3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[Gertie]

I have to drive for at least 2 hours daily to get to/from work. I'd like to get a job nearer to home which would help! Sadly public transport isnt viable. Of course my main activity whilst commuting is driving & concentrating on the road... But inbetween I listen to audio stories, learn a language CD, the radio.

 

What creative ways do you make your commute less boring?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Poor you, what a long time to spend in your car . My commute has increased from 10 mins each way to 40 mins each way - thankfully, it's temporary and I share the car with one or two colleagues so it's never dull!

 

On my dog walks I listen to Answer Me This and The News Quiz podcasts and have hundreds of old I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clues on my MP3 player. They may not be your cup of tea but thought I'd mention it!

[Space Chick]

I have a 30 minute commute each way on most days, but an hour to an hour and a half each way once or twice a week.

 

I listen to Chris Evans in the morning - he rocks!

 

Then on the way home (as I can't stand Steve Wright) I will tend to listen to varying music and listen out for the basslines as I am learning the bass. I vary the music styles and eras.... Everything from 60s rock to slap bass modern tracks... To Motown to 80s pop. And a nice bit of Jazz thrown in for good measure

[Gertie]

Thanks ANH and SpaceChick. I do just get soooooso bored and it wastes so much of my free time! I have downloaded classic audio stories such as Bronte, Lawrence etc But i think something more lighthearted might suit me. That's a good idea, something humorous - i like the radio 4 show just a minute - that always makes me laugh! I'm a bit low tech when it comes to mp3 and podcasts although I have an mp3 on my phone, just not got round to adding much.

 

Maybe I might try a bit of Chris - what station is he on? - I'm in the car 6-7am and between 4-6pm

[Looney]

It takes me about 2hrs 15 mins (on a good day) each way to get to work. About an hour and a quarter of this is spent on one train so I read, read, read! Sometimes work papers but most often the free paper or books on my Kindle. Obviously you can't read whilst driving! I can't listen to headphones as I hate not being aware of noises around me and unfortunately (and frustratingly ) I have never been able to sleep on public transport.

[Gertie]

OMG Looney! That is a loooonnnggg commute. Why so far/long?

[Olly]

My commute is by train, thankfully only half an hour or so each way as I almost never get a seat. I have to have a good book with me - it takes my mind off being squashed up against someone I've never met and swaying from side to side every time the train pulls out, not to mention my aching feet! No help to you in the car - but if I were driving, I would be practising my singing with the windows tightly closed!

[Hens@HalfMoonLane]

I see if I can hold my breath between motorway bridges and/or play music only I like quite often like bananarama or Lou reed.

[Looney]

It was a case of job or no job! My office closed down whilst I was on maternity leave and my employer had no suitable alternative posts to offer me on my return (long story). There is a real lack of local part-time jobs that would pay enough to cover bills, mortgage, childcare etc and I'm the main earner due to OH being made redundant twice in the last few years and having to 'start again' twice. I was about to receive notice of redundancy but luckily was able to apply as an internal candidate for a job with a different Department and was offered it.....but unfortunately it is in London Been there since Feb, three days a week. It's far from ideal but the thought of no roof over our heads was even worse!

[Looney]

But I reckon I'd be a singing commuter if I was in a car!!

[patsylabrador]

I don't have to but I think if I did I would listen to Steve Allen podcasts. When I do travel on the tube I like to check out people's back gardens. I have my favourites, I'm a sort of back garden stalker!

[Gertie]

at holding your breath between bridges.

 

Looney, a long commute but as you say better than the alternatives! I hope something suitable comes up nearer for you.

 

That's a good idea singing. I like singing. I wa also thinking about challenging myself to learn the rhyme of tha ancient mariner. That should occupy a few years!

 

I can't really see any back gardens on my journey but there are some pretty bits.

 

I have also developed a phobia of men in cycling shorts after driving uphill after those who maybe need to consider shorts in a larger size or a thicker fabric!

