Experimental Travel

[squirmelia]

Expedition to K2

Undertaking an expedition to K2 at first seemed like a daunting task, since my map's grid-reference system only went up to H2. Luckily, a map of Northampton had an appropriate K2 square. In that square was a road named Chatsworth Avenue, and although Southampton lacked such a road, Bitterne possessed a Chatsworth Road, so that was concluded close enough.

As I began the ascent, I quickly realised that the mountain was snow-capped (covered in white chocolate buttons), full of mountain beasts (stone owls) and strange alien substances (weird foamy plastic yellow stuff). I was unsure why there was a boat stuck halfway up the mountain, why a gnome had attempted the hike, or if the local delicacy really was natural and artificial fruit flavoured cuffs. The view from the peak (a busy road) was a little disappointing, but my imagination was sufficient for me to act amazed anyway.

Ariadne's Thread

The travel experiment that is known as Ariadne's Thread consists of an "Ariadne" listing 10 places in the city that are meaningful to them. These are then plotted on a map, lines are drawn between them and the lines are followed. So, to participate in this travel experiment, list a number of places that are meaningful to you, preferably in Southampton, but if you live somewhere else, I will choose what I think are the Southampton equivalents of those places. I will then try to follow the thread and see the Southampton that is somehow meaningful to you. For example, in The Lonely Planet Guide to Experimental Travel, the Ariadne listed 10 "first times" - the place she first drank whiskey, the place she first fainted, etc.