Mountains, Lakes, Deserts, Rivers, Cities and Smiles. A year(ish) on the road
Dave the motorhome is nervously waiting our his last continental day at a free aire 30 mins from Calais, at Wissant (N50.88694, E1.67071).
About 11 months ago we left the UK. On a ferry to Dunkirk our minds tried to guess ahead at what we might find. Of course, we failed miserably. The places we’ve seen, people we’ve met, fun we’ve had and lessons learned will stay with us for ever.
Naturally we have different highlights. For me, I’d list them as:
* Wandering the natural wonders of the Picos De Europa mountains with new friends
* Stumbling around wide eyed in the Fes medina
* Descending the Moroccan desert road into Erg Chebbi and crossing the mountain pass to Agdz
* Skinny dipping off our own rented boat off Hzar island in Croatia
* Drinking wine amidst hysterical Italian cycling fans in the Dolomites
* And last, but most importantly for me, overcoming the myriad of small anxieties and insecurities needed to do this stuff
Europe, it turns out, is a fascinating place. History, architecture, politics, engineering and culture still feature below beer and motorbikes for me, uncouth oaf that I am. With each new wonder and curiosity my interest in them has grown though, and continues to draw me to Wikipedia and travel books for answers. Why does this enclave exist? Is French or Italian food the best and who taught whom? Is communism really such a bad thing? How come Austria is so clean, so perfect? Why don’t this group of young men in Bosnia stop drinking beer and fix up their bullet-ridden town?
Sometimes we got tired of travelling; not everywhere you go can be jaw-dropping, many places start to look the same. Living on a tight budget flavours the important parts of life like a salt, but can also make for a mundane existence. Staying in car parks eating in is our mainstay against an empty bank account, but no-one imagines it beats eating an Italian chef’s passionately-produced pizza topped off with a decent red sat outside amidst loud and gesticulating families. I personally felt I ought to contribute more to society, and take on the social status-granting job title again. We considered calling it a day and moving on to a new challenge, but are not quite ready, not yet. This travelling lark should carry a health warning: Danger: Addictive.
Thus, our time in Blighty will be short, ten days or so. We know we’re extremely lucky and are thankful every day we can do this. Having seen African farmers subsisting on next to nothing, the recognition of how much of a luxury it is to have the resources to travel freely is always close to us. We’re thankful of it, and what the hell, are going to exploit it some more. A few more months call; we’ll head south into Italy quickly to avoid the need for winter tyres, and work out a route as we go.
For those who have read this blog (we now get over 4000 unique readers a month), and posted comments or sent emails, you’re stars. Thanks. They make a real difference to our thinking, lift our spirits when unduly low and guide us to places we would otherwise have missed.
Today we chilled out, played around recording our thoughts about a life spent travelling (see below), splashed about on the beach, eyed up WW2 Atlantic Wall defences (cock-eyed in the sand and pock-marked with bullet scratches) and stood watching the shuttling ferries thoughtfully. Our families and friends are just over there, we can’t wait to see them.
4. What kind of places we stayed?
7. How do we feel about going back to the UK?
8. Visiting cities via motorhome
Cheers, Jay
Hi Guys
Loved the blog. Welcome back to England. You have done really well. It seems like it was hassle free and a lot of fun.
Don’t forget you can park at the ferry port for free in calais and the ticket office is open all night and the midnight ferries are the cheapest.(thats how it was last year.)
Once again great stuff.
Dave and Kim.
Really enjoyed your Blog. You may even have inspired us to follow in Dave’s tyre prints.
Happy wandering.
Hi Jay, Ju and Charlie, welcome back to GB.
Please give Dave our very best wishes for his forthcoming test, he`s done you guys proud, carrying you all of those miles!! without ever complaining no doubt?
I remember having a little chuckle to myself when you posted about the brake linings smouldering on some mountain pass descent, I expect at the time it must have given a little cause for concern to you?
You must remember Dave`s getting on a bit now, and needs some tlc !!
By for now folks, enjoy your holiday in UK.
Mike.
Have been following your blog for a long time now, shame it’s coming to an end and a shame we missed each other in Austria.
Looking forward to the updates to your new plans.
I think a lot of people have really enjoyed your slant on life in Europe, travelling on a budget and sense of humour. It has been an inspiration to us all.
Enjoy the UK and we look forward to episode 2.
Bryce & Lorraine
you have no idea how proud i am of you guys xoxoxo
We are fellow motorhome travellers .. Not often do I actually read word for word a blog of full of such fun and information … following your foot steps through life choices ..
. Well done ✅ and thank you for such a fab site
Thanks Alison! Cheers, happy travels, Jay