go around Robin Hood's barn

To take a long, indirect route. A: "What took you guys so long to get here?" B: "Well, rather than just going through town, our esteemed driver went around Robin Hood's barn instead!" We went all around Robin Hood's barn following your mother directions. It seems she can't read a map! A: "Come on, we don't have time to go all around Robin Hood's barn!" B: "Well, we could take the highway, but we'd just be sitting in traffic."