[Lavenders_Blue]

I don't do a huge amount of driving (work from home ) but do have to do the odd long commute as part of my job to get me to meetings and training courses. I like to pass the time with a good sing song or a funny audio CD (love the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy and can listen to that over and over, also Count Arthur Strong - nothing makes me laugh more than buffoonery).

[hl050]

Hi

 

My commute is 1hr and 15mins on a good day train and tube. I have just bought myself a lovely ipad and i watch tv programmes, check my email, surf, read mags/newspapers all from one little device.

I love it - I'm a walking advert for apple...only problem is i haven't told OH yet its hiding in my handbag along with the credit card bill !!

[mollyripkim]

My goodness, that is such a long time in the car, I really feel for you all. I was just feeling a bit sorry for myself as I work from home and often don't see anyone all day so this has put that in perspective for me!

[Space Chick]

 

Maybe I might try a bit of Chris - what station is he on? - I'm in the car 6-7am and between 4-6pm

 

He's on Radio 2, and starts at 6am I think I catch him after 7am.

[Gertie]

Aw, I'd love to work from home...I just don't know how much work I'd get done!!! So many cakes to bake, cats to cuddle and chickens to watch

 

I will listen out for Mr Evans bright and early tomorrow morning Space Chick and I must figure out how to download things more confidently. I love radio comedy so that sounds ideal!

[counturchickens]

Thankfully don't have a long commute now, but do travel to see my fil in Scotland every month or so. We listed to pod casts, radio 4 Friday night comedy and desert island disks. We also do audio books, on bill Bryson at the moment but can really recommend Stuart maconie pies and prejudice and land of hope and glory.

[redhotchick]

Similar to you. I have language cd's ready to go if there's nothing on the radio. My radio listening of choice is also Chris Evans in the morning, unless the news on Radio 4 is particularly interesting! In the evening it depends what time and what day it is. There is a cookery section on Steve Wright's programme on a Thursday (I think). Radio 4 if it's around half 6 in the evening, for one of the funny shows they have on at that time. I haven't got my head around MP3 players and podcasts and stuff either. I should though. I like Desert Island Discs, depending on who it is, The Food Programme. Womans Hour, Gardener's Question Time.

Sometimes I realise that I have been holding my breath as I drive along, so I try and make a conscious effort to concentrate on my breathing.

[Space Chick]

The Thursday cookery slot is on Simon Mayos programme.... Now I like Simon Mayo, also LOVE the confessions slot

(Simon Mayo starts at 5pm until 7pm on Radio 2)

[Lavenders_Blue]

Yes, I like Simon Mayo's confessions too! I think you can also download it as a podcast every week.

[chickencam]

Good music and a sing along helps a journey pass by, but only when alone and with the windows firmly shut. I would also recommend Chris Evans and Simon Mayo, they are good company and up beat.

[Lewis]

I'm definitely a singing commuter 3 hours to Uni or 1.5ish to work

 

Usually buy albums off Amazon or download them. Lianne La Havas and Fun are the albums at the moment but if we're doing a show (I Stage Manage) its usually that album so I learn the songs!

[redhotchick]

The Thursday cookery slot is on Simon Mayos programme.... Now I like Simon Mayo, also LOVE the confessions slot

(Simon Mayo starts at 5pm until 7pm on Radio 2)

 

Duh! sorry, don't know why I said Steve Wright!

[sadietoo]

My commute to work is about a 45 minutes drive...an hour on a bad day.

 

I love Simon Mayo's show in the evening . Sorry Space Chick although I started off liking Chris Evans his endless wittering on about cars made me switch off and now he just irritates me, so in the morning I listen to CDs or my i-pod. I don't do Radio 4 in the morning because i find the news just too depressing but I enjoy Woman's Hour, The Book Show thing, Just a Minute, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue and the Newsquiz if I'm travelling at the right time on the right day !

 

If I had access to digital radio (and was travelling at the right time of day of course) I'd listen to Radcliffe and Maconie, I was very very sad when their evening show went off Radio 2 .