Before mass air travel made it affordable to fly to your vacation destination, the only way to go on vacation was by driving a car.
For those in the southeast, traveling to France was easy and there were a choice of ports to minimize travel time and allow you to find new places of interest for you and the family.
For some, the distance was not an issue and many British families traveled to Spain and Portugal and learned about new and different cultures, especially while eating local dishes that are now available at home.
Most worried about driving “the wrong side of the road”, especially in remote locations with no expressways or highways, but there were many memories and usually it was mom who made dad drive off and then got him using a map to the goal.
Back then there was no GPS or sophisticated gadgets!
This was also a cheaper way to travel as the whole family was crammed in the car and every space was used to the full for the entire trip.
For some, RVs offered even more choice and space, and Europe led the way when it comes to campsites with great facilities.
Everyone had a lot of fun and education, even if it was a real challenge at times to come up with new games to keep the kids happy.
My wife and I, along with most of the country, didn’t venture very far during the pandemic and since it was our wedding day I decided to try and find a getaway with the least amount of hassle and a sense of security in the current situation .
My first choice was Cornwall but it was all booked and I remembered visiting Jersey when I was young so I arranged a car ferry from Poole as well as a pleasant hotel.
Peter Vosper with his Ford Mustang Mach E
– Credit: Vospers Ford
Our new Mustang Mach E would give me the opportunity not only to find out what range is available, but also how easy it would be to recharge with minimal inconvenience.
I was delighted that there were a lot of charging stations and since it is a small island there was never any fear that we would run out.
Jersey also has a speed limit of 40 mph and there are very few expressways so pedestrians and cyclists are better tolerated.
Local residents and visitors seemed to mix well and the hospitality and friendliness resembled a holiday in Devon and Cornwall.
There was great interest in our car and this trip has certainly given me the confidence to go on even more driving holidays with an electric car in the future.
It’s easy with Brittany Ferries, which operate from Plymouth to France and Spain, and of course, many Europeans come to our area for a holiday in return.
Technology ensures we know where the nearest charging points are, and with new, longer-range batteries, it’s easier and cheaper to drive than gasoline or diesel and improve the planet’s air quality.
Although there will certainly be alternatives to the internal combustion engine, the rise of battery-powered cars is on the way.
Keep an eye out for more choices and maybe you can enjoy your own time out on the open road and experience new adventures with loved ones or the whole family.
Stay healthy and keep smiling. I am looking forward to next week.
