I DROVE to Southampton with my young son to visit the Solent Sky museum. I called up their website and downloaded a very basic map. It seemed reasonable to follow the A33 into the city and follow signs (as stated) for Ocean Village.

I groped my way through the numerous poorly or unsigned junctions that litter the A33 in the city until I reached a T-junction showing A3024 to the left, and I knew that the museum was in the region of the A3025 which had to be to the right, so I kept to the A33. Signs for Eling Tide Mill, Totton and Beaulieu forced the conclusion that I was many miles past the museum area.

I reversed course and at the Isle of Wight ferry terminal I asked a taxi driver. He pointed me in the direction of the one-way system. I saw a couple of poorly-angled signs for Ocean Village and one indeterminate sign for Solent Sky. I mistinterpreted it and had to go around the one-way system again.

At last! Ocean Village. Some village. And not Solent Sky. That was across the main road. Arrived at last! I was miffed to find that I had to stick much money into a parking meter.

Enjoyed the museum. A credit to the organisers. Then, which is the way out? One-way only into a derelict area of back streets that had not recovered from the ministrations of the Luftwaffe. Glimpsed a main road to seaward. Went for it. As I turned onto it saw very much in passing the sign toll bridge. No mention of where to, nor how much.

Fast forward: decided to have another look at the Explosions! museum in Gosport. Off the M27, clear signage to museums in Portsmouth and Gosport. Explosions! was wonderfully marked at every junction. Since our last visit, it opens only at weekends. This was a Tuesday. Hum.

This shows how dismal the signage is in the Southampton area, and that includes general roads, while seemingly nothing for the tourist sites.

I can map read and spent many an hour of my youth driving and navigating day and night motor rallies here and in France.

I may venture into Southamp-ton again, but until I exhaust their delights it is Portsmouth and Gosport that get my trade, as the winds be fairer there.

JEREMY HAWORTH, Padworth Common, Berkshire.