A diamond-shaped sign, a small lay-by every few hundred metres. They are not for parking. They are for letting other people through.

If a passing place is on your left, pull into it. If it's on the right, stop opposite it and let the oncoming car use it. Watch the tarmac, not your mirror — locals will be much closer behind you than you think.

If something is sitting behind you — a Royal Mail van, a quad bike, a farmer with a trailer — pull into the next passing place and stop. They have somewhere to be. You have a view to look at. They will lift one finger from the wheel as they pass. That's the wave. Lift one back.

Single-track roads roll. The crest you can't see over almost always has a sheep, a cyclist, or another car on the far side of it. Take them slowly. The road is older than the suspension on most cars and it does not care about either.

• Sheep on the road. They will not move. Slow to walking pace, give them space, ease around. Don't horn — they panic backwards.
• Deer at dusk. Especially Sept–Nov. If one crosses, expect another. Cut your speed by half between sunset and full dark.
• Cattle grids. Cross slowly. Shut any gate you opened.

Two fingers off the top of the wheel when someone lets you through. A nod when someone holds back at a passing place. It costs nothing and it's the difference between a tourist and a guest.