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10 Tips for Navigating our Schengen Sentence

by Karen Davies | May 29, 2022 | Featured Post, Travel Blog, UK

At Motoroaming HQ we are finally coming to the end of our first official Schengen Sentence. After 84 days in Europe through the winter 2021/22, we returned to the UK to tread water until we were able to step back into the Zone. The period from 21st February until the end of May has taught us so much about how navigate this ‘sentence’ (said of course tongue in cheek). Such have been our revelations during this time that we wanted to share our lessons about how to make the most of this period, based on our experiences.

Irrespective of your views of Brexit, we have it, fair and square; now we must navigate it positively in a way that meets all our travel needs and personal requirements. There’s no doubting for those of us who have been used to roaming freely across Europe, navigating the Schengen has had an impact on all our travels.

As with all aspects of life, how we deal with our challenges is driven by the mindset we adopt when managing these changes. We can moan all we like, although these new rules are here to stay and so if we ‘bend with the wind’ we can learn a new way of travelling that creates a ‘new normal’.

We have talked to so many people over the last six months and there’s no doubting that the prospect of coming back to the UK for long periods is faced with a dose of dread. As a result we have found many like-minded souls trying to string out their stay in Europe for as long as possible. Often we saw people choosing to bomb it back to the nearest ferry to maximise their time, some having issues with breakdowns that took them to the edge of their allowance, placing all manner of stress on their lives.

It’s worth adding at this point that we all adopt our own strategies for making the most of our travel time, especially if we are full-time; so there is no judgement being made here. We are, after all, all doing our best with what we have available to us. There is no right or wrong way – just our own way.

As I reflect back to our return in February, I remember we stepped upon our English shores with heavy hearts. We knew that, for at least the next 90 days, we would need to manage our time in the UK otherwise it could feel as long as a winter’s night. We knew instantly that exploring ways to make this period productive and deal with our itchy feet would be a really constructive conversation to have. So having now experienced our first Schengen Sentence, we wanted to share our thoughts, reflections and tips, given we are all in the same boat.

10 Tips for Navigating our Schengen Sentence

1. Hold back some of your 90 days

When we started talking about our approach to the Schengen Shuffle, we decided our strategy would be not to use all our 90 days. We wanted to have a buffer to make allowance for any unexpected events. So we choose to save some days in case we break down (which we have a tendency to do) or we needed to get back in hurry. And bizarrely this strategy has really helped us navigate our Schengen Sentence, albeit by default.

This year we ended up having 6 days spare from our winter trip. This enabled us to use these days for a surprise visit to Paris for my mum’s 80th Birthday. Whilst we considered ourselves lucky to have had these extra days, in fact it will now form the basis of our travel strategy catering for our UK lay-over. That break away to foreign shores was great to give us a bit of a European fix, which has proved to be a priceless lesson. Whether it is a City-break for a long weekend or a quick week in the sun somewhere, having enough days to facilitate that break away that could be a god-send during our time back in the UK.

2. Book things up ahead of your return to the UK

Psychologists and Life Coaches agree that to have something to look forward to every 13 weeks is important for our well-being. I think for us wanderlusters, we need something more frequently than that.

Whilst we were in Portugal, three weeks before our winter trip ended, we began making plans for our 90 days sentence in our homeland. Those plans included a surprise Birthday trip to see my bestie on the Isle of Man, family gatherings to reconnect with loved ones and even practical appointments like Motorhome service, MOT and Dentists. We also took the opportunity to do different things to mark events such as Mother’s Day and Birthdays. This certainly made our time back in the UK more wholesome rather than simply ‘sitting out our time’ before our pass to freedom was released. It gave us a purpose, made life more pleasurable and allowed us to do things that added value to our lives. After all life is just too damned short.

3. Build in a European non-Schengen or long-haul visit

We’ve talked a lot about the Schengen Shuffle and how to maximise our travel time outside of the UK. And there’s absolutely no reason why this couldn’t work in our favour during our Schengen Sentence too. So why not consider a week to Croatia whilst they finalise their Schengen membership? At the time of writing, they are a non-Schengen option and will be until 2024. So that is a very viable option that has no impact on our allowance. What about Cyprus? They too are outside of Schengen for the moment; same with Morocco, Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria. We’re not suggesting taking the van; we are saying – why not fly for a bit of a holiday? If funds allow why not go further afield for an adventure? This will certainly be on our agenda for future years as we look to take advantage of what Brexit offers.

