Rachel Kershaw’s a lucky lady. Her infectious personality and passion for her home country won her an all-expenses tour around England. The only downside? She has to drive herself the whole way round in an old-school VW camper van. Oh, and her accommodation isn’t exactly 5-star – she beds down in said camper each night, too.
Still, at least Rachel is getting on with her trusty, if aerodynamically-challenged, steed – she’s affectionately named the hulk of metal “Rosie”. We say trusty … the van has broken down at least once.
Organised by England’s national tourism board, the 10-week tour was inspired by the Olympic Torch Relay. Just like the torch, Rachel kicked off her travels from Land’s End.
Now halfway, she’s driven well over 3,000 miles, reaching as far north as Newcastle. On the way, she’s woken up on 26 different Camping & Caravanning Club sites around the country and, in typically English understated style, recorded 47 waves from passers-by and about 12 toots from fellow drivers.
In keeping with English custom, Rachel estimates she’s had nearly 80 cups of tea, which works out at a modest 2.28 per day. She also reckons she’s had one English breakfast per week – which we consider a respectable amount, as long as the rest of her tour diet hasn’t been made up of Cornish pasties, pork pies, fish and chips and ice cream!
With this being England, the weather has played a leading role in Rachel’s experience. In fine British tradition, she’s been rained on seven times and suffered one case of sunburn. Here’s hoping the skies have rid themselves of all that rain when the Games open in 24 days time!
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Image: Visit England)
