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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

disaster journey home w w u have done...

303 replies

Sarah510 · 12/08/2020 11:59

So, coming back from campsite yesterday, the battery in my phone was low-ish but I wasn't too worried as I had bought a solar charger, which worked perfectly on the drive down, and I was able to charge my phone as I was driving. 2 kids and a dog in the back (just FYI!)

Couldn't get solar charger to work :( Battery getting lower and lower. I tried to get the directions into my memory, but the last bit of the journey is all motorways and junctions, and always rely on google maps to get me home - only lived in the area a few months. Soooo, phone dies about an hour from home. Tried to find the way on the motorway but came off at wrong exit, ended up so lost, miles away from home. Thougth could I charge my phone in mcdonalds - found one, but they said it wasn't allowed (understandably). Went to a petrol station to buy a map - didn't have any. Asked lots of people, nobody knew. Finally found a sign to a town that I've visited a few times, so went there, Its about 10 miles from home. It was pitch dark by now and we'd been travelling for more than 6 hours, so very fraught in the car. I thought I recognised the 'road home', but went wrong somewhere. Finally stopped at another petrol station, no maps again, but asked the lady, and thank god she knew my town. If it wasn't for her I think I'd still be driving round. I learned my lesson anyway. Never ever go out without a map, or backup written directions. I felt so guilty for my poor kids, I feel like I let them down. (and they think that too, rightly so as it was idiotic). I do have a sat nav in the car but it just stopped working one day, for no reason, so I always just use my phone now. Anyway, I dont' think I'm even going to tell my friends/family as I'm so embarrassed at putting us all at risk like that, and putting us through it. A 3.5 hour journey took more than 7 hours :( Voting: UANBU - ok to rely on technology. UABU - always have a map in the car!!!!

OP posts:
Sophiafour · 12/08/2020 18:01

Just to clarify, we have 2 cables that plugs into the cigarette lighter; you can either just plug your phone in with the microusb cable, on one; the other has 2 USB ports so you could plug a normal usb cable in, with a microusb at the end to connect to your phone, if that makes sense. It wasn't expensive, I think we got it at Halfords or Argos or somewhere.

Hairthrowaway · 12/08/2020 18:04

Even if you can’t use a car charger, you can always buy a power bank? I have one from anker which fits around 10 full iPhone XS charges.

Fink · 12/08/2020 18:33

Cigarette lighter phone chargers don't work on all phones. I have a phone that for some reason requires a 5v minimum power supply to charge, and so it won't charge on any car chargers. I really wish I'd known this when getting the upgrade as my old phone was fine.

I'm bad with directions as I have aphantasia, but I would memorise the general outline of the route (verbally in my head) and where my destination was in relation to big cities. Then I'd probably also memorise where it was in relation to nearby small towns for when I get closer. But I just threw away my paper atlas this week because it was so old I thought a lot of the roads would probably have changed anyway. So when we go on holiday next week I will definitely be relying on technology.

Joeblack066 · 12/08/2020 18:35

I’ve bought numerous in car chargers from garages when they’ve given up- google maps uses no end of battery! You didn’t ‘let anyone down’ OP, jut got stressed and lost! But why didn’t you stop and buy a charger?!

Original poster
Sarah510 · 12/08/2020 18:37

thanks so much for all the tips! am going to get a power bank if I cant have an in car charger… and going to write out the directions for the RETURN journey as well as the outward one ;) I have a feeling google maps brought us on a very circuitous route on the way though, as one minute it said we would arrive in 2 hours 53 mins then the next minute it said 3 hours 40. I wonder if you take a wrong turn does it automatically calculate and not tell you..? It brought us a very different way home that started off shorter but once again seemed to alter mid journey. On the way out it brought us off the motorway at some point saying there was a road closure, but I wonder was there really, hard to know itsnt it.

OP posts:
FlamingoAndJohn · 12/08/2020 18:39

@AgentProvocateur

You don’t need a map (which would have been hard to follow if you were driving too) but you do need a phone charger that plugs into your cigarette lighter if you don’t have a USB port.
How do you think we did it in the old days before Sat Nav?
BlueSlice · 12/08/2020 18:42

Did your children not have phones?

marmitegirl01 · 12/08/2020 19:04

Yep my thought. Not one child had a phone? If they are old enough to feel let down ( I’d sack that off straight away!!) then old enough for phone or to help you and calm you down

Waytoomuch82 · 12/08/2020 19:07

The op post blank refuses to acknowledge any question re whether either her 12 or 16 year old had a phone!