Copy of Life on the road schengen sentence

4. Put your van in storage and have a staycation

If like us you are full-time then some of the options above might seem a bit more tricky to navigate. After all what do we do with our van? Often our insurance small print says that we are not allowed more than 48 hours away from the van, so that can add a very real complication. Our Comfort Policy though does say that we can store the van in a CaSSOA Gold standard Site, so that is what we did. We found Cadeside Storage and Campsite in Wellington, Somerset, that allows members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club to store their van safely and compliantly. So we took advantage of this and on two separate occasions stored Scoobie for just £50 per week. There is also a monthly charge if you wanted to go away for longer.

This has been revolutionary for us and will absolutely feature in future Schengen Sentence periods. It has also confirmed our need to ensure we keep up with our C&MC membership fee. This storage facility allowed us to book up an AirBnB in the Roseland Peninsula, a part of Cornwall that we don’t know and would never dream of taking Scoobie to – and it was an amazing retreat.

5. Tour the UK and Ireland

I think Brexit offers us a huge opportunity to explore our own country. And whilst we may prefer the balmy weather and cheaper lifestyle across the Channel, our homeland has some terrific sights to see. Whilst we didn’t do much exploring during this particular period, 2021 saw us explore areas that were brand new to us. Essex, what a joy that county is. Scotland – goes without saying, especially Dumfries and Galloway. And then there’s Wales with its hidden gems. Of course the weather is not guaranteed yet having seen some of the Spanish forecasts this spring, sunshine is never a banker.

As part of our 2022 advantures, we are heading over to Ireland, both north and south. Neither of these countries contribute to our Schengen allowance so we are totally free to roam here either as part of a longer road-trip or as a way to break up your Schengen Sentence. You can sail with Stena Lines from Liverpool, Holyhead or Fishguard. Or why not take the opportunity to visit the Isle of Man, sailing from Liverpool or Heysham. Whilst the ferries are not cheap, if you go for long enough, then the cost is no more than hard hitting than our diesel costs.

6. Buy a little run around car (if you don’t already have one)

Whilst I would much rather ride alongside my travel buddy in the van, having our little runaround car that we bought during Covid, has been a priceless resource for us; even though we have to travel in convoy. Finding little campsites tucked away in the countryside has allowed us to still roam and reach appointments having the car by our side. Granted this comes with additional complications when you come to return to the Schengen Zone again. Although we have found a campsite who will store the car for us for £30 per month and of course we can SORN it and don’t have to pay out for insurance whilst we are away. So we will just built it into our monthly budgeting.

7. Get your DIY jobs done

As we reflect back on our 6 years of travel, we have found that whilst on the road, we rarely have much time to do practical ‘stuff’. You know things like clean the roof, bash the carpets and fix things that have rattled and rolled on the roads through Europe. The one thing about living or travelling in a van is that there is always something to mend – or so it seems to us. It is true that our travel lifestyle means that sometimes we need to stop to do our jobs, and so having time in the UK to be still and address our little niggles has been so productive. Having access to DIY shops and places that fulfil your creativity is great and gives your van a whole new personality, ready for your next trip.

When we see that this period can serve a positive purpose, then it helps us navigate the time with a healthier mindset.

8. Start to plan your next Schengen trip

Talking about your next trip, use this homeland time to look forward; to dream, plan and organise. It keeps your wanderlust satiated and gives you something to work towards. This has certainly been true for us. Planning our next 10 months out has been a really good focus, especially given that it needs a bit more thinking through these days. I have really enjoyed finding places to visit when we head over to Ireland. Going through Pinterest and joining new Facebook groups to collect ideas keeps the excitement going. Whilst I am an advocate of being grounded in the here and now, having half an eye on the immediate future is also healthy, especially when you are trying to navigate being in a place where you might find yourself stuck.

9. Find new places to visit and some ‘go to’ stopovers

Whilst we have focused our time and location on the M5 corridor, we have also tried to mix up our ‘homes’. We’ve balanced going to CL’s that we love for their location, walks and accessibility to the motorway. Also we have relished finding new spots that are so easy to bypass keeping our sense of exploration alive.

