Image source: Wikipedia
It was in 1908 that Toad, that incorrigible, obsessive Toad, first burst forth into the consciousness of an unsuspecting public.
And with him came the representation of a whole new hobby, a passion then mint-new: that of driving a motor car.
“In an instant (as it seemed) the peaceful scene was changed,” writes Kenneth Graham, in his classic Wind In The Willows. “and with a blast of wind and a whirl of sound that made them jump for the nearest ditch, it was on them!
“The ‘Poop poop’ rang with a brazen shout in their ears, they had a moment’s glimpse of an interior of glittering plate-glass and rich morocco, and the magnificent motor-car, magnificent, breath-snatching, passionate, with its pilot tense and hugging his wheel, possessed all earth and air for the fraction of a second, flung an enveloping cloud of dust that blinded them and enwrapped them utterly, then dwindled to a speck in the far distance, changed back into a droning bee once more.”
That was Toad’s first fateful encounter with a motor car: the meeting would change his life and drive him to crime and ruin and wearing a washerwoman’s dress.
Yet he was not the only one to fall deeply in love with these early motors. Driving was not just a business of getting from A to B and beating the traffic: in those days it was a pleasure-pastime, before motorways, when you were the fastest thing on the road.
I browsed a bookshop I have never browsed before, today. And stumbled on a perfectly preserved record of what it must have been like, before the motorways, when one set out of a drive for a bit of a lark, to explore and see what one could see.
In Britain, when you break down, one of the main rescuers is the Automobile Association.
While they arrive in great big repair vans fit for purpose, it has not always been thus.
No: the AA started at the Trocadero, in London’s West End, where those who could afford this bewitching new sport formed a group to promote the interests of the motor car driver.
Their first patrols to aid those who were broken down took place in 1908, on weekends only, on two of the major leisure routes: the roads to Brighton and Portsmouth. And those early knights of the road were not motor powered: rather, they rode on bicycles.
They grew with startling rapidity, By 1914, 83,000 members were recorded. They swiftly became part of the establishment, so that in 1953 when a new monarch was crowned, it was the AA who provided all the road signing, parking and traffic control arrangements.They had offices in all the most important gateways to England and Wales, as well a comfy pad at Le Touquet.
The AA issued a manual, of course. A ‘road book’, of England and Wales.
It included everything Toad might need: a gazetteer (geographical index of towns), maps and town plans. And ‘itineraries’ – routes from one place to another, with affable descriptions of gradients and scenery likely to fly by.
In the bookshop today I found a pristine copy of one printed in 1965. And as such, it is a snapshot of days gone by.
In this England, there are but 375 miles worth of motorway; town plans are free of the development which clogs them these days, and roads are not purely numbers but routes with personality. In the world of AA 1965, the six great A-roads are still known by their names: Great North, Dover, Portsmouth, Bath, Holyhead and Manchester.
Open its pages and you just have to slow down, and read the comfortable itineraries prepared for adventurous Toads everywhere.
If motoring was thus now, I might live in my car.
As Toad might say: “Poop, poop!”
Kate Shrewsday 
Interesting to read of a By-pass back then Kate.
The traffic was growing all the time, Jim…
What a wonderful find. It’s especially interesting knowing all the places mentioned, isn’t it. I was in Chiddingfold for lunch last Wednesday. The Crown is worth a visit if you are passing, but make sure you raid all piggy banks first.
Oooh, thanks for the tip. Myfanwy!
very interesting Kate.
🙂
Fabulous piece. I remember the AA motorbike patrols saluting as they approached a member’s car on the road, each one of which was identified by a large chrome and enamel badge attached to the radiator grille.. On the map of London, that you feature, I noticed a place called “Peggy Bedford” P.H, just to the West of London Airport. What is “Peggy Bedford”?
Ah, now that, Roger, is a story all its own. The Peggy Bedford- formerly the King’s Head – was an old coaching in dating from the early 1800s. It survived fire in 1936, only to be bulldozed for a MacDonalds. A really illuminating article on the old Bath Road here: http://www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/west-london-news/local-uxbridge-news/2010/08/10/historic-highway-to-airport-bypass-what-next-for-bath-road-113046-27036651/
Something has that has changed beyond recognition, we no longer travel to experience but to get from A to B in the quickest dash possible. 🙂
Sad, isn’t it, IE?
Mostly in the interest of preserving the pricey gasoline, stretching a tank as far as possible. I remember when Sunday afternoon drives with Mom and Dad provided interesting and inexpensive entertainment; no longer the case. 😦
Very true, Karen…
I remember reading, years ago in a biography, of how difficult it was back in the early days. People would set out on one of those drives, take too long, and have a horrible time trying to get home in the dark with no headlights. Was it Jennie Jerome who had to perch on the hood with a lantern as her husband creeped along in the dark? I can’t remember. But what an adventure!
Wouldn’t you have loved to be there and see it, Katie? You’re right; the car represented the most wonderful adventure.
I have been a member of the American Automobile Association for a very long time and still enjoy picking up the “Trip-Tiks” with all the routes and descriptions. Not as colorful as those shown here, but, fun just the same.
Planning to meander is so much fun, isn’t it, Lou?
So: you are a member. Ever rescued by someone on a bike? 😀
No, no biker rescues, but, I have availed myself of their services at least once in 40 years. I think they are making a lot of money off me. 🙂
We went on Mystery Rides with my grandparents, regularly. Tooting around from town to town to see what we could see. No destination required in order to enjoy the journey.
Poop poop!
Fantastic, Nancy. The perfect way to explore.
Love this post — love maps — loved Wind in the Willows (think I ought to re-read it)!
