I hope you can access this Economist article because it's wonderful. Truly brilliant.
The subject might seem banal, basically the hidden culture in motorway service stations, but, as in most things, the hidden grandeur, sorrow and joy of everyday life is beverywhere if you care to look. And it is beautifully expressed here.
Stop to consider the terrified staff in the petrol stations who need the money but they wish they didn't have to work in fear of getting their teeth smashed everynight.
The fact it's a meeting point for the Dad who has his son handed over for the weekend by his stepdad.
The sub-culture of Portugese folk, working their to escape the troubles at home.
Or just the bravery of people who would rather work anywhere else but here, yet soldier on.
This is real life. This.
Anyway, off for Christmas now. Have a good one.
NORTHERN PLANNER 
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