Hairthrowaway · 12/08/2020 19:28

Yes, if you make a wrong turn google maps will “go with the flow” (if it can) and reroute the journey from where you currently are. If you have to turn back to continue, it will show that on the route.

Hairthrowaway · 12/08/2020 19:29

There probably was a road closure too. I’m sure you’ll find angry tweets

SavageBeauty73 · 12/08/2020 19:31

Why didn't you just buy a car charger in a garage? 🤷‍♀️

ChateauMargaux · 12/08/2020 20:00

Don't stress... this shit happens. We have a vintage camper van so can't charge our phones and old phones which often run out as well as crappy power backs which are useless when needed!!

If google maps redirects you due to traffic / accidents it can throw you.

Using google maps all the time has taken our ability to navigate locally but given us the ability to navigate globally!! I remember when I moved house 20 years ago, I was so used to my old home town I knew everywhere but in new home, I used Google maps and had no idea where things were in relation to each other.

Good luck, it won't happen again and your kids will learn to save their batteries too!!

Original poster
Sarah510 · 12/08/2020 20:17

DS didn't bring his phone and DD's phone had no battery - well it did at the start and we used it for a while, but then it died too.

OP posts:
Reviewsplease · 12/08/2020 20:47

Google maps will redirect you if there is traffic or a road closure but normally it warns you first.

There have been many times that google has tried to redirect but I look for a different route as their suggestion is not always best

FinnyStory · 12/08/2020 20:54

I'd like to think that both a 16yo and a 12yo could help with that situation rather than accusing mum of letting everyone down. You can find most places by following road signs if you've got a vague idea of which direction you need to go/what you should pass on the way.

RB68 · 12/08/2020 20:56

And all for the sake of an inexpensive cable...

PasswordPatroller · 12/08/2020 21:33

You live and learn and won't be doing that again.

I have the whole lot: map, cigarette lighter charger, cable and written directions. On my written directions I always have the full postal address for the destination as well as contact names and phone numbers. Also I have my breakdown cover details and their assistance number.

Hairthrowaway · 12/08/2020 21:36

What made you buy a solar powered phone charger instead of a power bank to begin with?Grin I’ve never even heard of them! What if your phone died at night etc

winetime89 · 12/08/2020 21:40

Do not feel bad. This is something I would do. I can't get to places I don't know without a satnav. you got everyone home safely and that's the main thing.

Hingeandbracket · 12/08/2020 21:53

@Fink

Cigarette lighter phone chargers don't work on all phones. I have a phone that for some reason requires a 5v minimum power supply to charge, and so it won't charge on any car chargers. I really wish I'd known this when getting the upgrade as my old phone was fine.

I'm bad with directions as I have aphantasia, but I would memorise the general outline of the route (verbally in my head) and where my destination was in relation to big cities. Then I'd probably also memorise where it was in relation to nearby small towns for when I get closer. But I just threw away my paper atlas this week because it was so old I thought a lot of the roads would probably have changed anyway. So when we go on holiday next week I will definitely be relying on technology.

Pretty much all phones charge at 5v The car chargers step down the car’s 12v to 5v. If they don’t work in your car, the fag lighter socket, the charger or the cable are faulty.
TheAquaticDuchess · 12/08/2020 22:12

Honestly OP, it sounds like you’ve had a lucky escape. Going camping without an in-car phone charger or power bank, things could have gone much worse! You’ll know better for next time!

Eng123 · 12/08/2020 22:13

Yep any car with a cigarette lighter can have a car charger and all phones in the last 15 years have had a usb type charging socket. I've always used cheap knock off car chargers and never had an issue.

formerbabe · 12/08/2020 22:15

I live in London so reckon I could get home from anywhere in the UK without sat nav or a map. There's always signs to London and I know my way home from any part of london

WaltzingBetty · 12/08/2020 22:18

I find it bizarre that you don't know which motorway exit you live at or which large towns off the motorway are nearest to where you live. Why would you come off so early at signs to places you're clearly unfamiliar with? Confused

It seems more like not knowing basic geography/common sense and yes if you don't have this then keeping a map in the car is necessary

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