Behind the wheel with Prue Leith

Words: Danny Scott

Where has been your favourite road trip destination?
My number one UK destination is always Edinburgh. My husband John likes driving and he’s got a Kia Sorento, which is perfect. I can get some work done on my laptop and occasionally fall asleep. We always stop at Tebay Services, just north of Kendal on the M6, because they do OK coffee and very good cake. We do this road trip at least twice a year and I find the six hours it takes relaxing and exciting, too, because we are going to my absolute favourite city.

Where’s the number one place on your bucket list?
There are a few. In the autumn, we’re off to the Baltic states: Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. And with luck, we’re hoping to spend a few days in Poland. Before that, though, we’re driving right down the coast of Puglia, stopping in some of those fabled towns and villages like Lecce, Alberobello, Martina Franca, Monopoli and Fasano. Are my travels all about food? Not at all. John’s a real history lover... If there’s an ancient monument en route, he’ll know about it. 

What’s your ultimate travel song?
My mother, 75 years ago, used to sing Danny Kaye’s ‘Ugly Duckling’ to my brothers and me on road trips. It’s probably better if I don’t listen to music when I’m travelling because I can’t sing a note!  
 

What is your most dramatic road trip story?
There was the time when we arrived too late at our camp in the Kruger National Park. Unfortunately, the gates were locked and we had to spend the night driving around the reserve. It was actually rather lovely... Watching the owls and the nightjars, listening to the nighttime sound of nature. We also came across several families of lions, prowling along the roads, possibly looking for something to eat. In the day, you are lucky to see them fast asleep under a tree! 

What are your three packing essentials?
I’ve never been a fancy traveller. As long as I’ve got a good book, a couple of boxes of decaf teabags and my own pillow, I’m happy. 
 
Do you have any clever travel tips?
Pack the day before so you have time to remember all the things you will (definitely!) have forgotten.

What’s your dream car? And where in the world would you most want to drive it?
All those sports cars look lovely from the outside but is there enough room for me to tip the spacious, comfortable passenger seat right back and have a kip? And where would I want to drive it? Wherever I’m headed, travel always makes me happy. 

Do you think you’re a good traveller?
Yes. I’m curious about the world, I like new sights and sounds and I can sleep anywhere... even in an airport lounge. A lot of people get stressed by delays and ticket problems, but I’ve always been very philosophical about it. Getting stressed isn’t going to make a traffic jam disappear.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be, and why?
Hard to choose, really. Maybe China or Japan because I’ve never spent time in either. Or maybe somewhere I know and love like Cape Town – my birthplace – New York or Paris.  

Prue Leith’s latest book, Being Old and Learning to Love It, is out now.

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