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Write 500 words on a tour that changed your life and put it with a couple of photos of you and your ’van, and if the Editor Niall Hampton likes it, you could be in the next issue of Practical Motorhome magazine – and we pay for all stories we publish.
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Need some inspiration? Read about our Kate’s solo tour to Wales in a micro-camper.
“The Welsh borders had always intrigued me. Wales is such a land of myth and magic, what with all the castles, a legendary dragon, the mighty River Severn and a fortified border.
Saxon King Offa of Mercia created Offa’s Dyke to keep the Welsh out of England. It may not be as spectacular as Hadrian’s Wall, but it’s now a well signposted walking route. So when I joined Practical Motorhome, this was one of the first tours I wanted to do – my own Offa’s Dyke trail.
What a clever little camper the Wheelhome Vikenze proved to be. Based on a diesel Fiat Fiorino it really is a model of ecofriendliness. The roof rises up at the touch of a button and contains a single bunk bed on one side and a ‘wardrobe’ platform on the other. There’s a tiny kitchen unit with two gas burners and a water container: just perfect for a solo tour. It was also bright orange.
The Severn Bridge toll-booth man was all smiles: “What is it? Can you sleep in it?”
Two of my campsites were empty, while the third was tiny and closed for the winter; they kindly opened the washroom for me. Not only was I camping solo, l was alone on a dark mountainside, and it was absolutely beautiful.
On my tour I explored Monmouth, Abergavenny, Kington, Knighton, Hergest Ridge and Hay-on-Wye. Travelling solo was so easy! I could be quite spontaneous, consulting no one and simply exploring the route at my own pace. Wherever I went I made a point of visiting the local shops and cafés and met people who were happy to chat.
The owner of the Tower Gallery in Kington gave me her recipe for Bara Brith teabread, and the owners of The Chocolate Box Cafe in Knighton introduced me to their friendly ghosts.
Some castles were closed for winter, but I got into Abergavenny Castle’s little museum. And yes, I walked along sections of the Offa’s Dyke Trail. I returned full of stories and photos.
So, would I travel solo by choice? Not too often, but it really was quite liberating.”
Write 500 words on a tour that changed your life – you could be in our magazine!