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Loooong drive this weekend...

I have to drive from Lux to Wales and back via Greenwich and Portsmouth in 3 days this weekend - any suggestions in how to deal with a) boredom b) long drive it.
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Comments

  • sillav nitram
    sillav nitram Posts: 10,163
    Wear a blindfold and women’s clothes.
  • AFKABartram
    AFKABartram Posts: 57,824
    I Spy
  • PopIcon
    PopIcon Posts: 5,970
    I once had to drive from New Orleans to Detroit with only a three hour stop in Cincinnati. While I don't have any tips, I do feel your pain.
  • superclive98
    superclive98 Posts: 4,766
    At least you will have natural breaks in your journey, when crossing the channel. Regular breaks are essential when driving for long hours.
  • Pelling1993
    Pelling1993 Posts: 6,672
    Podcasts are the best long journey time waster for me
  • SDAddick
    SDAddick Posts: 14,467

    Podcasts are the best long journey time waster for me

    Seconded. Love The Football Ramble for all things football. @CharltonLive is obviously great. The Guardian's Football Weekly remains strong despite losing James Richardson this year.

    I can also give true crime/mystery or "radio drama" or comedy recommendations if you're interested.
  • Riviera
    Riviera Posts: 8,167
    Just stay away from Flintoff, Savage and the ping pong guy. A load of self indulgent, obsequious crap. Marketed as a Podcast but still broadcast on national radio eating into 5Live Sport's airtime.
    I don't mind Flintoff, I don't mind Savage these days either. I don't know the ping pong guy but together the three of them get me reaching for the sick bag.
  • Stig
    Stig Posts: 29,021
    edited November 2017
    Pub cricket for the sections where your not on a motorway.
    Radio 4 does it for me but it's not to everyone's taste.
    If there are others with you, you can bet on how many cars of different colours you'll see or lorries from different companies. Not much fun on your own though. Come to think of it, not much fun at all, but better than nothing.
  • Anna_Kissed
    Anna_Kissed Posts: 3,302
    How about humming The Red, Red Robin? Several times.
  • limeygent
    limeygent Posts: 3,217
    edited November 2017
    Take proper breaks to eat. Don't eat on the go. I often drive 16 hours to Florida. Meal breaks are important.
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  • SoundAsa£
    SoundAsa£ Posts: 22,476
    Stig said:

    Pub cricket for the sections where your not on a motorway.
    Radio 4 does it for me but it's not to everyone's taste.
    If there are others with you, you can bet on how many cars of different colours you'll see or lorries from different companies. Not much fun on your own though. Come to think of it, not much fun at all, but better than nothing.

    Good idea, but better still, write them down each tiime......I can guarantee you won’t stay bored for fucking long.
  • A-R-T-H-U-R
    A-R-T-H-U-R Posts: 7,678
    Drive really really quickly so the journey won't take as long.
  • Have a kip?
  • ricky_otto
    ricky_otto Posts: 22,600
    Think about Billy Bingham and Fences. In fact, think of Billy Bingham putting up a fence up in Razils garden....which Billy Bingham is up to you.
  • Addickted
    Addickted Posts: 19,456
    Podcasts of Test Match Special
  • Macronate
    Macronate Posts: 12,890
    Treat it like it's a really long Grand Prix.

    The car in front is the one you need to overtake and you can't let the car behind pass you at any cost.

    Do the commentary in your head as Murray Walker.

    When you have to stop for petrol/a bite to eat/drink/comfort break, do everything at high speed and aim to get back into your vehicle and driving again within six seconds. Keep providing commentary during this period but this time in a loud voice as you are outside and you want people to hear you.

    When you're driving at night, pretend you are in Monaco. Stop for a gamble (but only for six seconds).

    At the end of the first leg of your journey, buy a podium and stand on one of the steps dependant on where you finished in your head. Buy a cup/trophy as well and hold it aloft.

    In the unfortunate event of suffering a puncture, enter Kwik Fit's premises at 80mph and drive straight onto one of their ramps. Insist on the tyre change taking no longer than six seconds.

    The hours will fly by.
  • Redrobo
    Redrobo Posts: 11,330
    Tiredness does kill. When you have to press on, go ultimate on your driving awareness. Mentally imagine you are demonstrating to someone what a good driver you are by explaining what you are doing and what you are aware of. "Checking mirror, red car coming up in fast lane, catching blue car on left, may have slow down, no, red car will be past so will be able to pull out. Etc etc.

    It may sound silly, but the advice was given to me by an advanced driving instructor and works for me.

    Also would suggest breaking the journey into sensible distances/times and allowing plenty of time for each leg. Depending on traffic I guess you are looking at 5 1/2 hrs to Dover, so a break at Lille for coffee and then lunch on the ferry? Another 6hrs to Wales via M4?. Get round M25 asap and motorway stop on the M4, or turn off at Windsor for a walk. Road works just ahead so best take a break before them. (Start just after Slough).

    Take an empty bottle in case you get stuck in traffic and need a pee, red bull, and a flask of Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup.

    Good luck and a safe journey.
  • ricky_otto
    ricky_otto Posts: 22,600
    Addickted said:

    Podcasts of Test Match Special

    Christ, he wants to drive, not fall asleep at the wheel.
  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,594
    Get wankered on the ferry
  • Solidgone
    Solidgone Posts: 10,206
    Guess my favourite colour.
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  • Podcasts. The Football Ramble is good, as mentioned above.

    Non-football, the Rugby Pod, and Flats and Shanks are both good rugby podcasts if that would interest you.
  • moutuakilla
    moutuakilla Posts: 7,568
    Make sure your car is really warm, put on some nice soft relaxing music, recline your seat slightly and make sure your seat is comfortable (perhaps a pillow could help).

    Comfort is paramount
  • Clem_Snide
    Clem_Snide Posts: 11,737
    Take Devine Brown with you. Or Hugh Grant if that is your preference.
  • Just worked out via Google maps that the total distance to cover is approx 2500km
  • cafcdave123
    cafcdave123 Posts: 11,491
    Get yourself a nice big bag of coke, some ecstasy and a copy of DJ Hype's Jungle Massive.

    You could replace the coke with speed but I've never driven a car whilst on speed so can't vouch for it.
  • Redrobo
    Redrobo Posts: 11,330

    Just worked out via Google maps that the total distance to cover is approx 2500km

    So at an average 50mls per hour, a tad over 31hours driving.

    Dangerous in a weekend IMO.
  • Avoid the A27 & A259 if your driving from Portsmouth to Dover, would be quicker going on M3, M25 & M20. It took me over 3 hours to get from Hastings to Portsmouth (90 miles). Worth mentioning though that Southern Trains were on strike and it was the last Friday of the school holidays (1st Sept) so if you do decide to drive that way hopefully it won't be so bad for you...good luck.
  • Pick up a hooker
  • Fly to London city airport and hire a car
  • Swisdom
    Swisdom Posts: 14,977
    Podcasts

    The football ramble back catalogue will do you

    Also try The Luke and Pete show. Worth a listen

    I’d love to do that drive...bloody love driving