine that Boysie was there as they are still the best of friends. It's harder for us parents, however, as her parents are both members of the police force - no problem in the UK of course, where such people are deserving of every respect and assistance. In Germany, however, policemen and women appear to be out to try to catch you out as and when you step remotely out of line.
The journey out to the party was one of the most boring of my driving career. Driving at the applicable speed limits throughout, I was stopped by every set of traffic lights. This is really something they should sort out. Theoretically, the self-confident, arrogant gits on the road know that they can catch and pass other, less clever and able drivers by sticking to the speed limits and being good citizens.
There was none of that today. The other two cars in our "convoy" - including the policeman - went through "deep amber" lights whereas I had to stop. They are talking about enforcing a top speed of 70 or 80 mph on Germany's motorways in the interests of the environment. This is a nonsense because fuel consumption increases a) with increased speed but also b) during harsh acceleration and c) harsh braking. Also, if you're stuck in a traffic jam, you're also using more fuel.
So attacking the unlimited speeds of Germany's Autobahns is likely to produce only limited benefits. Take, for instance, our journey to the ferry in Holland. At 70 mph average or so, it takes eight hours ish. At average speeds of 80-100 mph, it takes six hours. I may use half a litre more diesel per hundred kilometres but I'm on the road for two hours less, thereby avoiding two hours' further pollution, irritation and being an obstruction to other drivers.
Taking mpg alone into consideration just isn't enough. Germany without unrestricted Autobahns... whatever next? Overpriced beer/alcohol? Tourists won't visit here just for the pedantic policemen and queues at the job centres you know.