Rosie and I have come a long way together

It doesn’t seem like two minutes since I picked up Rosie in Falmouth and spent my first night of the trip at Sennen Cove Camping and Caravanning Club site in Cornwall. So it came as quite a shock when I suddenly realised I’m now over half-way through my epic road trip around England!

I’ve been contemplating what I’ve achieved by the half-way point and the stats are quite impressive…

No power steering!

I’ve driven 3,155 miles visiting loads of wonderful villages, towns and cities along the way. Liverpool, Newcastle, Bath, Bristol, Worcester, Bradford on Avon, Chester, Allendale, Blackpool , to name just a few! The Camping and Caravanning Club have welcomed Rosie and I at a different site every night!

I’ve had lots of support along the way and I’ve counted about 47 waves from passers-by and at least 12 toots from fellow drivers. 

Waiting for the AA man to fix Rosie

Thanks to my trusty sat-nav’s directions, there have only been four wrong turns and good old Rosie has only had one breakdown. Not bad going!

It’s a good job Rosie has a kettle as I can’t function without my morning cuppa, I reckon I’ve probably had about  80 brews so far!

First breakfast in Rosie, at Cheddar Mendip Heights campsite, 23 May

I love an English breakfast too, there have been six of those, a respectable one per week!

Enjoying a Cornish pasty at the Eden Project

I’ll have to hit the gym when this trip is over as there have been plenty of pasties, pork pies, fish and chips and ice creams along the way too. Well, it would be rude not to indulge in some proper English grub wouldn’t it?

The rain hasn’t dampened my spirits

The weather is our national obsession so you’ll be pleased to hear I’ve only been rained on seven times and there has been just one case of sunburn.

Looking rather fetching in waders!

I’ve donned some rather unflattering outfits over the last few weeks, including a wetsuit, waders (twice!), a bungee harness, a bodyflight suit, a crash helmet and a bib. All for the love of England!

I’ve been no stranger to wildlife on my adventure, I’ve fished for trout in the River Eden, fed a rhino in Chester Zoo and even been stalked by lions and baboons at Knowsley Safari Park.

No wonder then that I’ve taken around 3,260 photographs!

I’ve so much to tell you about the places I’ve been and the things that I’ve seen – and I’ve still several weeks to go! So keep checking back for more tales of adventure!