Removals

[blue]

I used to get that 'impatient with slow drivers' thing just visiting my Mum & Grandmother down in Lymington & old biddies in Post Offices & supermarkets who'd natter for ages, my Grandmother used to tell me off & say it was just a different pace of life & that I needed to switch down a gear. I have had to remember that & follow her advice a lot since moving to Portugal. Still rather here than anywhere.

[James Faro]

I used to get that 'impatient with slow drivers' thing just visiting my Mum & Grandmother down in Lymington & old biddies in Post Offices & supermarkets who'd natter for ages, my Grandmother used to tell me off & say it was just a different pace of life & that I needed to switch down a gear. I have had to remember that & follow her advice a lot since moving to Portugal. Still rather here than anywhere.

I have noticed the drivers in Portugal seem to be improving unless I am now immune to the shock of first experiencing the roads out there!

- J

[ditzy]

I have noticed the drivers in Portugal seem to be improving unless I am now immune to the shock of first experiencing the roads out there!

- J

[shanagarry]

James - it might be a case of your driving standard deteriorating to their level.

I drove back from Algarve Shopping to Carvoeiro last night at 11.15pm and had the misfortune to get stuck behind 3 cars - not rental cars - driving at between 25 and 40 kph - wandering all over the road - I could see the drivers were in deep conversation with their passengers - and oblivious to the other road users. For those who know the road, you will know that overtaking opportunities are few and far between and when one does appear - oncoming traffic appears as if by 'magic'. Once I got past them I encountered a 7 seat and full rental people carrier being driven by a female at 30 Kph all the way from the Porches BP garage to the Carvoeiro junction in Lagoa. Patience I kept telling myself and turned the music up to distract me.

It's been two weeks now - and I will get used to it

[James Faro]

Maybe you are right. I am down to their level!

Two years ago I drove up the forest mountains into charming little villages. The roads were so quiet and safe. so I thought, until an Ambulance yes an Ambulance was driving towards me and he was on the wrong side of the road. He swerved as I did! I am not sure what he was doing - looking for work?

But I think there has been a sort of improvement - less of tailing on the A22 but it still happens - suicidal madness! I am sometimes reluctant to overtake because overtaking leads to undertaking!

One of the holiday reps told me that if you meet an aggressive driver just smile and say thank you and wave. That deflects any potential conflict. It seems to work.

The Algarve is God's country but there are an awful lot devils on the road!

- J

[ditzy]

I find that there's no "in-between" with Portuguese drivers. As the PT expression goes, it's either 8 or 80.