There is nothing better than waking up in the morning, packing a bag, jumping in the car and going for a road trip. By the time I left Cheltenham I had a full tank of gas, half a pack of baccy and I was wearing sunglasses.

My route took me through the Forrest of Dean, and with the seasons sun sitting low in the sky, the autumnal green and gold was warm and calming. As I strayed into the familiar territory of the heads of the valleys the sky turned grey and the autumn scenery was interrupted with the slender blades of wind turbines. They seem quite surreal.

Passing Pembroke the satnav decided to take the scenic route through small lanes winding up and over mountains until Fishguard harbour came into sight. The sea looked calm only gently swaying the few fishing boats moored in waiting.

The crossing was very smooth even though the captain announced before moving out that he would be using stabilisers. Must be a trainee captain. And now I get to set foot on the Emerald Isle for the first time, Ireland being the only country in these sceptres isles I have never visited before.

And finally I arrive in Claremorris after nearly 5 hours of driving through a mixture of dual carriageways and windy lanes. A few glasses of whiskey and it’s off to to bed before meeting the rest of the clan tomorrow. And Noah says I can walk to school with him tomorrow.