Don’t know if you’re Kindle-ing yet, but Gutenberg do a free WITW: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/289
Nope, I “Nook” — have to check whether B&N offers this one! 🙂
Dear Kate, your posting today helped me remember the days after World War II and gas-rationing ended when Dad and Mom, my little brother, and I would go for a Sunday ride around the countryside.
How well also I remember the first vacation we took together. I was 22, getting ready to enter the convent, and my brother was 19 and had bought his first car–a Chevrolet. We drove from Missouri to Colorado and up to Pike’s Peak.
On television at the time, Dinah Shore–a singer/actress–had a 15-minute show sponsored by Chevrolet. At the beginning of each show she’d sing, “See the U. S. A. in your Chevrolet. American is asking you to call!” (Or something like that.) And here we were the four of us seeing the U.S.A.! What a wonderful memory. Thank you for eliciting it from me today.
And thank you also, Kate, for visiting my blog while I’ve been away for six weeks. If you have one or so postings that you’d especially like me to read, please let me know. Peace.
It is always a pleasure, Dee, tp pop in and see how you are doing. Your writing is unfailingly compelling, and I love to hear your perspective on things.
Your road trip sounds absolutely wonderful.
Interesting. Somehow, the image of you browsing the bookstore and stumbling upon this book stands out from this piece.
I am an obsessive collector of literary trivia, Kathy. I love tales of Dr Johnson and the piles of tatty tomes which filled his house. Somehow today it looks rather pristine in comparison. While I’m no Johnson, I do love ‘ideas’ books: and there is no better place to get them than from a shop where other s have read and deemed these books worthy of passing on.
You lured me in with the title (“What is she up to now,” I asked myself… 🙂 ), and you kept me with the content. Fun and interesting read!
Thanks, Carrie: Toad was a funa and interesting guy. There are days when I wish he was not fictional. And indeed, I wonder if he was based on someone the author knew?
What a fantastic post! I loved know more about Toad’s world ;).
It was a vivid one 🙂
Oh, Toad. I am not a huge fan of Disney’s short adaptations, except for Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, which was until its demise, my favorite ride in The Magic Kingdom. There was something about the non sequitur of the trip through hell that appealed. The appeal of the early motorists? Completely understandable.
Oh, the lawlessness of a country without a Highway Code, Cameron! A Veritable new frontier for aspiring motorists!
My father loved driving–tho’ much more safely than Mr. Toad–and we spent many Sunday afternoons wandering along little back roads just to see what was there. When I was a teen, getting a drivers’ license was the universal rite of passage. I’ve read that American teenagers aren’t so interested in driving now–cell phones and social media have replaced the automobile. I think they’re a little crazy, but then I’m a senior citizen and my views are obsolete.
Driving is so much more utilitaran these days in the UK, Kathy. The romance of a road trip across the USA is still something some of us hanker after.
When the Lovely Miss TK and I moved from the east coast to the west coast, I decided to drive cross country just to see the U.S. I did it in five days and thoroughly enjoyed it. Teresa did not accompany me as she was taking care of the final details in Savannah, GA before she flew to San Francisco. Great memories.
Just the sort of trek I would love, Lou. Exploring for the sheer fun of it.
It would’ve been great to have one of these for the past few days. So much better than the GPS.
Although someone in the passenger seat would be good, Andra!
I love Mr. Toad. He is such a scamp. Some day I’d love to venture out on a road trip, go for a wild ride. Mr. Toad would love that, too.
Oh, for a Mr Toad to accompany us, Judy…
Given the traffic density in London the AA might have to revert to bicycles 🙂
Sounds like a top idea to me, Tandy!
I like GPS and my husband likes a good old-fashioned map. He will still go to AAA to pick up a “paper map” to take with us on our frequent jaunts. It isn’t unusual for us to comment on how a road or bypass has changed from what we remember on a previous trip. Despite our really intense traffic and the cost of fuel, we still love to spend time driving and just exploring a bit! I am certain the book you found is very interesting. I love to look at old books that tell the story of a city from a different era!
It really is like stepping back in time, Debra…
Three cheers for Toad and Graham and AA – and an extra one for Kate!
We’ve been known to enjoy our little road trips and, like others who have commented, use a GPS, a map, and carry our AAA card as well. Though no riders in bikes have rescued us, we have been saved and towed and such on several occasions over the years. Such a wonderful post, Kate. I’m put-put-putzing around these days, like Toad in his motorcar, taking forever to get to posts, even my own, but always find something new and entertaining here on your side of the pond.
The world is stuffed with interesting things, isn’t it, Penny?
It is, indeed, Kate.
I’m some how reminded of the writing of JB Priestly… was it The Good Companions who travel in style over the country in 1929?
I am of sufficiently advanced age to remember all the joys and hazards of some earlier motoring days – when the country roads here were so country that a child of eight could be entrusted with driving for quite long stretches, Utter magic. No AA to speak of, though!
Intro of motor car New York City early 1900’s seen as a boon to end pollution. “End pollution ?”you might ask. Well a horse drops 22 pounds of poo poo a day and with a city with over 10,000 horses – do the math. I wonder where they put it all. Perhaps sent it to Washington DC government offices where apparently it still remains.
Thanks a lot of interesting information that I had no clue about.
Those detailed itineraries are fascinating! But what is even more fascinating is how you meld a tattered discovery in an old bookshop with a literary character, and create such wonderful stories! Thank you Kate 🙂
I can remember my Uncle’s Yellow AA books that he kept in his Austin Cambridge – my Father didn’t drive. I still prefer the adventure of the hidden byway or backroad. I hate motorways and only use them when there is little choice. I probably knew 75% of the backroads of Hertfordshire and Essex at one stage but I’ve not done nearly so much driving over the last few years.