We couldn’t post about our next adventure without a quick update on where we have been, because actually, despite the huge challenges and disappointments of the past 12 months, it’s important to highlight all the positives that have come our way, even though none of them were expected.
SPRING
2020
Returning to the UK brokenhearted at the end of March, homeless and jobless, was probably our 2020 low point.
April saw a lot of sulking, days of frustration from each of us, taking it in turns to suggest more and more obscure and wilder ways to get back to the states and back on the trail. Applying for temporary fruit picking jobs made us feel we were doing something sensible, but most of the time was spent checking flights, checking and rechecking the rules. This unfamiliar period of the year did however reinforce a few things for us; there was no doubt hiking the PCT was something we both still desperately wanted to do, we learnt more about how each other coped with such disappointment and how best we could help each other through the tricky realisation that this year’s hike was not going to happen and discovered a newfound respect for each others feelings.
By May I had secured a job at our local Tesco, helping out with the now highly in demand click and collect service. The shift was 04:00 – 12:00 and I committed to 4 days a week.I learnt my fastest shopping was done for refrigerated goods, although the task was boring at times it did involve engaging enough of the brain that I couldn’t listen to a podcast at the same time and therefore the best form of entertainment was making up stories about the people behind the orders. There is always huge value in embracing a new experience, I still had to overcome that fear of meeting new people, asking for help and making mistakes. But I was motivated by the knowledge that I was contributing as a key worker at a time of crisis, learning about stock control, targets and logistics but most importantly, it seemed, getting first dibs on the bread flour.
SUMMER
2020
On June 1st I started a role relevant to my career and stepped up to the challenge of joining a new company and new team remotely. That week we had been taking our daily exercise, walking locally, and passed a beautifully converted camper van. The following week Audrey arrived, our 2013 Fiat Ducato with her distinctive orange front, quite possibly our most extravagant and spontaneous purchase yet. In true Tom style a renovation plan had been documented, the relevant YouTube links embedded and my Pinterest Board approved, from here the conversion began.
By July Tom had also successfully secured a job and so Audrey’s conversion was limited to lunchtime, after-work and weekends. Luckily the summer evenings were kind, we were blessed with space to work and FOMO was not a concern as there was not much else we were allowed to do or places we could go anyway. I learnt a lot about insulation, paint drying times and grades of sandpaper along with perfecting the ability to make the most of every minute available. By the end of the month Audrey had a side window, fan in the roof, was fully foiled with insulation, had a floor, bed and kitchen unit with one chair.
August saw Audrey’s first road trip down to Cornwall; as cupboards and the bed were in place she was a comfy warm place to sleep but under the bonnet she was not sounding great. We struggled back from the south and took her straight to the garage. Luckily the problem was identified and was fixable but would cost us the rest of our budget. The Grand Designs curse had hit our build but as always on the show we borrowed from savings and carried on regardless.
AUTUMN
2020
September saw a second road trip to Wales, 3 nights over a long weekend. We visited the beautiful Portmeirion walking it’s unique coastline, stand up paddled in Barmouth Bay and hiked Llyn Ogwen. We had every weather condition, as is expected, and had the opportunity to test cupboard, seat and table positioning, the porta potty and exactly what speed you could get away with taking a roundabout without the draws flying open. Our higher position in Audrey’s cabin provided us with a different perspective of Snowdonia’s national park, the higher view of the drive through the valley was fabulous and seemed extra special as Wales closed its borders just days later.
In October we moved to the Peak District, chosen so that if required I could more easily get to the Manchester Office but the reality of more lockdowns meant that we were both able to enjoy our new home more than planned. It was a new and different kind of beautiful, we had a choice of hilly trails to run or walk straight from the house. Everything we needed grocery wise was walking distance including a fabulous local green grocer, deli and to Tom’s delight a bottle shop.
Our weekends were full of plans to host our friends and family and we were very much looking forward to sharing the exploring of a new area with them but sadly the tier system was put in place soon after our arrival so we settled in for a Winter of each other’s company and made our way through the gin and beer we had stocked up on.
A visitorless November meant we made a deal with each other to get Audrey completed by the end of the year. Making the most of every dry day, getting supplies delivered to the house and taking advantage of Richard’s (Tom’s Dad) 2 week quarantine with us. We made decent progress, my jobs included tiling the splash back, putting down the cork flooring, making curtains and ordering practical bits from IKEA.
WINTER
2020
December We were successful in our mission and are very proud of our camper conversion achievement. With plans to drive around the country delivering Christmas gifts and wishes we had Audrey prepped for her biggest road trip yet and to be respectful of the situation we were prepared to be totally self-sufficient, meeting others outdoors only to show off our new home. Sadly the new strain of the virus threw a last minute curve ball to those plans and we didn’t make it far. Despite the world spending Christmas in the most restrictive way possible, the completion of Audrey does bring me the feeling of ultimate freedom. Our very own home, on wheels that have the potential to take us anywhere.
January, a new year but the lockdown situation still very much the same, however the Peak District didn’t disappoint with whole days of snowfall and that handy hill behind the house, our Amazon order was placed and sledging was a big part of our daily exercise. We applied and were successful in getting a PCT Permit for 2021 knowing in our heart of hearts the chances of being allowed to fly to the USA were pretty slim.
February saw long local, weekend hikes in all weathers in preparation for the unknown, with the lease on the house in the Peaks coming to an end and a post lockdown roadmap published we started thinking about what we wanted from the year ahead, what opportunities were available to us and mapping out our realistic options.
SPRING
2021
We moved to Cornwall in March, renting another AirBnB property long term we both worked remotely, fully embraced our new daily exercise routine by the sea and enjoyed precious time with family who live locally.
The driest April since forever meant weekend hikes along the coast path resulted in red noses, morning sea swims became more inviting and Audrey’s solar panel’s were fully utilised along with all her other new features.
As we began to have more and more faith that the roadmap was going to unfold as planned we began to make bigger and bolder decisions and at some point committed to hiking from John O’Groats back to Cornwall, Lands End.
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