How to travel the UK & Ireland in a campervan: lessons from 1 month on the road

Driving through the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland in a campervan is one of those classic adventures that offers more delights than you bargained for. You expect the charming thatched-roof cottages of the English Cotswolds, but not the scores of swooning swans on the glassy Avon. You’ve heard about the mysterious lochs and mist-shrouded peaksContinue reading “How to travel the UK & Ireland in a campervan: lessons from 1 month on the road”

Walking Wales: the Pembrokeshire Coast & Brecon Beacons national parks

From the late night ferry between Ireland and Wales, to the deep-fried bread served at breakfast, and the hour spent patiently enduring a theological rant by a crazy woman in a carpark, it had been a rough start to the day. But by 4pm Dave and I were half way around the 6.8 mile StrumbleContinue reading “Walking Wales: the Pembrokeshire Coast & Brecon Beacons national parks”

The west coast of Ireland: Westport, Achill Island, Doolough, Galway & Cliffs of Moher

The salt haze has stiffened and the evening light has paled across the wild Atlantic view. I am warm and comfortable inside the campervan but the whistle of the coast wind brings chill bumps to my skin. I’m not sure how long I’ve been here. It could be an hour, it could be four. ButContinue reading “The west coast of Ireland: Westport, Achill Island, Doolough, Galway & Cliffs of Moher”

Driving the Causeway Coast: from Belfast to Derry, Northern Ireland

Winding along pebbled beaches, through cliff-side tunnels, past castles and natural wonders, it’s hard to believe that Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route was not designed especially for a tourism brochure. From Belfast, we took two laid-back days to drive the 120 mile coastline in our Wicked camper, finding plenty of delights along the way, andContinue reading “Driving the Causeway Coast: from Belfast to Derry, Northern Ireland”

Wide angle: a photo walk through Belfast, Northern Ireland

The complex character of Belfast is hard to pick. The iconic yellow Harland and Wolff cranes and sprawling harbour flag the city’s shipping roots. The regal city hall marks the influence of the English crown. The barbed wire, corrugated tin and concrete fences show this city has seen The Troubles. And the store-lined boulevards andContinue reading “Wide angle: a photo walk through Belfast, Northern Ireland”

The road to Glasgow, Scotland: the Highlands, Ben Nevis and Loch Lomond

When you look at the squiggly black line on a map, it’s hard to know what is in store for you on the road ahead. That 3cm patch of green ‘vegetation’  never quite translates to those tumbling fields of pastel green, the scraggly woodland thickets or proud lines of Scottish pines; that blob of blueContinue reading “The road to Glasgow, Scotland: the Highlands, Ben Nevis and Loch Lomond”

8 Essential Experiences in Edinburgh, Scotland

Crawling with history, wholesomely creative and full of personality, Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, is my latest destination crush. In fact, I will go as far as saying that, so far, Edinburgh is the highlight of my Wicked Campers road trip and one of the best cities of my 2012 European travel adventure. After three daysContinue reading “8 Essential Experiences in Edinburgh, Scotland”

A day along Hadrian’s Wall, England

Ever since Mr Jones, my ear-pierced, leather-jacketed Ancient History teacher, explained the marvel of Hadrian’s Wall, I have wanted to see it with my own eyes. So when we drove the length of it in our Wicked campervan the other day, I was quite an excited little traveller. Stretching 73 miles across the northern peninsulaContinue reading “A day along Hadrian’s Wall, England”

Exploring the Yorkshire Dales & the Lake District in a campervan

I’d been anticipating our visit to England’s Lake District with a niggling curiosity and measured excitement. The area that inspired literary greats such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor-Coleridge and Beatrix Potter was surely something to behold. But its coined popularity and links to the rich and famous had me wondering how much hype was inContinue reading “Exploring the Yorkshire Dales & the Lake District in a campervan”

Driving through the Peaks District to York, England

Complete with ancient Roman walls, a piano-serenaded cathedral and a castle tower encircled with daffodils, the city of York in England was another delightful find on my Wicked road trip around the UK and Ireland. After wild camping at the Buxton Traveller’s Rest in our Wicked campervan, we drove the 84 miles (134 kms) northContinue reading “Driving through the Peaks District to York, England”

My Wicked Campers road trip begins: UK & Ireland here I come

Do you ever feel like you just need to get into a car and go… explore…get lost? I’m now two adventure-packed months into a nine month European trip and am craving a different pace of travel. We’ve been city-hopping, backpacking, couch-surfing, weekender-ing and ski-tripping, so now it’s time to try something new. Today Dave andContinue reading “My Wicked Campers road trip begins: UK & Ireland here I come”