Last day of this trek; we’re glad to get away from this layby at the side of the A34. Too tired to drive any further it was Hobson’s Choice of an overnight stop.

Neither of us sleep well. Gill is wakened throughout the night by torrential rain hammering on the roof and the vibration and noise of trucks rushing past. She finally drop off to sleep some time after 2.00am but wakes again to hear the constant hum and roar of truck engines. Gill is up again at 05.35 and decides to get up then make coffee; we dress and are on our way again by 06.10.

All the other trucks in our layby (except one) have gone, so this is a good time to get on the road. It is still pouring down with rain and there is a lot of surface water. The traffic is moderately busy as we drive on the A34 to Oxford, then M40/M42 to Bromsgrove and the M6. We take a little diversion at Warwick to find a Premier Inn for breakfast. Unfortunately, it turns out to be opposite IBM Warwick with no separate dining establishment, breakfast only for residents, we have to drive on. Onto the M6, south around Birmingham to Walsall where we stop at Bentley Green Beefeater (Premier Inn Walsall) and have an excellent breakfast.

It is a little run down but this is made up for by Carol and the Brummie staff who are very friendly and seem to know just what we need. It is only 9.00am!! We have a full buffet breakfast and a good long break. We feel so much better when we are back on the M6, drive home to Lancaster, arriving by 1.00pm… what a trip.