The A303: Highway to the Sun

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If the producers had set out to show that, contrary to what the public may think, catching serious criminals on the run from abroad is actually pretty boring, then they couldn't have done a better job. It's taken me a long time to get around to reading this one, simply because I wasn't sure if it was going to live up to the other books. Hill Farm to Lopcombe Corner - A272 (This has the benefit of making the A272 'bypass' of Winchester more obvious. I would guess that, like roadkill, this kind of programme is an acquired taste but, after the numbing predictability of most factual TV, there has to be a place for the eclectic. Presenter Tom Fort travels the road in a clapped out Morris Minor and in essence bores the viewer to death.

I felt it was a shame that he didn't actually make more of his love of rivers and fishing, as he was writing at his best when he veered toward this topic. Andyf wrote:If you really wanted to tidy things up in devon and somerset then how about A303 to Honiton then A35 Honiton to Exeter? Perhaps one number reflecting its old number except where there is a multiplex with an A road, whereby it would become that road's number.

Fort's book concludes with a visit to Annie's Tea Bar, situated at the very end of the A303 where it rejoins its "old rival", the A30, where he enjoys a full English breakfast and a chat with the proprietor, Annie. I was never quite sure what political affiliation the author held, as he seemed equally dismissive of most political persuasions, although his particular dislikes shone through pretty clearly, and I don't think there was ever a Minister of Transport that was held in any kind of esteem. I thought the information about Stonehenge very interesting, but was much less in favour of the political rantings. Diverted from the familiar A303 by a sudden closure on a dark evening, I joined another baffled motorist at a tiny junction with an unhelpful signpost indicating an unexpected place name such as Longbridge Deverill, or perhaps it was Marston Magna.

In that context 'hiding' a section of the A30 (in a situation that would hardly be unique, even in this part of Devon) might suit them.However, the star of the show for me was the Morris traveller, because I had one just the same and this was the car we used on those journeys.

Minimum 8 hours, even overnight, so we used to arrive fresh as daisies whilst Mum and Dad were knackered.He describes the road's origins, and some of the interesting sites it passes close to; most of these would be unfamiliar to the majority of its users as we're only interested in getting to the end of it. A303Paul wrote:Renaming the A303 as A30 would be quite achievable with some green patches but I don't think renaming the A30 as A303 is on, as it would be (a) too confusing and (b) most of it would not merit a three digit road. Forts book is also a mediation on the motor car itself: it is a force for darkness or for liberation? Rather an apt description of the road that leads to my beloved and regularly gallantly failing cricket team.