We loved our Orchard Farm Campsite and Glamping Pods near Glastonbury for a Mother’s Day surprise; being on the Somerset Levels exploring the Nature Reserves; finding a lovely wild spot at Dunkeswell Aerodrome and enjoying Broadhembry in Devon. We have a go-to site in Hereford in the middle of the countryside at Holme Lacey and love our Golf Centre retreat at Cleveland. We have indulged ourselves in days out finding new hidey holes at Frampton on Severn and Otterton Mill down in Budleigh Salterton.

When we reflect back it’s been quite a rich set of experiences that are all too easy to miss waiting impatiently for our new 90 day allowance to begin.

Avoid places that just make you feel uncomfortable for whatever reason. It’s important to feel at home whilst we navigate this period. We’ve chosen mostly CL’s with hardstanding to avoid sinking and which enable us to manage our UK budget, which is invariably more expensive than on the continent, where we wild camp a lot more. Also it is worth keeping a mindful eye on Bank and School Holidays as advanced booking may be required. We got caught out during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

10. Do things that make you feel good

Life is always about balance and when you find yourself in a place that feels less than appealing, it is important to nurture your physical and mental well-being. So dig deep and focus on what motivates you, makes you feel fit and healthy and that pleases you. Whether that might be finding a yoga class, doing some daily walking, eating nice meals or engaging in a hobby that you love. Or perhaps do things that you wouldn’t normally have time for when you’re out travelling. Treat yourself to meetings with friends, or making connections with people you’ve met on the road. Anything that gives you a focus, makes you feel good and inspires you. All these important little wins will help you manage any sadness you feel not being able to travel in the way you really want to.

Whist we would undoubtedly prefer to be in Europe full-time (minus the MOT of course), that is not possible right now. So this time back in the UK has been revolutionary for us and has given us a new perspective of how we can travel differently. Small adjustments to the way we manage our non-Schengen time will help make a happy life rather than one peppered with irritation and longing. Life is short and finding ways to adopt a healthy approach to our challenges is key to our happiness.

So we hope that sharing our experiences from the last three months might give you something to think about with your travels. We would also love to hear from you if you have other ideas to add to this list. How have you managed your Schengen Sentence that we can share with others? Please feel free to add comments below or comment on our Facebook Page.

Here’s to a healthy, happy and heavenly travel experiences, home and abroad.

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6 Reasons to send you to Coventry

by Karen Davies | May 22, 2022 | Featured Post, Travel Blog, UK

Coventry is not the first place in England that I would naturally think of as a place to visit. Yet we have come to appreciate after 6 years of full-time travel that every place has a uniqueness to offer anyone who has a dose of curiosity. So in this short City Guide we share with you the highlights that we found during a recent half-day visit. You never know, Coventry might well end up being on your ‘Travel To Do List’. Let’s see if we can persuade you.

Coventry is perhaps famous for two things;

The idiom of ‘Sending you to Coventry’ suggesting that we are deliberately ostracising you, which really doesn’t sell the notion of visiting any time soon.

The infamous bombing of the city on 14 November 1940 that whilst it may have destroyed its Cathedral did not dent its spirit.

Officially mapped in the West Midlands, Coventry is nestled in the heart of industrial Britain and as such leaves the city with a reputation that seems not worthy of a tourist visit. These days that industry has morphed from clock and watches to bicycles, motor and aircraft manufacturing. Yet as England’s 20th largest city, when you open its Pandora Box you might be surprised with what it has to offer.

1. City of Culture 2021/22

In 2017, Coventry was awarded City of Culture for 2021 due to its diversity, youthful vibe thanks to its 3 universities and central location. Postponed from 2021 because of Covid, Coventry has been celebrating its City of Culture status that has firmly put it on the UK map. Even Radio 1 are doing a Roadshow up there. The kudos of having this accolade does Coventry’s reputation the world of good and encourages us to see it through new eyes.

