Hello ducky! Another snap from Martin Mere.

I read in the paper today that petrol (gas) prices are expected to reach £6 a gallon shortly. That's $12. I am getting very worried about driving ANYWHERE. I filled up my car on Monday and it cost £55 and it isn't a huge car. That will last me just under a month of "essential" driving. Phil probably spends twice that on petrol.

In the UK 60% of our petrol cost goes straight to the government as tax. I agree that we should all drive less but public transport in this country is pretty expensive and very unreliable. Bus and train services are always being reduced. I live and work near a train station. To get to work by train would involve at least 3 changes and around a two-hour commute each way! Our wages aren't increasing as much as our fuel costs. Phil and I live equal distances from our workplaces; sadly we work in opposite directions!

With the cost of petrol spiralling, food costs increasing every week and promises that winter fuel costs will skyrocket, it's a gloomy prospect for the near furure.

Maybe some point it will be cheaper to give up work and and start claiming benefits!