One of the first things, and the last, that we see when we visit Great Britain is the “services” on the motorway.  Usually, we pick up a car at Heathrow, and move onto the M25 (the London beltway) heading out to our destination…this summer our first night was in Cambridge.

Very soon after leaving the airport, we always want to stop and have a cup of coffee or tea and a break.  That’s where “services” come in, the common name in GB for “rest stops” on the highway. They are usually on a fairly complex “roundabout” off a motorway exit.

They almost seem American now, with Starbucks and KFC often featured.

But they also feature very British breaks, such as M&S (Marks & Spencer’s), Waitrose and Costa Coffee. Last year we even pulled in, pushed our car seats back, and took a kip (nap in American) before continuing on to Cornwall after an all night flight.  I often see others doing the same thing in the services car parks.

It now seems like a friendly greeting when we arrive…

and our last farewell before we turn the car back in.

Goodbye England for now.  I promise some great future posts on our visit this summer. I never had enough time to fit everything in, but there are stories to come.