SOME ‘ME’ TIME

Campervan ownership offers a safe and versatile holiday for single people, too. Many single people buy a small campervan to use as their only vehicle, thinking they’ll mostly use it as a day van, with the odd campsite holiday as a bonus. But such is the freedom of owning a campervan that some seem to spread their wings and head off on very exciting adventures. Emma Jane Unsworth reveals the joys and perils of solo motorhome travel, in her article for The Guardian: Holidays for one: why I love to hit the road alone. “I’ve turned down holidays with family and friends to go away alone. Friends have worried that it might mean I was depressed. But depressed is the opposite of how I feel. It’s exhilarating feeling self-sufficient, getting somewhere under your own steam.”

Some of our friends enjoy travelling solo. Jenny uses her campervan as a base for archaeological dig weekends, and Jean supervises groups of DoE youngsters in the Brecon Beacons. Angela left her job in hospitality at Gatwick Airport and is now working as a part-time seal warden in East Anglia, staying in her campervan on farms and in wild camping spots at night. She’s been a tour guide in the past and loves outdoor life, whatever the weather. Suzi bought a medium-sized Sussex Campervan and has been recording videos and writing a blog of her wild camping expeditions, visiting a growing list of countries, notably Scotland, Norway, Sweden and Spain. Suzi says, “I’ve driven 1300 miles in Norway and every one of them has been completely amazing. I am truly living life, in the way I had dreamed. I am facing fears every day, and every day I overcome them.” Malcolm feels that going on holiday with his rescue dog George in the campervan has helped him to cope with the sad loss of his partner of 36 years. He says, “I've never felt lonely. I'm looking forward to being more adventurous this year."GOING SOLO