A quiet drive

[Valkie]

Today, I had to drive from the central coast down to Woolongong.

I decided I was going to make it a nice quiet comfortable trip.
No getting angry, giving way to all and sundry and generally enjoying the drive.

I set out sticking to the speed limit by my speedo and in the left lane on the freeway.
Horns honking around me disturbed the peace somewhat, so I cranked up Vivaldi and continued on my merry way.
Going up from Ourimbah hills, I found the need to go around several trucks sitting on a snails pace, bringing forth many more horns from drivers rapidly changing lanes and gesticulating madly as they swerved around me.
I waved and smiled at them.

On the downhill runs, I found the trucks I had just overtaken screaming past, they have quite loud horns, don't they?
But in the spirit of things I gave a friendly toot of my horn.
As we started up out of the Moony Moony bridge, I found myself again overtaking them, while sticking meticulously to the speed limit.
Again cars around he honked and flashed their headlights in what I can only assume to be congratulations for maintaining the speed limit.

This exercise was repeated several times as I drove down the M1 toward Sydney.
many friendly tooting of horns and wild gesticulations later we reached Pennant Hills Road.

As I drove down Pennant Hills Road I found many drivers again tooting their horns in congratulatory exuberance as I stopped every time the lights turned yellow, and asI drove at the exact speed limit as posted.
My there were many drivers today.

Down Pennant Hills Road and onto the M2 the horns and flashing lights continued down the M2 and onto the M7.
Trucks came very close to my rear, possibly to read my witty stickers on the rear window, only to overtake with horns tooting to signal their jocularity at my jokes.
I carefully watched my speed and maintained exactly the speed posted, even when the signs said to slow down to 80, then 60 then 40 for the man picking up something on the other side of the armco fence several meters from the road, and ensuring I did not speed up again until the road sign said I could do so.

Down the highway then the turnoff onto Picton road, a single lane road winding down to Woolongong I was followed by admiring trucks and cars, all who tooted their joy at someone actually driving at the speed limit for a change.

Yes it was relaxing 4 and a half hours.
Vivaldi, Schubert, some Bach and a little Beethoven thrown in for the journey.
And so many friends I made on the journey too.

Looking forward to the trip home where Ill do it all again, this time I might drive at 10 klm/ hr slower, just for the heck of it.

[Black Orchid]

Have a good time down there.

[sprintcyclist]

Good on you Valkie.

You would have used far less fuel by adhering to the speed limit.
Well done.

[Texan]

I used to drive people nuts by driving the speed limit when I had my VW Jetta Sportwagen tdi with panoramic sunroof. I got 40 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway. It was a game for me. If I had bought one with a manual transmission, I would probably still have it.

[Neferti]

I used to drive people nuts by driving the speed limit when I had my VW Jetta Sportwagen tdi with panoramic sunroof. I got 40 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway. It was a game for me. If I had bought one with a manual transmission, I would probably still have it.

Picture, please.

[Valkie]

Well, drove home, nice and easy.
I stuck to the speed limit and stayed in the left hand lane as much as possible.

But you would not believe the number of people who were pissed off with me actually driving at the posted speed limit.
Trucks were probably the worst, coming right up on my tail and flashing their super bright headlights and spotties.
Passing close to me and honking their horns.

I was pulled over on Picton road and breath tested by the cop.
While he didn't say it, I suspect he pulled me over because I was the only car driving at the speed limit.
I suggested he do a drug test, but he said I didn't look drugged.

He suggested I drive closer to the traffic.
I said that's illegal, and if I go even 1 klm/hr over the speed limit I will die, according to the Roads and Marine propaganda.
He just shook his head and walked back to his car.

I continued home.

I don't think I'll do this again.
Too many people cut me off, hit the brakes, swerved at me, shook their fists, yelled at me, honked their horns, flashed their lights and one even threw something at me.
I'll simply go with the flow in future, not worth the angst sticking to the law.

[billy the kid]

Sounds like the typical Australian yobbos demonstrating their driving skill and intellect...or lack of it.....

[Neferti]

We used to call those on motorbikes "temporary Aussies" now all cars are "automatic" ... put into D and plant the foot.

[FLEKTARN]

I drive on lonely roads, fast.

[sprintcyclist]

We used to call those on motorbikes "temporary Aussies" now all cars are "automatic" ... put into D and plant the foot.

In an Auto, 'D' is for drunk. Use it when you are too drunk to change gears