Wednesday 21st August

Road trip today. The eldest and I are off to Bristol to look at the University. I allow 4 hours for a 3 hour journey on the motorway - or in our case this morning six motorways - and it takes almost 4 hours. Having hit a couple of traffic jams I find myself driving around a multi-storey car park in Bristol, looking for a space, then rushing up a hill to arrive exactly on time.

We have an enjoyable tour and as the sun is out we see Bristol in its best light. This is fortunate as in our rush to get out this morning, I forgot to bring any kind of jacket or top to wear, and so was grateful not to be wet or shivering. There is certainly plenty of money being spent on the University based on the amount of building work going on. Which is good to see. We have a nice lunch in a local cafe that I found on Tripadvisor.  It was nice to be sat out eating on a warm afternoon; it makes you feel that the summer has not abandoned us yet. It almost felt like being on holiday with the American waitress who served us.

On the return journey I decide we should take the scenic route, even though it will take a bit longer. After my usual mistake in missing a turning, we find ourselves heading towards the Severn Bridge toll booths! Just in time I manage to get us turned around, and going the right way. We pass places like Ludlow and Shrewsbury, and through quintessentially English villages, with mock Tudor fronts and village halls. It is a delight on a summer’s afternoon to see this beautiful country. The motorway may be quicker – when you can avoid the jams – but you miss so much of what makes our country what it is.

Yours taking the long way round.

Jay