2. The Reel Store

Triggered as part of the cultural celebrations, the old Telegraph Newspaper offices have been converted into a state of the art immersive, digital gallery allowing visitors to be entertained by an AI experience. The Reel Store is expected to be a permanent exhibition and on 13 May opened its doors with this unique art presentation – and we were one of the first to experience this incredible event. The current exhibition is a collaboration between Rafik Anadol and NASA, using a collection of 2 million pictures from space and calibrated into this unique immersive experience. For £10 per person you will be thrown into a 20 minute display of movement, colour and sound that will transport you to a totally different world. Check out our video below.

3. Medieval Coventry

Coventry has a long history going back centuries and had, once upon a time the best preserved Medieval quarter of any city in England. Although Spon Lane’s offerings, where you will see magnificent examples of buildings dating back to the Middle Ages, didn’t in fact originate here. They have been relocated from around the city and brought together in one place. As you walk down the lane you see the fusion of Tudor designs and timbers at home alongside modern premises and businesses. Yet the paradox is that they are kept alive by this symbiotic arrangement. It is well worth searching out this area of the city, which is within walking distance of the train station.

Check out our gallery below.

4. War-time Coventry

Of course Coventry is perhaps best known for its World War 2 history, where on the fateful night of 14/15 November 1940, the Nazi’s blitzed the city, thought to be a target because of their ammunition factories. Coventry had no warning of the impending doom for their city and so they were at the mercy of the German’s bombs. Razed to the ground, Coventry was seen as one of Germany’s most successful battles; killing more than 600 people, bombing over a third of the factories and ammunition centres and reducing Coventry’s industrial reputation quite literally to rubble. To see Coventry’s strength in redefining itself is a testament to its spirit. Today the modern feel is shaded by unnaturally open city spaces that have clearly been shaped by that fateful night. It feels like an emotional journey to come here amidst the modern office buildings and tower blocks although their facades hide a pain from the past and a spirit of forgiveness.

5. Coventry Cathedral, Old and New

One very noticeable victim of the bombing was the city’s grand Cathedral. Defiled by bombing, the building was almost completely destroyed much to the horror of the locals. And yet the very next morning, it was not anger that fuelled survivors to rush to the razed church body, it was forgiveness. It stands today as it did on 14th November 1940 with its heart ripped out and yet when you walk through the church gates into its seemingly empty belly, its soul is very much in tact. A skeleton that stands for forgiveness and fortitude. The tower, which avoided destruction can be climbed for an aerial view of the city, which they hope to reopen in summer 2022.

Then in direct contrast, the new Cathedral which adjoins the old has a totally different feel to it. Tall, hollow it felt to me and very soulless, although with a stained glass window that is its crowning glory and well worth seeing.

6. Coventry’s Parks and Canal

Whilst on this visit we didn’t get a chance to visit, Coventry has a surprising number of parkland areas for walking, cycling or play if you have kids to entertain. In fact there are around 16 parks in total. If my intuition was to serve me well, I suspect that some of the parks are as a consequence of the bombing and using the demolished sites in a more positive way. I could find nothing to confirm my instincts, although it feels right. The Coventry Canal, the basin of which you will find to the north of the city is a 38 mile stretch of canal that eventually feeds into the Trent and Mersey at Lichfield. It is navigable by boat, Paddle Board or cycle – on the tow path of course (she says having steered her electric bike into the Llangollen Canal in Wales).

How to get there

Coventry is dead centre in England and in the heart of the motorway network so whichever direction you come from, getting here is pretty easy. South east of Birmingham and directly north of Leamington-Spa, you can easily hop onto the M6, M1 or M40 to reach this understated city. Alternatively you have a great rail network that links Coventry north and south, so reaching this unusual hub is relatively easy. There are plenty of car parks in the city as you’ll see in the map below. For a day’s parking we paid £6.

Where to stay

If you are travelling with your camper or motorhome, then there are no campsites in Coventry. Although you don’t need to go far to find a range of sites from which you can hop onto a train. We’ve included a map from Search for Sites of just some of the options. Leamington Spa in Warwickshire in particular would make a really nice base enabling you to explore more than just Coventry, which is just an added bonus.

For hotels, check out the map below just to show you how many hotel options there are open to you and choose a booking platform to assess prices across the city.

