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As the first of 2 mega, “phew whatta scorcher” bank holiday weekends drew to a close, there stretched in front of me a massive drive from the Southwest tip of Cornwall back home to London. To accompany the children’s cries of “are we there yet?”, the entertainment provider: the car radio. But what delights did it provide…?

Porthleven to Bodmin:
First up – Radio 1. They were featuring the 1Xtra takeover – great way of showcasing BBC Radio – but not many singalong songs for the 4 and 7 year old. So on came Pirate FM – seemingly playing a whole day of ” nothing but number ones”. Pirate FM certainly delivered on “more music variety” – this included Bucks Fizz “Makin’ Your Mind Up”, The Jam “A town called Malice” and loads more. Think the station has upped it’s game since I was last down in August. And enough singalong songs for the kids too. Not so sure the listeners really would care about the fact that the station is “voted number 1 in the Sunday Times Top 100 Smal Companies to Work For” in the news jingle every hour. But a nice award nonetheless.

Bodmin to Exeter:
As we lost Pirate Fm, a request from the back for “Times Table Challenge”. Those of you not to have yet had the pleasure of this or similar offerings from the Early Learning Centre have a treat in store. 30 minutes of repetitive educational “songs”. Note to self: get in car DAB fitted quickly – at least that way I could offer up Fun Kids. Though not sure what the kids will make of Breakfast with Jedward

Exeter to Ilminster A303:
It’s 5pm so time for PM on Radio 4. Sadly not Eddie Mair but informative as always. And then had to try and explain “why are they bombing Libya Dad?”> Note to BBC News – maybe there needs to be Newsround for Kids on the radio somewhere?

Tea stop:
Little Chef. Yes really. It’s one of the new ones with a Heston Blumenthal-inspired menu. I had fish and chips since you ask – but NO LOLLIPOPS. This is a #FAIL

Ilminster to M3
Back in the car, radio back on and on comes The Unbelievable Truth from BBC Radio 4. Then The Archers. Then a fascinating programme on Andy Wharhol’s last week in London from the Front Row team.

Megan (7) now asleep. Daniel (4) is still wide awake.

Switch to BBC Radio 2. It’s Jo Whiley tonight. Haven’t heard her since she had the free transfer from Radio 1 – and the music was great for an early evening drive. There were a couple of tracks that I’d loved to find out more about – but I was driving. Maybe my car radio needs a button that let’s me bookmark sings for further research or enquiry. Maybe Radio-Tag will help in the future? It was music by tUnE YaRdS – hard to describe but a good example of music curation as described by Nik Goodman last week.

Stonehenge:
Daniel needs the toilet. Quick stop, then he requests “Old McDonald” to be sung. For 20 minutes. He ended up with a lion on the farm… Carnage.

M3
Megan is now awake. She wants some songs she knows and asks for Capital FM. Thank God for disposable pop. It’s after 10pm – and the uncensored version of Rihanna S&M comes on. “Dad – the words are different..” Back to “Old McDonald then…