I have previously written about how being car-free out-in-the-world means that you can feel a lot more connected with life than from behind a windscreen in your own private metal box. But of course there can be some downsides to being so in-touch, or in this case in-ear-shot of others.

Recently on a train there was no getting away from a conversation which I was not hoping to be part of. I mean I was not part of the conversation, but the volume level of the conversation meant that I, and my fellow passengers, were inescapably involved!

Luckily I had a pair of headphones and some music to listen to. So there I was on the train, with some delightfully vocal other passengers(!), able take my hearing elsewhere. Phew!

Car-free-dom is a delight, but it is a good idea to pack some headphones for those moments when others lives can overflow in ways that you would ideally avoid.