I’VE never been a big fan of cars.
I didn’t learn to drive until I was in my 20s, and have spent much of the intervening time trying to do as little of it as possible, sometimes making up wild excuses why I should not get behind the wheel.

know next to nothing about cars, and though I have been known to watch Top Gear from time to time, this is more down to a desire to look at Richard Hammond than an interest in the latest Audi.
So you may be surprised to learn that over the last few months my one big ambition has been to buy one of these environmentally-unfriendly, often lethal and, I think, quite ugly means of transport.
And, just before Easter, I finally did it. I bought a car.
The first one I’ve owned on my own, it stands outside my house as I write, polished to a beautiful shine inside and out, child’s car seat duly fitted, A-Z installed in the glove box, furry dice hanging above the dashboard. (Actually, I made that last bit up).
It’s old. It’s black. It’s a bit scratched in places. And it rattles if the road surface is any rougher than a baby’s bottom. But it’s mine, and it represents freedom.
The freedom to visit relatives and friends whenever I want to.
The freedom to buy more than one basketful of goods at a time in the supermarket.
The freedom to stay dry when it’s pouring down.
The freedom to go out for days without huge inconvenience.
Yes, it also beings large bills which I haven’t missed having – tax, insurance, MoT, breakdown cover, petrol, servicing and repair (and furry dice aren’t cheap, you know!) – but it’s already made a big difference to my life.
Over the Easter holidays it meant we could venture beyond the usual train trip to the museum or walk to the park.
Not having a car for a few months gave me ample time to reflect on the inadequacy of public transport in this part of the world.
As much as I would like to be green, a car is so much easier, more convenient and faster in most instances. No wonder people won't give them up.
Make your mind up after perusing these examples of journeys we took over Easter from our house in Wirral:
Chester Zoo: Two train rides (which never connect), taking at least an hour and a half, followed by a not very frequent bus ride. Or 45 minutes in the car.
Visiting the Soon-To-Be-Ex-Parents-In-Law: Another two train rides, taking at least an hour (not counting walking times either end). Or 40 minutes in the car.
Visiting Mother: Half-hour train ride followed by 20-minute bus ride. Or 30 minutes in the car.
Gulliver’s World theme park: Two trains and a bus, taking a total of around 2 hours. Or 45 minutes in the car.
No contest, really.
Still, I have no intention of using the car for short trips. The school run (one mile) is a no-no unless it’s raining. The local shops ditto. Since I started walking more, my fitness levels have risen as my flab levels have declined. And I feel like I’m doing some good for the environment.
So it seems I’ve got some way to go before I become a full-blown petrolhead.

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