We’ve found our true calling. It’s to live in a van. Something that we already had an inkling would be up our ally. But absolutely confirmed by the week and a half Luke and I just had travelling through England and Scotland In a van. Did I mention that we managed to fall in love even though it was the middle of winter?
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| When travelling around in a Van means you can experience moments like these, why wouldn't you?! |
We stumbled across a website called ‘Quirky Campers’ which is basically an air bnb for family owned vans. Each has it’s own personal name, pictures and often a video of it. In the end we fell involve with Wanda. The only slight hiccup was that she (Wanda) was in Redditch and we were in Rochester. For others with less than desirable geography like us, all you need to know is that they are two trains and a bus apart (about five hours in total). These got us to the carpark of the Redditch train station where Laura, Wandas owner, came and picked us up from.
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| Our friend Wanda, This night she froze not only on the outside but on the inside too. Nothing like having to defrost the windows so you can open the curtains |
After stalking Wanda so many times online (I hope someone didn't read that out of context) it was true love when we met her in person. Everything we could have hoped for and more. We genuinely had no plans of where we wanted to end up with Wanda apart from the part where we wanted to be in Edinburgh for new years to enjoy the Hogmanay festival. Laura was quite shocked at our lack of plans so sent through a few ideas for Scotland (which were greatly appreciated). After deciding on where we would drive to that afternoon (kind of) we were on our way.
Luke did not fall in love with the roundabouts on the highways in the UK. Once we got past the initial shock (and having to go round the round about a few times) we were on the road and ready for our first night. This ended up being in the Lake District, England. If you decide to van throughout the UK I would highly recommend downloading a few apps (Park4night) that have pinned on maps different locations throughout the UK where you can free camp. I’m not going to lie I was a bit nervous the first night (especially because we pulled up to our location in the pitch dark) that we would get woken up in the middle of the night and get asked to move along. But if you’ve got half a brain and these apps, you'll be fine.
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| It wasn't even cold... Don't worry we warmed up in Wanda shortly after as she is so delux she even has heating |
The Lake district is absolutely beautiful. There are thousands of walking trails, lakes (funnily enough) and quaint little villages scattered throughout. Unfortunately because we went just before new years the roads were fairly busy. So if I were you I’d try and go in the off season (if there even is one).
First off we went to Windermere Lake, actually first off was trying to find a public toilet to use. After that, we went to Bowness-On-Windermere (village next to Windermere Lake) where we had coffee and Luke tried his first ever flap jack. Once we devoured the flapjacks we drove to Tarn Hows where you can do an easy walk around the lake. There were heaps of families out and about taking their dogs for a walk. Some (dogs that is) were even swimming in the zero degrees lake. Driving around the country side is exactly how you would picture it: cute english farms with cobblestone fences, sheep, pheasants and green grass.
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Walk from Aira Force to Ullswater
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One of the majorly popular lakes is Ullswater. this was our favourite lake. It has beautiful waterfalls just next door called Aira Force and the best part was there was absolutely stunning parking spots along the water to stop and have a cup of tea. This night we free camped and slept next to a castle. Unfortunately we got there on dark and left before sun up so didn't get to grab a photo this time.
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| Ullswater, enjoying one of the many cups of tea drunk on this trip |
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| Walking over the top of Aira Force, waterfall. As you can clearly see.. |
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| The sun has short shifts up here. Sun setting at 3pm, when it only woke up at 8.30am. Slacker. |
After the lake district we decided to pop on over to Edinburgh, and say howdy to my brother and sister in law to experience hogmanay. This is an event put on over Christmas and New Years every year. Once we parked Wanda up in the caravan motor home club in Edinburgh. and had our first shower in a few days (might I add the bathrooms were heated, which was a very welcome surprise) we caught the bus into town to enjoy the torchlight procession. Nothing like tens of thousands of people coming together with candles and naked flames walking the streets. It was an event that I would highly recommend everyone to do once in their lifetime. It was amazing. So much fun, and probably even more fun for me because of the company.
