When I was a kid we used to go back 'home' to the Outer Hebrides at every opportunity. This always followed the same pattern. We’d pack a day or so before, my dad would get home from work on Friday have something to eat. Then he’d drive for 11-12 hours, arriving in Ullapool in time for the morning ferry. The only stops on the way were for petrol. Invariably it seemed to always start raining on the A1, and with the windshield wipers slapping time my brother and mum would fall asleep. I’d stay awake all night with my dad, too excited by the prospect of the 3-4 weeks of fishing, shooting and freedom that awaited us. My old man played his Country and Western tapes, and would briefly wake those sleeping with a rebel yell when we passed the “Welcome to Scotland” sign. As a child I was fascinated by the stories and emotions in the music. When Johnny Cash sung about a Ring of Fire I was getting a glimpse of a grown up world that I didn’t yet understand. I felt admiration and pity for Big John and would probably have put Ruby in the ground myself given the chance.

In a few weeks time I’ll be arriving home from work a little early on a Friday and will drive the sleeping Lovely Mrs Ring of Fire and offspring all night to get the morning ferry. The only differences will be in the details, 600 miles without a petrol stop and no C & W tapes. It’s an SD card loaded with both sorts of music. Yeeeeeeehaaaa!
( Ring Of Fire A petty, drooling belming butthurt retard., Fri 15 Jul 2011, 14:56, 4 replies)

sounds like an awesome holiday and a good drive
(bakerboy, Fri 15 Jul 2011, 15:12, closed)

Ruby
...for gods sake,turn around...and then the forlorn drums.Hope your trip is good,only ever been to Falkirk myself.
(harrycockflap, Fri 15 Jul 2011, 20:12, closed)

When the kids are (perhaps inevitably) looking fed up,
you can tell them that you used to love this sort of thing when you were their age, and that it builds character.

They can tell you that they'd much rather have gone to Disneyland.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Fri 15 Jul 2011, 20:16, closed)

i bet it was the same tape my dad played
as we traveled all over the north west of england. my best mates dad had the same tape too. we know all the words 25 years later :D
(DreddPirateBob has watched every scifi film ever on, Fri 15 Jul 2011, 20:48, closed)