Sat Navs are guilty of another crime against humanity! roars Mrs. M. We're losing our bearings and our ability to read maps.  We are no longer aware of where we are or how we got there.  We're losing interest in the countryside, churches, landmarks and all the unexpected places we once took joy in finding and exploring when we were driving to our destinations.  Children aren't developing basic skills in finding their way.

Mary Spence, the president of the British Cartographic Society, said in a speech recently that whereas an Ordnance Survey Map will show the church, the pub, the telephone box, the museum and heritage sites, Sat Navs are ‘demolishing thousands of years of history by not including them on the maps millions of us use everyday.'  Maps are meant to give us a sense of place, of where we are, and the incentive to explore an area.

Google was very defensive about their maps declaring that ‘internet maps will not lead to the death of paper maps.  Interactive maps are giving people information they want, when they want it.  It's adding a new dimension to map reading.'

Well, they would say that, wouldn't they?  I think of all the wonderful places, hotels, auberges, restaurants, and castles I've found while reading a map in the front seat as we drove across Europe.  I would shout out, ‘Turn here!' as old Volvo made a sharp exit from the Route du Soleil.   And Voila! an undiscovered and unplanned village appeared, which in itself is a joy to find.  Invariably we would find an Auberge du Charme or a delightful ‘routier.'  This is the pleasure of serendipty...finding something you didn't expect.... by going off the road and away from your destination.  These usually turn out to be the best places.

I guess they'll be using Sat Navs to go up Everest next!