Where it all began
In the beginning
So, for as long as I can remember, I've had a love for travel. Whether it was school trips down the road to Hadrian's Wall, family holidays to Devon or Cornwall, or venturing further afield to sunnier climes, getting away from it all and experiencing different cultures filled me with energy and enthusiasm.
Lightbulb moment
I remember the pivotal moment was at 11 years old when I was lucky enough to be selected by my middle school to take part in a CISV (Children's International Summer Villages) summer programme. I spent a month during the summer of 1989 in Austria with 50 or so other children from around the world (4 kids from each country) together with an adult 'leader' from each home country. The time was filled with games, activities and cultural experiences from all of the countries represented in the 'village'. Having my eyes opened to how people from all over the world viewed life in so many different ways was mind-boggling for 11 year old me, but it definitely changed me forever! Growing up in north-east England was great, but not the most culturally-diverse of upbringings, but through my involvement with CISV and meeting people from so many different countries and walks of life, I realised that I wanted to get out there and see more! After the Austrian summer, I was fortunate to take part in a group exchange with Sweden and my family kindly hosted children taking part in their own summer programmes on several occasions, all through CISV, all of which fuelled my wanderlust further.
Into the future
While I was never the most academic at school, I loved studying languages and French and Spanish studies quickly became my favourite elements of my own education. Fast forward many years, and my job as a languages teacher in secondary education is allowing me to pass on this love for everything international to new generations (as well as taking advantage of the school holidays to continue to fuel my own passion for travel!).
And now...?
Hence my latest move to the world of 'campervanning'. Over the last few years I have rented camper vans on a few occasions in various countries (more on that later), with the end-goal of having my own.
Now that dream has become a reality, I cannot wait to get out there and continue exploring! Check out my camper here.
Watch this space for further adventures!
