There’s something oddly magical about British motorway service stations at 7 a.m. on a Tuesday. Maybe it’s the smell of overbrewed coffee mingling with the faint whiff of petrol, or the sight of bleary-eyed commuters trying to make sense of a sausage bap. Either way, that’s where my latest travel tale begins - a road trip from Macclesfield to Maidenhead, soundtracked by a playlist that could only be described as... eclectic.

The Journey Begins

It all kicked off with a pickup at Macclesfield train station. Savannah, our newest team member, hopped into the car with a coffee in one hand and a playlist in the other. Now, I’m not one to shy away from musical adventure, but nothing quite prepares you for the sonic rollercoaster that is Swana’s unfiltered Spotify curation. Imagine transitioning from the soothing sitar of classical Indian music to the guttural growls of early 2000s thrash metal - all within the same motorway junction.

Consequently, energized, happy, and not even a tiny little bit sarcastic about looking forward to this evening's event and dinner

We hit the M6 with System of a Down blaring through the speakers, and I’ll admit, it was hard not to feel a bit like we were on a mission. A very loud, very metal mission. But as the miles rolled by and the playlist shifted from heavy riffs to haunting ballads, I found myself oddly invigorated. There’s something about unexpected music that wakes you up more effectively than any double espresso ever could.

Arrival in Maidenhead

After four hours of driving, laughing, and the occasional impromptu headbanging session, we rolled into Maidenhead. The Premier Inn, our humble abode for the night, greeted us with the kind of understated charm only a budget hotel chain can offer.

Clean sheets, a kettle, and a bathroom that doesn’t require a manual - what more could you want?

We had just enough time to freshen up before heading out for the main event: dinner with clients just outside Henley. Now, if you’ve never been to Henley, picture a postcard-perfect English town with winding lanes, riverside pubs, and the kind of countryside that makes you want to start writing poetry about sheep. It’s lovely. Really.

The next chapter of this video, I hope will be myself and my colleagues having a very lovely dinner just outside Henley with a number of our clients

From Metal to Mingling

As we made our way to the dinner venue, I found myself reflecting on the odd but delightful contrast of the day. That morning, I was navigating the roundabouts of Cheshire with nu-metal as my co-pilot. That evening, I was shaking hands with clients over canapés, discussing storytelling strategies and sipping something that definitely wasn’t brewed in a service station.

And yet, it all felt connected. The journey, the music, the people - it’s all part of the same story. That’s the thing about travel, especially when it’s work-related. It’s not just about getting from point A to point B. It’s about the moments in between - the shared playlists, the spontaneous laughter, the way a long drive can turn colleagues into co-conspirators.

Hopefully, it will not consist of Swana playing Alice in Chains and screaming the lyrics at the top of her voice, but you never know

Looking Ahead

As I sit here in my hotel room, reflecting on the day, I can’t help but feel grateful. Grateful for the chaos, the camaraderie, and yes, even the thrash metal. Tomorrow, we’ll be back at it - meetings, presentations, more stories to capture and share. But tonight, we’ll raise a glass in Henley, toast to good company, and maybe - just maybe - convince Swana to leave Alice in Chains off the dinner playlist.

Because at the end of the day, it’s these moments that make the work worthwhile. The long drives, the unexpected soundtracks, the laughter that echoes louder than any power chord.

It’s not always glamorous, but it’s always memorable.

And really, isn’t that what storytelling is all about?