Thursday 5 June 2008

Taking a drive


It has been a good day, a long day, a very busy day. When I left work the sun was shining. I set off for home windows down, wind blowing my hair I considered taking a different route home. I thought of going over the hill, I love the views from up there, so much nicer than following the motorway as it snakes along the coast and past The City before heading slightly inland to pass the town where I live. I thought about it but not for long, not when I thought of the traffic jam that would greet me as I descended from the hill to pass the creek that comes almost to the centre of town. That traffic jam would be worse than the heavy traffic trying to get through the road works.

So instead of taking the scenic route I chose the usual motorway drive. Joining the A road speeding towards the motorway, swinging around the bend before the two roads merge. Suddenly I see it, slamming on the brakes so as not to hit it. All these red eyes glaring at me daring me not to stop. Then I heard it, the traffic news on the radio.


'heavy traffic through the road works. There is a broken down crane near junction ** and a broken down vehicle on the slip road at junction**. The tail backs reach as far as the A*'.


Normally I would just sit it out inching my way along among all the other vehicles. But not today, today I decide to take a detour, instead of moving along with the traffic I get in line for the first slip road the one that leads onto the Island. But instead of turning left I turn inland past the retail park through the residential area, onto the side of the hill. There is an avenue that winds its way up the steep side of the hill. Joining the queue waiting at the top I notice the surprising view in my mirror. On either side I see houses and trees but in my rear view mirror the view is a clear blue sea far below where I am now.



Reaching the summit at last I can travel at more than a crawl, passing the pub where I have met several of my dates including both swinger and Thomas. Another mile and the road forks at the roundabout, but on this occassion instead of the road with views over the harbour and city I take the road that branches out into the countryside. Descending I can see the white walls of a local MOD establishment nestling among the trees over to the right. This get me thinking about a post Marmitetoasty did showing photos of a local village that belongs entirely to one man. On a whim on this sunlit evening I turn right following the signs into the village. Here I recognise a number of the cottages she had taken pictures of. All diferent all with so much character unlike our urban dwellings. I wish I could have taken the time to stop and wander along taking some pictures of my own. It is easy to imagine the history that these buildings have.





Reluctantly I turn my little car aound and head back towards home. Before long I find myself once again in a queue of traffic. I notice the names of the houses and businesses along the way. Chestnut cattery, Mud Island Nurseries and Foxglove cottage. Gazing at these houses set back from the road it takes me back to my childhood growing up in a Kent village. Memories of apple scrumping, climping trees, playing among the hop vines, fishing, picking bluebells. Of school holidays where we went off in the morning on our bikes and came home hungry and tired in time for tea.

Finally I reach home an hour and ten minutes after leaving work. I notice that PB has arrived before me but I don't care because I enjoyed my drive. I am home, happy, relaxed and smiling. Everyone is excited, JA is packing ready for his activity weekend away. OJ nonly has one more exam then he is planning to go camping with college friends. DA is looking for another job, his employers announced today that there are going to be 900 redundancies. My mum has now got her new car, she has also been packing as she is off to France with her friends from the Rotary Club tomorrow morning.

I have decided that after much deliberating, I will not be going to meet Lotto for a drink at his hotel next Tuesday. He knows how I feel and won't put pressure on me but he knew my resolve was wavering. The more days that passed with no word from Romeo the more I wavered. But I know now that I won't be wavering anymore.

18 comments:

DJ Kirkby said...

I love, love, loved this post! The imagery was so beautiful. I felt like I was in the passenger seat, thank you. p.s. so happy for you!!!!

Lady in red said...

dj I am sure this worked for you as you could picture where I was. Were you able to work out my route?

Annie Wan said...

eh who's PB?

lately because of you and marmieT and circs, like the boys in winch, i've been looking at homes around the south coast. i can but dream! i like the idea of the sea in your rearview mirror.

on the romeo front, keeping fingers crossed for you.

Karen said...

You still haven't heard from Romeo? I'm very sorry to hear that and I'm sure you are very disappointed.

Lady in red said...

Mei where we are we can be at the beach in minutes or equally in the countryside.....I know I don't need to tell you what it is like down here and we also have 3 cities within close proximity if that is what we need.

Lady in red said...

Gypsy I am pleased to say that you have misunderstood what I was saying about Romeo

Joanna Cake said...

Im very confused. But Im glad you got a scenic route rather than a traffic jam!

Fire Byrd said...

you're not wavering.... ok come on spill the beans. He's been in touch , we want details!!!
bbx

Karen said...

Well I'm glad I misunderstood too. So...?

MarmiteToasty said...

Isn't the little village delightful..... I go through there 3 times a week on the way to QA hospital...... and MudIsland belongs to *part of my family* on the X's side..... same family name though ;) LOL...... such a small world....

Lady in red said...

hi marmite how are you? glad to see you must be out of hospital now. I nearly came to give you a surprise visit.

just like dj I am sure you could image exactly the route I was taking lol

Fat Controller said...

So beautifully described. I'm there!

Lady in red said...

cake I am sorry I confused you and yes the drive was lovely even if it was at times slower than I would have liked.

Lady in red said...

bb so you rumbled me lol

spilling the beans......whatever next

hes been in Malaysia for a couple of weeks....is tha what you wanted to know?

Lady in red said...

gypsy I am glad too

Lady in red said...

fc always think of you when am describing my local area....home I didn't make you feel homesick....no I am sure you would much rather be where you are....

does heather know you have your computer at the summer house?

Annie Wan said...

spilling beans, whatever next? - spilling seeds on the ground? lol

malaysia's where i come from!

Annie Wan said...

seed i mean