A few years ago my we spent a week and a half travelling around Tuscany. We hired a car for the duration of the time. This was a little hilarious at first as my husband wasn’t used to driving on the right side of the road. I am also not very empathetic or patient when it comes to driving badly, especially when on the wrong side of the road! That first couple of hours in the car was interesting, but we managed to not kill ourselves, which is always a bonus. I tried my best to navigate using a basic map we were given at the car rental, though it was almost entirely useless since we had to travel mostly along unmarked rural roads. It was quite hilarious… maybe not at the time. I think we may have driven into a rock or a signpost or something, argued about mismanaged directions at least 15 times and took a wrong route (and get rather lost) about 20 times. Finally reaching, our rather breathtaking destination- the fascinating walled town of Lucca, was quite the feat. A glass of wine and bruschetta was quickly devoured upon arrival, the victory of being alive was celebrated.

We are about to take another crack driving long distance by taking a little road trip around the middle of the North Island in NZ. It ain’t Tuscany, and it’s the middle of winter. We also now have two boys, who squabble after 10 minutes in the car… this could be interesting. But it is not the first road trip we have done with the boys so our expectations are not negative, neither are they highly exaggerated.

I have to admit, I hate driving. It isn’t something I enjoy, and driving with passengers has always made me a little anxious. Thankfully my husband would rather drive than be the sidekick so I can concentrate on being navigator and the entertainer to the two kiddos. Getting lost and finding your own way to a destination is sometimes part of the deal you get when you agree to a road trip. When we were in Italy on another occasion we stayed in a very small town for a night away from any big cities. We were hungry but there wasn’t anything we fancied in the hotel so we jumped in the car to scout for somewhere nice for dinner. We must have driven around for 20 minutes with no luck. No, we were not being picky or indecisive- though this usually is the culprit. We actually couldn’t find anything apart from a few pharmacies. It was beautiful, we were surrounded by rolling plains drenched in hues of orange and red as the sun was setting.

But my stomach was starting to take charge of my mind, I was starving and needed food to help my brain remember that I was in an incredibly beautiful part of the world. We had passed a corner store at some point so I suggested we turn around, head to the store and grab something, anything edible, and take it back to the hotel. We may end up with cookies and milk for dinner, but at least it was something. We pulled up, parked our car and walked into the store. My eyes went straight to the counter, where all I could find was lighters and key rings. My heart was starting to sink and I was starting to worry I was not going to survive without eating for an entire evening. Noise and lights from the back of the store quickly grabbed my attention though, and I noticed a small archway to another room. A man, standing at the doorway beckoned.

“Due person”? He asked. I nodded.

He took us through to a large restaurant filled with people laughing and talking around tables of huge, delicious looking pizzas. We sat down at the only table left and we were passed a menu.

I will never forget that pizza. It is still, today, the best pizza I have ever tasted.

Sometimes life brings you unexpected twists and turns. It seems, for me anyway, that these unexpected diversions and surprises frequent more while away from the comforts of home. Unless you are travelling to a holiday house you have had for years, or a place you frequently return to for respite, there will always be the unknowns on a vacation.

Maybe that is why I am a little apprehensive about driving long distances. What can you expect when driving for over four hours with two children? Maybe more than I bargained for. Or perhaps it will be better than expected. Whatever it is, I am sure there will be a story or two to tell.