A few months ago, I never would have thought I would be laying here in my very own home on wheels in Spain, dog on lap and a blissful coastal view ahead of me. Some people say it's the dream, i say you should live your dreams and create your own reality. There really is nothing holding you back, except what you want to believe is holding you back and so i created this life im living!

​I was asked by a random old man in Cork if I had won the lotto, truth is living in a van is rhe complete opposite to winning the lotto. You dont need money to do it, you basically cut out any bills you used to have and minimize costs in your life. I sold my car, bought the van, gave it a makeover on a budget complete with all furnishings I had spent years collecting around the world and now all i have to pay for is diesel and food once in a while. Easy!


Its day 2 in the north of Spain and i feel like I've been here ages already. From the moment i drove off that ferry ramp and onto the right side of the road with Maggie and Gimli, i knew i had made the right decision. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and the view of the snow capped mountains before me were just incredible. I had no idea what to expect and i had never been to Santander before. I headed for the free motorhome area which i had found on Park4night and before i knew it, that evening i was neighboured by 14 other like minded campers. You could spot Maggie a mile away, the only funky looking green bus in the middle of all white motor homes. After filling up water and emptying my toilet for the first time (easier as less disgusting than i thought) i took the 30 min walk into the city and back. We explored all the streets, the waterfront and then walked around the park opposite where we had parked for the night. It was perfect!


We had a great sleep despite the anxiety of looking at the big bag full of laundry i needed to get done the next day. Its funny, normal errands become much more tricky when you have a big van which needs a specific parking area and a dog in toe. It proved to be difficult the next day finding somewhere, having gotten stuck in a car park and a dead end road, i left Santander for Suances, a town I knew nothing about, except they had a laundromat and i was desperate. I drove through all the small streets with no luck finding a parking spot and with panic approaching i decided to just pull in and chill. Moments later i kept driving only to find a side street with a big space to park and close to the laundromat. I took Gimli and my 15kg of clothes over my shoulder and headed in. It was a struggle to get the clothes in and out with Gimli there but i did it. In the mean time whilst passing time, we found the most amazing viewpoint with ample parking facing out over the coast and beaches, this would be our home tonight. I've learned that when things get tricky, just stop, breath and know that in a few hours you will be in a beautiful moment you didn't know could exist. Excited to see what's around the corner!

Driving to Cork was the longest drive i had taken in the van. I was sceptical that the van wouldn't be fully ready and something would give up on me, but it didn't. I arrived in one piece, with my mam as company and Gimli fast asleep in the back. It took a lot longer than i first thought considering the van goes 80km max without the whole thing toppling over, and to be honest with my home on wheels, im not taking the risk, even with truckers beeping and flashing their lights. Driving to my own time from here on!


I got a chance to reunite with two friends from my travels, both called Emily and both from Cork. We took Gimli to a dog friendly pub, drove to Skibereen, Clonakilty and Rosscarbery and i had one of the best sleeps in her driveway. Sounds mad! Without heat, but with an epic mattress, 2 big duvets and a woven blanket on top, i was in heaven, not to mention Gimli slept through the night in his newly created dog area which was so nice for me!
I sound like a new mom!


I caught up for drinks in Douglas with Emily and parked in her estate in a nice quiet bay, i even took a picture of the parking job which Emily was so excited about and i was rather pleased too. I headed to Kinsale and explored the beautiful town with Gimli before going to Garrettstown beach where I grabbed a parking spot beside a few other campers, all who left after sunset except one. I took Gimli on many walks along the beach and cliffside and he was in his element. The evening there was relaxing, watching movies, eating snacks and well, washing my hair in the sink of the public toilet- thank god no one walked in! Gotta do what ya gotta do eh?


The night was rocky, reminding me of sleeping on the ship and stopped me from sleeping the whole night in fear i would topple over- of course i wouldn't but still the thoughts were there. The tide came right in but I was happy to have s neighbour beside me in times of complete darkness, who i met the next day- a fellow vanlifer! It was so refreshing for me to meet my first vanlifer! Needless to say he gave me all the tips of the most beautiful places to stay in the area. I chilled, did some writing, listened to Kirtan (Indian chanting) and created a 2020 vision board for my van. The ferry has been delayed by a day so i have 2 more nights until i go to Spain, and many options on where to stay. It's busy at the beach considering it's Sunday but when night falls it's so quiet. As i write, Gimli snores quietly from rhe passenger seat, exhausted from his many walks today whilst the view of surfers catching waves greets me from the dining table window. Im really enjoying this time to myself and I am looking forward to the next couple of days and the crossing to Spain not long after. Who knows what will happen next!

With only 10 days to go until i leave on my van journey i can't help but get the usual nerves. Having spent a couple of nights at a campsite to test out the camper, i moved back home for the remainder of my time considering my ferry is not until the end of Jan. This allowed me to get some stuff sorted with the van, lay down a proper floor (which i received courtesy of my local garage), and get to know the ins and outs of it mechanically and functionally. I definitely don't know everything but im sure figure it out, and as my motto goes "What's the worst that can happen". There's always kind natured people out there to help if things go wrong and im astounded at how much support I've been getting from fellow vanlifers ive met online, i can't wait to join the community.


I will head off on Jan 22 to visit two friends in Cork, both called Emily, one whom i met in India and the other i met in Nepal just a few days apart and the three of us hung out back at home when i visited Cork soon after that trip. Now we get to reunite.

​Oh how i love travelling life and how things manifest.


I will spend 5 days visiting both of them before taking the ferry from Cork to Santander which will take 2 days. I will leave at 10.30pm and arrive 2 days later at 8am. From there, i will head off on the wrong side of the road but on the right side of the van, to find a beautiful spot to park for the night. I have no plan as of yet but I knew that i want to follow the ocean, wake up to the sound of birds and waves and be close to nature and like minded people, and of course cook good healthy local food.

This has been my calling for a long time and as free willed as I am, i was questioned by a close friend recently about what made me come home and stay in Ireland for so long, because as they put it 'that's just not me', and they knew that I was destined for more and wondered what had happened to my free spirit.
They were right!
I lost myself for a while which happens in relationships and in life in general and they say you've got to make sacrifices, but sacrificing your true nature shouldn't be an option.
I know that now.

​2020 will be a year to follow my dreams, live my life not just exist, meet inspiring people and learn to love myself. I have no doubt i will look back at this in a few months and see some progress, at least i hope.

It goes without saying that anyone reading this, if you find yourself in Portugal in the coming months, you have a place to stay- come visit.

For now, watch this space:

​Adventure loading.......

The thoughts of owning a camper van first entered my mind years ago, but they re entered my mind more seriously in 2018 when working on board Viking Sea. I craved freedom and this seemed to be the perfect time to do it, however all aspects of life got in the way and I quickly pushed the idea to the sidelines. It took a trip at the end of 2019, to convince me to revisit the idea- not that I needed much convincing. I had recently gotten a dog but had itchy feet, working as a a travel consultant and not feeling like my full potential was being put to use. I figured that with a dog in tow, a campervan would be the best idea for me. I quickly decided to start looking for campers and making a vague plan, and soon enough I had the perfect one, suitable for both of us to comfortably live and travel in. I got Gimli's passport, began painting and decorating and continued to dream about my Portuguese adventure. January seemed to be the perfect start for a new adventure so that is what I went with.


As of Jan 2020 I will be living and travelling full time along the coasts of Spain and Portugal with my little buddy by my side.
I will blog about my adventure so keep an eye on the #Vanlife Adventure page for updates.


Here is a quick glimpse at the cosy van in recent days >

​Before on the left and After on the right