Where to eat

As with every city in the world, there are all sorts of eateries to choose from, from your branded restaurants to local bistros with food represented from every corner of the world. As a diverse city with multi-ethnicities and not forgetting that it is catering for its University population, Coventry has every food style you can imagine. We ate at Wagamamas as Myles had never been there, so we thought we’d try it. If you would like something that is slightly out of the city and combine it with a place to stay overnight to boot, then why not try The Old Mill in Baginton which is directly south of the city just a 10 minute drive. It is a quintessential English pub and definitely worth checking out and has an enormous car park if you happen to take the motorhome in with you.

Screenshot_20220521-154114_searchforsites-01

So what do you think? Coventry – is it worth a visit? Certainly before our day’s visit I can honestly say that I would never have considered it on my must visit list. Although having been, I think it definitely needs promoting for a day’s visit. Much like an onion, when you strip away the ugly outer layers that perhaps shapes its national reputation, a sweet centre is revealed. We hope that you might give Coventry a chance and let us know what you think.

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Norfolk, Norwich & the Norfolk Broads

by Karen Davies | Apr 25, 2019 | Travel Blog, UK

Norfolk – East Anglia

Norfolk, nestled in the East Anglian region of England does not jump to mind when thinking about the UK’s top tourist destinations. Although with only 100 miles separating it from London, Norfolk offers the visitor a rich and surprising blend of history and incredible natural beauty. Check out what we learnt about the area after our visit during Easter 2019.

Norfolk countryside – a few surprises

During a trip to UK’s easterly edge to celebrate a friend’s Birthday, we were about to experience something pretty unusual for us; excitement and anticipation for an English excursion. Don’t get me wrong we will always be British and in good weather England is a very special place to visit. Although since we hit the road three years ago, our draw to European shores has distanced us from Britain’s best bits. And so it was lovely to have this reconnection with our homeland.

Apart from a work trip to Norwich, neither of us have dipped our toes into this region of the UK. Norfolk was a stranger to us and we were looking forward to getting to know it better, all be it only for four days. We have learnt though, that sometimes a brief visit is all you need to whet your appetite and spark a desire to return.

Whilst our visit to the county of Norfolk really piqued our curiosity, our passage towards Norwich didn’t inspire us. We had been warned that Norfolk was flat and boring – would our experience be different? We hoped so. We arrived at a campsite in Salhouse, just outside Wroxham on the Norfolk Broads and checked out the map. There certainly seemed to be plenty to do in the area. So with bikes at the ready, we headed into the countryside.

Our first surprise was how quaint the Norfolk villages are. With images being conjured up of Thomas Hardy’s Dorset, thatched houses were aplenty creating something that was quite literally ‘far from the madding crowd’. Traditional village pubs, quintessential churches and the odd Brewery thrown in for good measure, all combined to make this a world far removed from the smoke-filled skies of London.

With quiet and flat roads for exploring by bike and walks through the many Broads that speckle this area, it is a joy to wander through what feels like a timeless part of the world. Woodbastwick is a delightful traditional English village, Salhouse with its thatched church and Horning set in the heart of the Bure Marshes Nature Reserve carry you away from the commerciality that so often pollutes our lives.

Check out our gallery by clicking the image below.

Cycling the Norfolk Broad's villages,Norfolk, UK

The Broads National Park – for messing about on the river

Norfolk’s most famous landmark is its Broads – 125 miles of navigable waterways that although are man-made have a really unique feel to them. The Norfolk Broads are incredibly special as, unlike their canal cousins in the beating heart of UK’s industrial heritage, they have no locks. Just twisting water courses that wind their way through old peat bogs that have been reclaimed by man’s farming and rising sea levels. Although it is worth pointing out that they were not a recent creation. This reclamation took place in medieval times, so these are seriously ancient waterways.

The now classified Broads National Park is the only park in the UK that has a city in its midst, making it quite unique. It has an area of 117 square miles covering both Suffolk and Norfolk, and within its boundaries it has 7 rivers and 63 Broads, of which 13 are navigable. Tourism has flourished in the area as yacht racing and boating holidays have almost swamped the Park. Speed restrictions are now in place on craft using these incredible waterways and police regularly patrol the Broads – now there’s a job to have.

