Egypt4u

Thanks for the update Grandad & the photos I've not seen candles like that before.

I would not like to be up there on the scaffolding but, I guess someone has to do it

The scaffolding is quite impressive and I can imagine was quite a job in and of itself.

As for getting around and about when I moved into this place one of the things I liked about this area is that I can walk to a small grocery store (part of a chain store so it does carry most everything), 2 coffee shops, 2 restaurants, post office, pharmacy and a variety of other small stores. Two bus stops that get me to the hospital & larger shopping are 3 minutes away in opposite directions.

Taxis here are prohibitively expensive and many complain they can't afford to get out via taxi. We do have a Philosophy of keeping people in their own homes as long as possible and having available comfortable transport is one of the issues needed to grapple with.

In the metro areas of the Province we're voting on UBER which is private people being able to pick up passengers for a fare. Not sure if it'll be approved or not but it seems a unique way to keep transport costs down yet also be able to get out and about.

We have Uber in the UK, mainly the London area

I think I am following you around Horus I type more slowly so you beat me to post
Yes Uber is widespread in London. The London Cabbies don't like them and there have been recent discussions about Uber drivers and the deal they get from Uber. Sounds a bit dodgy but many are doing very well.

If you are here and on a fixed income you have city bus which run basically every hour with the exception of the University express bus which is sort of a direct shot across the City from either end to the University. It goes more often mainly mornings.

If you're not taking the bus which can eat a whole morning of your time just going from A to B it is taxis. Last I was aware it costs $16 just to open the door and sit down. Extremely prohibitive cost-wise and nothing many can afford. This means there is little use so the cost is high(er) although I'm not sure if they were all being called out all the time the cost would come down.

Unless you have a willing friend or neighbour to drive you getting around here can be quite difficult as the distances are substantial. Nothing is terribly close even if you're driving.

I'm hoping to retain my ability to drive for as long as possible and hoping that by the time I maybe can't drive the grandkids will be willing to drive me.

I think something like Uber would work really well here. Would supplement some a few extra $$. Our problem here as I see it is that our Gov't controls ALL car insurance. If they're not willing to give the OK to this it'll be dead in the water. I know now I have to declare if my car insurance is for work or pleasure only and if you are using your car for work the rate goes up quite a bit.

I have only used my car once in the last two weeks and that was the one mile to the supermarket last Thursday. I want to get my eye sorted and get new prescription glasses before I finally decide if I should give up altogether.
We have a frequent and convenient bus service but if I chose to take a taxi it is only £5 or £6 within the city limits or about £8 further out such as the hospital. But this IS a very small city.