Far-side angst

That's the best term I could come up with for it.

Driving home on the M50 today all I could see on the other side of the carriageway was one slow snaking line of cars and trucks going nowhere. And the further I drove the longer the line stretched.

Until then I came to the back of the line. Just beyond there I passed some cars flying along merrily, heading for this terrible queue.

That's when I experienced it. Far-side angst. I wanted to roll down the window and shout "wait, there's a big line of cars ahead. It's terrible. Let me warn you.." or something like that.

I somehow felt the need, as I often do, to send my best wishes for a speedy clearance of traffic to those poor unfortunate northbound drivers.

Alas I quickly lost my train of thought and my mind filled with ideas of food and drink. And those poor fools rushed to the back of the line, wearing out tyres and brake pads in the process while I sailed effortlessly south.