A Whole Year

 

Those that know me will know I’m pretty hopeless at remembering dates like birthdays and anniversaries. I’m also (most of the time) unsure as to how old people are when celebrating their birthdays, including myself! I did however remember  a year today was when I left my house and started on my road trip in the UK.

It doesn’t feel like a year at all, until I started looking back over the photos of the Autumn colours, the van covered in snow, Poppy swimming in the lakes to cool down on those long summer days and the colours of the spring flowers. I have had more time to notice the beauty of the seasons and visit places at times of the year when they are quieter - the Lake District in September and Cornwall and Devon in winter, when we had the beaches to ourselves. 

I never know what day it is and rarely need to think about what time it is either. I eat when I’m hungry, sleep when I’m tired and wake up either because of the warmth of the sun, or the sound of the birds. Everything also takes longer simply because it can. Breakfast can sometimes take two hours, reading can sometimes take most of my day. 

People often ask about showers, laundry, what do I cook and do I get scared or lonely. The answer is you become more resourceful and you really appreciate the kindness of others. I’ve always been content in my own company and have never felt lonely. Only once have I managed to choose a slightly dodgy park up spot for the night, but always make sure I can swiftly move the van if needed. 

The year has been full of surprises, full of nature’s beauty and strangers who have become friends. Living in a tiny van might not be for everyone, but if it’s something you’ve always wanted to do, give it a try! I for one am carrying on as I am loving a more simpler way of life with far fewer material things. 

May the roaming continue…!

*Photos are from my final walks in Wales - Castell y Blaidd, the Dragon’s Back, the Lonely Shepherd and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

Learning to dance in the rain

It’s a soggy day in Shropshire today on what would have been dad’s 66th birthday, so I’m treating myself to a chocolate brownie (I couldn’t find his favourite cake, coffee and walnut) after my walk. I’m thinking about how he taught me to dance in the rain, to keep going even when things don’t quite go to plan. He taught me that if you really want something, you work for it. When I wanted to go to university, I worked for a year to be able to afford to go. It made me appreciate it so much more. He showed me the beauty of solitude and how to be content with what we have.  It’s why I love van life so much I think. He introduced me to the diverse world of music from Sinatra to the greatest bands through the decades, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Status Quo, Oasis, Foo Fighters and dance and R n’ B. Never was there a time when music would not be playing.

There are so many times and situations where I miss his wisdom and knowledge - a recent pub quiz, my van failing the MOT, getting hopelessly lost walking a trail. I can see him shaking his head now at me and it makes me smile. 

A few months ago on a walk with a friend, they went off and said ‘I’m just going to ring my dad.’ Those words and that simple action of phoning someone and hearing their voice sounds so small and insignificant, but when this becomes impossible with death, it seems so incredibly precious.

I do hear my dad’s voice and his laugh all the time and I’m lucky that on my journey through coping with grief I have more smiles now than tears at my memories of him. Today I am reminded again of A.A. Milne’s quote, ‘how lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.’

So, happy birthday dad and thanks for being the best! 

Friendly Faces

I find myself meandering south, keeping towards the west of the UK. A few very special days spent in the Lake District, including a weekend with new friends in their caravan. It was fantastic to spend time with people who love walking, being outdoors and enjoy good food. 

From there it was onto Manchester to stay with another lovely friend, this time one who has been part of my life since university days and then onto the Peak District, where another friend who loves walking joined me.  We had an impromptu quiz and curry night at the local pub - quizzing went terribly, food was delicious! 

Onto north Wales at the weekend, where I hope it might start to feel more like summer again. Thanks for reading and have a lovely weekend whatever you’re up to folks!

Farewell to Bonnie Scotland

After (eventually) leaving the garage in Inverness, my journey south took me via the Cairngorms where someone told me to visit the ‘green loch.’ The water really does look green and although the photo doesn’t show it, it was pouring with rain when I got there in the early evening. I continued up as far as Ryvoan Bothy, where unsurprisingly there were some weary and wet walkers seeking their shelter for the night. They were from France and had planned to walk the West Highland Way, but the weather and threat of the menacing midges had changed their plans. I don’t blame them!

I also discovered Pattack Falls, the Birks of Aberfeldy, Falkland Palace, East Lomond hill, Culross (where Outlander scenes were filmed) and Loch Leven with its RSPB reserve.

My overnight spots have sometimes been idyllic - under the canopy of trees in the forest with the sound of owls calling and the rain gently falling and, at other times, not so much - a posh hotel car park on the edge of Stirling, where although I slept well undisturbed, I did not expect a tour bus of Dutch folk to wheel their cases past my van first thing in the morning whilst I was munching my breakfast! 

My final day in Scotland today visiting Bannockburn for a dose of history and a final walk near Moffat, where the sun has decided to re-appear for the evening. Thank you Scotland, I shall be back!

Going with the Flow

My final ferry crossing was just as lovely as my first. From Stornoway to Ullapool with mirror-like waters and mountains to marvel at. 

The sun stayed with me for the evening so I drove north to hike Stac Pollaidh. Gorgeous views from the top as well as meeting two wonderful couples - one from Hong Kong, who were visiting before heading off to a wedding in Venice and the other with a beautiful dog called Fergie, who was definitely enjoying his holidays!

I stayed in the car parking area for the night, but was kept awake until the early hours by a handsome, young stag, who had decided the grass around my van was the tastiest! Incredible to see him so close, so I didn’t mind the late night.

A few folk had told me about ‘The Black Isle,’ as it is the best place to observe bottle-nosed dolphins. So it was here that I headed for a few days and yes, I saw the dolphins and they came so close to the shore! I also spent time walking on the beaches and through the woodland in Fairy Glen on a very wet day as the rain caught up with me.

Travel can often be about the unexpected and after my van failed her MOT, I am now stuck near Inverness for a few days until she can be fixed. Unplanned visits to Culloden Battlefield, Brodie Castle and the small village of Findhorn filled the time, as well as finishing reading a couple of books and having a good sing to Glastonbury highlights courtesy of BBC iPlayer! 

When on the road, I have found it best to go with the flow and have no fixed plans. At first I was annoyed at myself for not sorting the MOT sooner (it failed on the day it ran out, which then meant I had no tax on the van either!) I definitely know my dad would NOT be surprised at my lack of planning. 

The wildflower meadows and sweet peas in the garden at Brodie Castle, a wedding complete with bagpipes and kilts and a lift into town with a kind stranger were enough to restore my calm and make me smile again though. Small things matter.  I also had the pleasure of listening to the band at the wedding playing from my hidden woodland park-up spot, which was a bonus. Being woken by a lot of horse boxes the following morning, as there was clearly some event going on was not quite so much fun!

I hope the next time I update you I shall be safely (and legally) on the road again, heading south for the first time since the beginning of May.