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| Can't believe that we were let loose with a naked flame |
The following day we took a free walking tour around Edinburgh. Which was fantastic. Basically because we got to listen to a Scottish accent for a few hours, but for real it was so informative and interesting! The true highlight of the day was that Sam, Jess, Luke and I had a deep fried mars bar. Which apparently was invented in Edinburgh. Unfortunately, for our heart health, it was absolutely delicious. This was followed up by a scotch whiskey tasting. Jessica and I were very civilised throughout and have a real taste for whiskey. I mean by the last one I swear we didn't even shudder as we swallowed it.
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| Edinburgh Castle, thanks to Jess for capturing this moment after Sam miserably failed |
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| Part of the walking tour, deep fried mars bars can be found at the bottom of this street. You're welcome. |
We didn't stay for new years as it really isn't Luke and my thing*. So we took our best friend (Wanda) up to Loch Lomond, found a free camping spot next to the loch and snuggled up in the van. Playing scrabble, eating platters and drinking tea, did I mention falling asleep way before midnight? Apparently Luke got to see the firework show across the lake as nature called right on cue.
*third year in a row not staying up until midnight for new years. winning!
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New years day
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| Where we brought in the new year |
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| Morning coffees at Luss, this was 9.30am in the morning |
We are absolutely 100% in love with Scotland. On new years day we had an absolutely magical day. We woke up to a magnificent sunrise (at 9am might I add), had delicious coffee and cake, did the most incredible hike with insanely beautiful views and we got to see hairy cows. I think you’ll be able to tell by the pictures but this was one of those rare moments in life that you find yourself feeling nothing but sheer happiness and actually revelling in it.
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| Happy, content, fulfilled, and full with chocolate slice |
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| Happy cow, hairy cow, willing to trade husband for any cow that is as cute as this |
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Mr world wide
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The next few days we spent around Loch Lamond and falling in love with hiking. Something that we have enjoyed in the past, but after the fourth kilometre we were generally over it. Well 2019, new year, new us, we are hikers now. Going for a couple of hikes in sneakers not hiking gear definitely qualifies us for this title. We got 7/8th of the way up 'The Cobbler' but had to turn around on account of our inappropriate shoes. Turns out sneakers aren't ideal when the path is ice and on the side of an extremely steep incline. When we started the walk there was ice on the path but me being naive thought it would melt as the day progresses. Not the case when the top temperature of the day is 0 degrees.
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| Walk near Ben Nevis, didn't quite feel we were up to hiking up the largest mountain in the UK (that being Ben Nevis) |
We made our way even further north into the Scottish Highlands. Again absolutely magical. This consisted of more hiking, checking out scenery which was used in harry potter (winning!) and snuggling up in Wanda. We managed to go to the Scottish Highlands in the middle of winter and not see any snow. This is previously unheard of. Nothing like climate change, oh wait thats not real…
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| Couldn't stop taking photos. To pretty, my eyes hurt |
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Walking over a rope bridge to get to the waterfall. It doesn't look hardcore but I swear it really was
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Unfortunately all good things come to an end. Our last day consisted of driving down to the peak district, enjoying an english pub, stumbling across a castle in the backyard of our caravan park (or was it the other way round) and committing to wanting to be a true aussie millennial and deciding that at some point we will be moving to the UK to work and live.
This decision was definitely helped by meeting up with my friend Connie who I worked with at Active in Mackay. Such a special person living out exactly what she wants and working hard. We are lucky to have amazing friends, especially who can give us all the tips on how to move overseas and get a job. Thanks Connie!
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| Main reason for loving van life is the ability to pull up anywhere and have a coffee |
After a completely different experience of travel than we are used to it's time to throw ourselves into a country that we truely have no idea what to expect, India.
Love always,
Claire and Luke (Luke was off on a hike with his new German friend Andreas whilst I was writing this so he counts as a co-author too right?)
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| Luke was up the top of that hill, whilst I was nursing a sore back |
that cow! <3
ReplyDeleteI know! Seeing that cow was basically the highlight of our trip!
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