THE EXCRUCIATING WAITING GAME

ne of life’s scariest moments can be heading into a spider-filled basement, climbing a shaky ladder, or trusting a fart after a curry. But I’ll raise you: waiting for your car to get through its annual MOT is a tension like no other.

​I'm certainly not against the MOT. Checking vehicles' roadworthiness is vital for the safety of all, especially when you spend as much time on two wheels as me. As a cyclist, I know the value of good brakes and solid components, but as a driver, waiting for the call is excruciating.

​So this is Ozzy, our Nissan Qashqai.

​We've had Ozzy for almost a year now (you can read about how we acquired the car here). Ozzy has been an excellent vehicle so far, but I can be a bit negative when it comes to automotive matters; last year's experience with our previous car tainted me, and I'm probably not fully over it. But...

​The good news is Ozzy passed!

​I don't use the car daily, as I prefer to cycle to work (with the bus as a backup option). Usually, the car is there for Morticia, giving her vital mobility and freedom. But in two weeks, Ozzy has a massive job. It'll be Ozzy's responsibility to take us down to Wales—to our happy place—for a well-earned and much-needed break.

The spirit of the Urban Viking—and the occasional absurdity of navigating the modern world—lives on in my webcomic, Northman. 

You can read the latest chapter here: northman.kirt.me.uk

I’ll be sharing more of my journey and the daily reality of staying grounded in the modern world over on social media. Join in:

Instagram ● Threads

BlueSky ● TikTok