To create a visual image of the Norfolk Broads, let me paint you a picture. Imagine golden reed beds fringing the rivers and lakes, gently crafted by the winds that blow in from The Wash. Chocolate-box cottages border the riverside with not a garage in sight. Just boat sheds that perch on stilts housing every shape and size of vessel you can imagine. Watery cul-de-sacs have been shaped to create what many call mini Venice. Although for me it’s more like The Netherlands both with their rivers, windmills and landscape being so iconic.

And then there’s the boat-watching. The pleasure cruisers, sailing boats and paddle-steamers all call this place home, chugging up and down the rivers looking for a slice of tranquility. And yet, even in April the river was buzzing as busily as a bee-hive coming out of hibernation making people’s antics quite a source of entertainment as they tried to hone their navigation skills.

And how could I forget the wildlife that the Broads have in abundance? Herons stand erect like something out of Jurassic Park, waiting to catch their prey. Canada and Grey-lag geese fight for their territory and, if you are lucky maybe you will see an otter as it stealthily glides between the reed beds. Buzzards soar above you and swallows skim the water in front of boat’s bows mesmerising your gaze. They all contribute to making a magic potion that once consumed allows you to seriously lose yourself.

We stayed at Salhouse Lodge, a small and basic campsite just a 15 minute cycle or 7 minute taxi drive away from Wroxham. It is here that you can hire day-boats from £20 for 1 hour in low season to £80 for 4 hours in high season. From here you can also stay or have lunch at the riverside Wroxham Hotel, take a train inland into Norwich or out to Cromer on the east coast. Wroxham is a great central place to explore the Norfolk Broads and if you go, you must check out Roy’s at least once!

Have a look at our gallery of the Norfolk Broads below.

Norfolk Broads Greylag goose,Norfolk, UK

Norfolk’s capital Norwich

Norfolk’s draw may well be of the watery kind, although don’t underestimate Norwich. Having been a couple of decades ago for work, I have no lasting memories of the city other than the incredibly long drive to get there from Cheltenham. Still a revisit with our friends gave us an opportunity to explore its landmarks and Saxon and Norman influences. In our three years of full-time travel, we have learnt to keep our minds open and curious as this is how treasures can be found. And this mindset served us well for our short visit to Norwich.

Heading out on the hourly train from Wroxham, for a mere £6.50 return per person we were soon hurtling towards this cathedral city. My research told me that there was a castle to explore, The Lanes, a river and of course the Cathedral. With my pinned map of highlights we set off for a walking tour so we could, at the very least, get a flavour of this East Anglian city.

Once the second most important city after London thanks, in part to its lucrative wool trade, Norfolk’s Norwich packs an historical punch. With Anglo-Saxon heritage followed by a strong Viking influence and Norman conquests, its colourful past has shadows and treachery fringing its edges. Jews once settled here and then were subsequently massacred after their suspected involvement in the murder of a Norwich boy. Norwich, it seems, created itself as a centre for strangers, welcoming French, Dutch and Flemish amongst others, each nation bringing their own skills to add to Norwich’s tapestry. Of particular significance were the Flemish pet canaries, that they began to breed locally in 16th century. Interestingly their legacy continues today as we see Norwich adopting the canary as their mascot and their football club has the canary as their emblem. Isn’t it great to know the source of such traditions?

In addition to Norwich being the only city in England to be contained within the boundaries of a National Park, it also:

is the most complete medieval city in England
has the most medieval churches of any western European city, north of the Alps
has the largest permanent undercover market in Europe
has the second largest cathedral spire in England and Europe
was voted the happiest place to work in 2016; and in 2018 the best place to live in England.

Now that’s some boasting.

So if we have enticed you just a little, you’ll not be disappointed by our Top 7 recommendations to add to your Norwich visit;

The 12th century Norman Castle, which is now a museum (52.628773, 1.296308)
The Cathedral and its grounds (52.631761, 1.301027)
The undercover market and old town gaol (52.628515, 1.293226)
The Lanes, a series of pedestrian alleys with cobbled streets and artisan shops (52.629103, 1.293279)
Elm Hill, the most famous street in Norwich – a cobbled street dating back to Tudor times (52.631309, 1.296643)
The Halls, the best and most complete example of a Friary complex in England (52.630973, 1.295577)
The river walk which is easily accessed from the train station.

Have a look at our gallery of Norwich below.

