Trotted off to Swindoon for shopping this morning. Traffic quite light, which of course gives the idiots room to be silly. Initially trundling along on my own, I was soon caught by an Astra estate, driver wearing his hi-vis coat, and obviously important enough to need to bully the Panda. Made no difference to me.
As we reached the outskirts of Swindon, the road widens into two lanes, just before the junction with the A419. Exiting the first roundabout, having taken the right lane for town, I'm then presented with a lane closed sign, mine. Astra is alongside of course, so easy to lift the throttle and let him go, which he did, quickly, probably pleased that he'd out-accelerated a 60hp Panda off a roundabout.
Arriving at the next roundabout, the lanes opened again, so I'm moving right, he's going left onto the A419 slip road, or so he thought.
Possibly in an attempt to stay ahead, or possibly just his normal driving style, he swept into the roundabout with ineffective observation, to be met by 'himself' driving just as aggressively around the roundabout. Much blaring of horns, Astra pulled the steering left to avoid a bump, mounted the kerb with his left wheel, dropped it into the soft ruts, and holed his sump on the kerb edge. Oops!
Returning from shopping, about 45 minutes later, he was stood awaiting recovery, big oil puddle oozing across the roundabout.
I wonder if he spent the time wisely seeking another job?
