Sat nav in West Sussex: When a journey doesn’t go precisely to plan…

After which there was the arrival of the AA route planners you possibly can create on-line and print. They gave you precise instructions to your journey and felt revolutionary on the time.

However now, there’s sat nav. We just about all use it, and most of us in all probability don’t also have a map within the automobile any extra. You don’t even want a separate machine to make use of it such as you used to. Most of us have it free of charge on our telephones, by way of Google Maps or different apps.

There’s actually no want to have a look at a map and get a really feel for the path you should journey in earlier than you set off. The little voice within the cellphone has you lined. Till it hasn’t, that’s…

I made a decision to take the youngsters to Wakehurst (sound the Nationwide Belief klaxon, she’s banging on about it once more!) on Thursday to benefit from the spring sunshine and be a part of the Hungry Caterpillar path.

I’ve been there a number of occasions, however the roads aren’t acquainted sufficient that I can confidently drive there with out the assistance of my invisible good friend – let’s name her Judy – within the cellphone.

Judy acquired me up the A23, and though there was an indication telling me to show off for Wakehurst, I dutifully adopted her instructions and carried on up the street a bit of additional to a unique junction and down a rustic street.

It was all going so effectively, and the miles to vacation spot had been dropping down. Then I got here to a ‘street closed’ signal. Judy hadn’t forewarned me, and supplied no recommendation as I approached the roundabout. I adopted the yellow diversion signal that had been positioned subsequent to the street I ought to have been driving down, and retraced my journey down the little nation street I’d simply travelled on.

Judy lastly decides to pipe up and tells me to maintain going. No additional diversion indicators appear to be forthcoming, however I’m certain Judy will cleverly traverse this little blip within the journey.

Improper! What Judy really does is take me again to the roundabout on the A23 junction I’ve simply come off of, after which takes me again down the nation to the junction the place the street is closed.

She’s had me fooled all alongside. She hasn’t acquired a clue what’s happening. The youngsters have gone quiet within the again, till certainly one of them pipes up and says ‘Mummy, I’m scared’.

In a voice that’s overly singsongy, I reassure the youngsters that is all simply a part of the journey, whereas fearing I could must arrange camp on the aspect of this nation street for just a few days till the roadworks are full and questioning if one packet of Jammie Dodgers and a few cheese baguettes will maintain us for the length.

Due to the ‘wonders’ of sat nav, I don’t know the place I’m, as a result of I didn’t hassle to have a look at the route earlier than I got here. So, I made a decision to strive one other street. Judy helpfully tells me this may add but extra time to my journey, however ultimately we appear to be discovering our approach there once more.

Till, that’s, we take one other flip at Judy’s request, and discover one other dreaded ‘street closed’ signal. Is Judy having amusing? Is there some sort of Punk’d present for Google Maps customers I don’t learn about?

One of many kids asks if we’ll must go dwelling now, however there’s not an opportunity I’m being crushed by expertise.

So, with none assist from Judes, I strive yet one more street, which finally morphs right into a street I recognise. We make it to Wakehurst 25 minutes later than deliberate, however victorious over my ‘sensible’cellphone nemesis.

The ethical of the story? Take a look at the map earlier than you allow. And if Judy tries that can assist you, perhaps ask for anyone else.