rural driving in aus: start in the town of Garrawuppa, population 87, consisting of a post office and a bakery selling vegemite scrolls, and home to a self professed "old mate" who remembers an old mate who remembers when this town had a train station taking you to the nearby (seventy kilometres away) gold mine. drive for one hour in a random direction. there are no visible signs of civilisation anywhere. stop the car to allow an echidna to cross the road. your phone has one bar of "E". a sign tells you to turn back unless you have five litres of water per person, and not to leave your vehicle under any circumstances, including a breakdown. the nearest servo is in Garrawuppa

rural driving in england: start in the town of Brentleysham-upon-Willingsby, population 5,210, consisting of all the amenities needed for modern life, and home to a family of knitters who have passed down a unique and world-renowned style of jumper down for generations. drive for one hour in a random direction. you have passed six more towns and are now in Old Foldopperstokesshireton, population 3,398. stop the car to allow the world-renowned Jam Parade Marching Band to cross the road. the nearest petrol station with miniature Greggs and Sainsbury's is right next to you