Check out our video footage, giving you a glimpse of our four day visit to Norfolk.

Closing thoughts on Norfolk

Ok, so we recognise that we didn’t see a great deal of Norfolk, although our introduction to this region was surprisingly positive. When looking to explore the vastness of English beauties, it’s easy to be swayed by perspectives that consider Norfolk to be flat, boring and too far to drive. Although after our four days in the Norfolk Broads area, we have been so impressed and really want to challenge the ‘backwater’ reputation that East Anglia has had to suffer in the past.

We have come to appreciate flat in our three years of full-time travel, as every landscape has something to offer. And with flatness comes a whole unique perspective like no other. And the Broads themselves, well they are just a water maze of intrigue and natural beauty akin to the Netherlands. Norwich we have seriously underestimated and with its rich tapestry of history and evolution, this city has so much more than just a shopping experience.

And that is before you have even begun to explore the coast, which will be our next journey – another time. For now, we will look back at our Norfolk exploration with fondness and step forward with a desire to promote it as a place to visit.

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Top Spots in UK – An Interactive Map

by Karen Davies | Mar 2, 2019 | Interactive maps, Travel Blog, UK

Quintessential England with afternoon teas on the lawn, chocolate-box villages with thatched roofs and duck ponds and swans. Just some of the images that come to mind when I think of our home country. And whilst for the moment we choose to roam around Europe and explore foreign lands, there’s no doubting England has some gems.

A friend is coming to England this summer from New Zealand and so I have put together the highlights that we have come to know and love about this stalwart island and compiled it all into an interactive map. As a guide, it is of course not complete. It never could be as this is a personal journal of our highlights over the last fifty years as Britains. Although it is a start….

So we invite you in to explore:

The southern shores of Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset
The delights of the south west, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset
The quintessential heart of England in the Cotswolds
Bath and Avon
Wales and her borders
Up north including the Lake District, Northumberland, Derbyshire and York
Isle of Man – we couldn’t pass this opportunity up after living there 18 years.

For our interactive map combining all our highlights, click on the link below. Of course for more information why not check out the Lonely Planet’s Guide to England.

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Maiden Solo Voyage

by Karen Davies | Apr 18, 2018 | Travel Blog, UK

With our trip back to UK full of long To-Do-Lists and high priority actions that were more strategic than a plan for battle, having a weekend sojourn with my bestie was just the tonic I needed. Three years is a long time not to see your nearest and dearest and whilst I love the ability to Skype and FaceTime, it’s never quite as good as seeing someone in the flesh. So as one of our lovely followers aptly named our meeting – it was going to be a weekend of Gin-Wagging and two Birthday celebrations to boot.

I became starkly aware when my anticipation of the weekend had moved from purchasing a few bottles of Rhubarb and Ginger Gin and getting our meals pre-prepared, that actually this was my first solo trip without Mr Sunshine! Whilst I have driven Scoobie on my own, not for more than five minutes and both events resulted in a war wound. So as you can imagine my anxiety suddenly increased at the thought of 100 miles without my right-hand man. Still our travel lifestyle has always been about confronting fears head on. Fear these days really doesn’t stop me, although it does make me just a little bit more mindful – which is no bad thing.

The day approached to embark on my maiden voyage to Bristol Airport to pick up my ‘bestie’. With the fridge packed, a full tank of LPG despite the UK shortage and all we needed for a fun-filled weekend of RnR, I headed off. And what a trip it was, save a small graze on the wing mirror when my battle was lost with an oversized tractor who thought he was king of the Somerset roads. Aside of that, all was well with Scoobie and my it was great to be back onboard our faithful chariot.

Here are our highlights should you decide to put North Somerset on your list.

Bristol Airport

You can get into the drop off zone with your moho. Although you have to park across 2 parking spaces, getting in and out was doable. £1 for 10 mins. For ease, there are a number of lay-bys about 10 minutes away, where you can pull in to wait for flight arrivals. This makes it slightly easier than waiting around in an expensive car park or trying to get into the short stay parking areas, which have limited parking options for 7.5m+ vans.

