THERE have been plenty of signs the Super Mum family is in a different country.

The clearest signs of all are those on the side of the road.

Road liable to icing.

Watch out for deer.

Watch out for otters.

Well, we were all watching, but not a deer or otter was to be seen.

Glad to say there was no ice either.

What I did see, quite clearly, was the difference in road conditions, and driver behaviour.

Queensland drivers could take a lesson or two from those in northern Scotland.

Patience must be one Scottish virtue.

With many country roads just single lane (that is one lane in total, not one each way) there is many a time you find yourself sitting in a passing bay hoping that oncoming lorry has enough room to safely go past so you can continue on your way with all paint still attached to your vehicle.

I half expect to see Bill Oddie and co come out of the hedges at any time on their bicycle built for three.

If you are lucky to get two-lane roads, another virtue you need is alertness.

There is a lot to be alert about.

Even though there might be two whole lanes to drive in, there are no parking spaces on the sides. But that doesn't stop people from parking.

So you might find yourself merrily driving along only to discover the end of the road because of a parked car ahead, or several. So there you sit, patiently again, until the road ahead of you is clear to go around.

If there are no parked cars, you might still find the road narrows unexpectedly, back to one lane again, with a merging barrier looming out of nowhere.

I have to admit I have quite enjoyed the driving.

It is not just the luxury of our fancy hire car with its his-and-hers temperature dials, a lifesaving GPS system and sensor parking that saved me one embarrassing and potentially expensive incident. (That other parked car just came out of nowhere).

It seems all cars are of the fancy variety. Nothing like a beat up Datsun 180B on these roads.

But there are plenty of pushbikes. I'll keep looking for a three-seater. I might still spot a Goodie yet.