THE lighter mornings and evenings as our winter darkness begins to fade are much welcomed at the Sake homestead on the hill.
Because a monumentally massive moan from the drivers in our household lately has been tailgaters in their high up, and totally pointless, 4x4s.
Not only are they right up close and personal to my boot lid as I pootle happily across the commons at the regulation 40mph.
But their enormous, multi-row, extra-strong headlights are so elevated that, no matter how I rearrange my rear view mirror, they are completely blinding and dazzling to a motorist in a mere regular car.
As soon as possible, of course, they break the law, overtake, and rev off into the distance ahead of me in an expression of their macho superior power and illumination.
But what is it about off-roaders on the road which provokes such thoughtless and irritating behaviour?
They're just the same in town. Most times when I spot someone cruising repeatedly around the George Street, Russell Street, King Street Parade circle it's – you've guessed it – a giant, shiny, brand spanking new 4x4, whose driver could afford a parking ticket and could, therefore, leave the free on-street spaces for poorer mortals.
As this is a transport rant, and especially a discussion of the height of vehicles, do spare a thought for one friend of the Sake clan who very occasionally drives out in a little old MG Midget.
That brings its own problems, height-wise too. She was once in Nailsworth and experienced a near miss when a giant vehicle in front began to reverse at her when she was stuck in a stationary traffic queue.
The driver in front just didn't see her so low down but, very luckily, she lived to tell the tale.