About a year ago my husband and I flew to the UK to celebrate one of his Big-0 birthdays.

His dream was to see all the museums.  Mine was to see the Cotswolds, even though it meant either renting a car or signing up for a tour.  According to Rick Steves, driving in the UK is no big deal and so foolishly, after seeing London, we rented a car at Heathrow Airport.  (click here to read Dear Rick Steves, my disgruntled letter to that supposed travel expert!)

Our plan was to stay in Stratford on Avon and then drive from village to village, however, after blowing a tire and then waiting for the repairman for three hours by the side of the road in a nasty rainstorm, the idea of driving the English countryside had lost its charm. We were ready to settle for a walk around Stratford when the proprietor of our B&B produced a set of

“foolproof” driving instructions which he insisted we try. Alas, they were very little help.  We ended up lost and driving in circles (literally!) until miraculously stumbling upon Chipping Campden where we found a parking lot in the center of town and ditched the car!  Next time we’re springing for the tour and bringing blindfolds.