Stanton Drew – Druids Arms Inn – Motorhome Pub stopover

One of the things we have enjoyed about coming back to UK is experiencing the Pub Stopover scheme. I guess similar to France Passion, it has been lovely to camp out at a public establishment and enjoy their local tipple. The Druids Arms didn’t disappoint with its charming stone village houses, Standing Stones and narrow roads, there was plenty of charm. The car park is just past the pub on the left and is up on the upper tier. Although the ground is on a bit of a slope, nothing that a set of chocks won’t resolve. Talking to the owner, they have big plans to develop the car park to make it more attractive to motorhome visitors. For the moment, you are blessed with great views across the fields with the sound of church bells to gently rouse you in the morning and the prospect of fresh eggs from the hens all named after the pub’s staff. We arrived too late to sample their food, although I did promise that we would give them a great plug here in return for our free night’s stay. For more details click HERE. Their co-ordinates are 51.365715 -2.579927

Bath Marina Campsite – A4 Bath

Bath is one of the most alluring Spa towns I know and it draws me back time and time again without hesitation. Its blend of history, architecture and natural beauty entice the humbled tourist to sample its offerings. And let’s not forget the shopping that presents unique boutiques as well as your brand name shops. And what better way to enjoy Bath’s deliciousness than by stopping overnight at the Bath Marina Campsite. It is only 2 miles from Bath on the A4, which you can reach either on foot, by bike on the adjacent canal or by one of the many buses that pass by on the main road. For £2.50 you will arrive in the hub of Bath ready to walk your socks off.

The campsite is a fairly large site with 64 pitches and is open all year round, although I would advise booking, as it was really busy when we arrived. Large hard-standing pitches are available at a price of £28.40 per night (prices quoted at April 2018 for a 7.5m van plus two adults.) Each avenue of pitches has its own drinking water station and grey waste dump and the shower facilities, whilst look very basic are clean and efficient. Sometimes it is just worth paying a price for the location and accessibility. Parking in large towns and cities is so difficult for us motorhomies that having somewhere like the Bath Marina site is a bonus.

You can find out more by contacting them through their website at Bath Marina Campsite. Their co-ordinates are 51.388. -2.403617

Bath Spa

Iconic Bath where you can learn, discover, shop, eat, people watch, walk and rejuvenate. So many appeals to the mind, body and spirit. If it’s a walk around the historical studded town; The Pump Rooms with its World Heritage status shows off the most ancient religious spas of Northern Europe or perhaps Bath’s Cathedral would please you. The Royal Crescent will stop you in your tracks and through every street you will get a sense of history balanced with an elegant modern face that honours its past.

If you fancy being more in the now than the past then why not indulge in a spot of rest and relaxation. Bath’s natural thermal springs make this town a focal point for well-being and no better a place to visit than the modern twist on Roman baths at the Thermae Spa. This 21st Century building has history at its heart together with your well-being on their agenda. With two hour slots available you can enjoy three floors of relaxation delights; from an outdoor rooftop pool that overlooks Bath’s historical roofline to a heady bath in the basement with its lazy river flow that makes you feel weightless; or may be the Wellness Suite that gives you diverse range of multi-sensory experiences. Why not commit to some personal well-being and check out this luxurious Spa although watch out for weekends when it is incredibly busy and you will have to share the space! Check out their website for more information; Thermae Bath Spa

Chew Valley Lakes

The home of Yeo Yoghurt this stunning rolling countryside is full of Somerset sumptuousness. Whilst the roads are narrow in places and tractors here are kings of the road or so they think. So driving with caution is necessary for your sanity to stay in tact. After leaving Bath, a trip to the Chew Valley Lakes is more than worthwhile. Although there looks to be no camping opportunities, for a day-time stopover, the Picnic areas on the lake are well worth a visit. Parking isn’t easy for motorhomes as you can see from the picture, although there are larger spots on the coach parking area if it’s too busy to park lengthways.

The Chew Valley Lake is the 5th largest in UK and is renowned for great fishing. To park in the official car parks is £2 all day.

So as I look back at my Somerset road-trip I can feel proud of my solo efforts and joy of not only being able to share our home with my bestie, also being able to get to see a stunning part of the country. A triumph for my solo confidence and an elevation in my capabilities. And yet again proof that we can overcome our fears as they are only hidden in our minds and are so often not reality. Step out of your comfort zone and surprise yourself in how easy and joyful life can be.

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