It wasn’t a landmark. It hardly ever is. Our last road trip was cobbled together not with the bright headlines, but with a series of quiet-enough moments that lingered long after unloading the car. We didn’t build them in; they just happened. And honestly, they’re the moments we talk about now when one of us asks how it was.
Photo by Will Truettner
The Coffee That Changed the Course
One of the first? An unexpected oil station coffee. You know the type: you expect something bland and hot, but instead, a strong, rich cup is thrust into your hand with a grin.
Letting the Weather Decide
The weather had its moods, as it does along UK roads. But we went with it. When it thundered near the sea, we pulled over and sat in the car, watching the rain race around the windscreen. We weren’t talking much. Just trading crisps and songs, and every now and then: “Look at that sky.” Those quiet pauses felt like soft edits on the routine of daily life.
A Missed Turn, A New Favourite Place
And then there was the detour. We’d gone past a turn-off and found ourselves on a corkscrewing road into a village plucked straight from a fairy tale, rows of crooked stone houses, a bun shop filled with sugar and holidays. We pulled in for some shortbread and ended up staying an hour, chatting with the shop owner about her cat and favourite walking routes. It hadn’t been accounted for in our schedule at all. That just made it doubly special.
Little Indulgence, Because You Should
Somewhere along the way, we decided we’d treat ourselves. Not with fancy hotel beds or restaurant meals, but on the road itself. A little pampering, if you will. We upgraded our usual compact hire to a luxury car hire, just for the weekend. The result is totally unexpected. It was quieter, smoother. We weren’t heading anywhere urgent, just relishing leather seats, a sunroof, and that strange delight of snack room and proper knee space. It slowed everything down in the best possible way.
Parking Up and Tuning Out
Late one evening, we stopped beside a reservoir. No crowds. No phone reception. Just the soft chug of the engine cooling and the sound of ducks settling in for the night. We had a thermos of tea, thick socks, and that weird sensation of feeling cosy and cold at the same time. You can’t photograph this sort of thing.
What We Didn’t Plan For
It’s easy to get caught up in travel logistics, booking, packing, and arranging. But it’s what sneaks in between those things that stays with you. A perfect song at the perfect time. A picnic in a lay-by. Laughing far too hard over a dodgy map.
So next time you’re planning a road trip, leave space for nothing in particular. Skip the rush. Stay longer than makes sense. And watch what happens as a result.
Because it’s the things you never meant to keep that end up staying with you the longest.
Photo by Connor Wilkins
This post is a contribution to HandZaround.com
Cover Photo by Photo by Will Truettner
