Browsing the BBC news website during my lunch break, I came across this amusing tale of a course designed to increase our appreciation of motorways and motorway service stations. As the introduction to the piece puts it:

 

There’s more to motorways than tarmac, tailbacks and tepid coffee served at tourist prices. To prove it a lecturer took a minibus of students on a day-long tour of the M1.

 

Many people suppress feelings of mild dread at the idea of spending any time at all on the motorway. Few struggle with secret yearnings for the over-lit service stations areas that dot their routes.

This is all the brainchild of Peter Lawrence who, apparently, has a PhD in motorway services. Much as I approve of his dedication (and wonder why he’s never contributed to motorwayservices.info), I can’t help thinking that there can’t be that much original research you can do about MSAs. I’d love to read a copy of his thesis.