The average UK worker endures almost an hour a day commuting.
For me, it’s rather more than that. I live in Shropshire and work in Surrey. Both glorious British counties. Separated by 170 miles.
I’m not complaining. Not today. Not when things look like this – see pic – once you’ve arrived home safe and sound.
Commutes aren’t usually this idyllic. The weather’s nearly always worse… especially in March. And it’s likely that something at work – or home – is playing on your mind as you shuffle slowly between the two. Usually in traffic.
But after doing this weekly commute for 13 years, I’ve had time to make peace with it and also better optimise the experience. Transform it from an obligation slightly dreaded… to something more appreciated.
Driving a car you love – and that suits you – makes for far better motoring.
My original Surrey-bound chariot was a Fiat 500 supermini. A cute, quirky little thing. Fun and reliable… but rattly and always a bit fragile next to the HGVs. Nicely cheap on fuel though.
A few years on my finances were in better shape and my teeth were fed up with the rattling. So I splashed out on the old Jag pictured here – a similar model to the one my Dad had when new, 28 years ago.
The three-hour journey was transformed. I was in a car I adored. And after some light restoration and with ongoing attentive maintenance she runs better than something her age has any right to.
But it’s not just the machinery.
Shifting my departure times to miss the worst traffic is equally transformational.
This means getting up super early to be away by 4am and in the office by 7. Don’t panic… it’s only once a week. And it helps I’m an early bird and don’t despise being up when everyone else is enjoying 3 hours more sleep.
Then on the return leg a few days later I either leave at midday… or cruise home between 6-9pm when most people are off the roads and enjoying their evening.
It’s not always about the destination. It can also be about how you get there. Experience has taught me that the journey itself is worth optimising. Minimise traffic. Love the car.
You stop enduring the commute and start owning it.
Andrew Greenhalgh 