Isn't that where I should be heading as an imminent retiree? Are they subconsciously setting me an example of how to behave. Is this an instance of the child becoming the parent? I suspect so judging by their disapproval of my recent antics when chasing after "abusive" motorists!
That's the wonderful thing about Grandchildren. They never disapprove. I took four of them to Warwick Castle during the half-term holiday. We missed the A46 junction on the M6...too busy talking. Hardly a word of dissent during the extra half an hour we added to the journey. The 20 minute walk from the car park wasn't a problem - except for the ones who always tell it as it is! And what acclaim when I waved my pre-booking voucher to one of the Greeters and we managed to "VIP our way in" ahead of the long queues. 
The day was a great success! My inaugural packed lunch was enthusiastically put away. Responsibility for choosing and navigating us to the programme of attractions was skilfully delegated and readily accepted, and I felt that I anticipated their expectations very well. OK... Maybe they were "very understanding" when the early vantage point I grabbed to watch the jousting was obscured by pushy latecomers! Perhaps they were also "very grown up" about settling for the £4 replica sword instead of the authentic looking £10 full-sized version! And maybe the fun was mine alone as we played "find the lost car" as we returned to the wooded car park!
Heading home, I decided against the slower scenic route via Leamington, electing to turn left and head for the A46 and the M42..... and the first traffic jam!!! This was the customary M42 rush hour fantasy incident and not surprisingly there was some bewilderment as 30 minutes later we passed by the alleged incident?
Picking up speed to 20 mph we were soon on the M6....and quickly into the second traffic jam. We didn't move for over half ann hour and I began to sense growing indifference to my attempts to entertain. Then the day's accumulation of cold drinks had the inevitable effect! Boredom turned to painful anguish. My absent minded observation that we would have been home an hour ago if we'd gone via Leamington didn't help. Then relief all round as the traffic moves and we hurry into Corley Services for further relief all round.
Despite not having moved much in the previous two hours the good old Lexus 300 didn't stop using fuel at a bankrupting rate, so a vital fill up was necessary before we left Corley. What is it about motorway services that gets you so disorientated? Whatever it is, it led me the wrong side of the car pump area. I weighed up the idea of reversing back between exiting juggernauts. Cool? No!! Stupid? Yes!! We went with the traffic, back out onto the M6, and with a near empty tank. Hiding my anxiety well, it was a totally unexpected exit that we made at Coventry in search of a petrol station. The hint of surprise in the chorus of "where are we going now?" suggested that my reservoir of trust and goodwill was also verging on empty. But a refuelled Lexus and a large bag of chocolate eclairs from the forecourt shop soon restored my infallibale grandfather status. Back to a thankfully free-flowing M6 and with no further incidents we were off home to download stories to their mothers of a "brilliant day out with grandad!"
Afterwards, when thinking back on this graciousness that kids generously bestow on their grandparents it made me ask myself - why is it that we have to lose that forebearance towards others? Do we have to mature into sceptical and critical adults who feel the need to offer opinions whether they're useful or not? Should we not try harder to retain the graciousness of children?
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