In the driver's seat!

Well that was exciting - My first drive here this trip! At least it's on the same side of the road and the car was an auto and I had Waze to guide me and I knew a bit of the countryside after being driven around for a bit and Waze spoke to me in kilometers while the car had miles so all that made it much easier than the last times. 

The times with a blunt map and no navigator and no phone at all. The times where my co pilot went into a panic because she couldn't see any speed signs so thought we might be speeding, I winged it keeping to the average speed. The times when the Stonehenge sign made me pull in despite my co pilots protests we'd be late for the football - well worth it. The time I was meeting a friend, took a wrong turn and ended up in Essex or Sussex not Wessex or some such name - dinner happened a bit later that evening. The time I got to Saffron Walden after many traffic jams and missing the odd exit only to find I had neither my friend's address or a phone to call her on and getting her number required the internet. The bloke at the pub didn't know my friend personally, thought I'd ask just in case, but let me find and call the number so I could get instructions. And that's just a few from my UK adventures!

Suffice to say, today was a breeze and I'm looking forward to more car adventures. I plan to buy a cheap and cheerful one soon, in the mean time I have a loaner. It's been an interesting time here with the Queen leaving us. The drive past Windsor on Monday was interesting with people lining the roads and a huge traffic jam. We didn't venture too close and found the jam was caused by the Queen's motorcade needing the exits and nearby roads closed. There was no traffic on the other side of the motorway, odd I thought. Next minute there was a roar of motorbikes and fast black SUVs and a car looking suspiciously like a hearse. They raced off quickly then just as quickly the traffic cleared and we were on our way to the very local pub with friends to watch the proceedings on TV, glass in hand.

This weekend I'm finally getting to London! I'm just a bit excited because I love exploring and there's plenty I haven't seen plus other favourite places. Like Borough Market. Photos and stories will follow. 

For now, it's off to celebrate a new car with one of the selection of amazing gins the pubs have here. And matching tonics. My gin friends know I'm not big on tonic - I've been converted here. A lovely rhubarb and ginger gin with a clementine tonic is on the menu. 

An aerial view of Windsor