Where are you from?

Rebecca - Isle of Arran, Scotland, Graham - Tarbert, Scotland 

When did you start your interest in exploration?

Rebecca - after studying at art school in Edinburgh in my early 20’s I did the classic gap year through Asia and Australia. Not keen on the idea of catching buses and hostel life I bought a cheap camper van and travelled around the east of Australia for 6 months. I think this sparked the start of the journey for me and when I met Graham we had a shared interest in camper-vans which only fuelled the fire for further travel. 

Graham - As a child I was brought up in a rural Scottish village and would spend my days exploring my surroundings with hours spent outdoors. I think the adventurous side has always been in me as I was a keen sailer throughout my childhood but hadn’t travelled very far afield until we met and bought our first camper van. 

What is a brief understanding of your background story up until you started seeking adventure?

Rebecca - I was brought up on the Isle of Arran in Scotland, went to art school in Edinburgh and after travelling Australia for a year spent time dodging between different jobs until I met Graham 9 years ago. After a short time I left my current job, moved to live with Graham as we started working together buying and selling campervans for a living. 

Graham - I was brought up in a remote village outside of Tarbert in Scotland west coast, I was a keen dinghy sailor as a child and teenager and after leaving school studied mechanics and vehicle body work. I then went on to start my own business in my mid 20’s. 

What special skills do you have to help with your explorations?

Rebecca - no specific skills to note other than keeping morale high haha and good with people which comes in handy. 

Graham - Mechanical skills, will give repairing anything a go! 

Where have you explored so far?

Scotland (Scottish islands, lots of them!), 

Ireland, 

America, west coast 

Europe (France, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Holland), 

North Africa (Morocco) 

What is a brief understanding of your adventures so far?

We’ve been travelling abroad in camper vans over the last 5 years, primarily doing longer trips over the winter to avoid the British winter weather! We made the decision to sell our house in 2023 and now live full time between our truck ‘Waffle’ and sailboat ‘Kutani’. We bought the truck last year and have just returned from a 4 month trip to Morocco and have further plans on the horizon. With the weather improving (hopefully) over the summer months we then tend to explore by sea aboard our sailboat. 

What are the top three destinations you hope to explore next, and why?

By land - explore more or Africa.

- the pamir highway 

- Turkey

The challenge, the unknown, the scenery, the people. 

By sea - Norway, Eastern Mediterranean 

- the scenery in Norway and remote uncrowned  sailing conditions

- eastern med for the ability to sail in shorts and t-shirts and not full waterproof attire! 

Where would you recommend others visit?

Morocco, Italy (Sicily in winter) 

How do you primarily travel on your adventures today?

Truck - ‘Waffle’ 1990 Renault TRM2000, ex French military truck converted professionally in the Netherlands in 2014. We have owned the truck for just over a year and made some cosmetic alterations internally. We also added a winch, and more windows which have helped with light in the living space, other than that he was pretty perfect the way he was! 

Boat - ‘Kutani’ 1995 Trident Warrior 40, cutter rigged sailboat. Built to order with only 2 previous owners to us she is no 104 of 120ish made. 

She’s an incredibly capable blue water cruiser, we’ve added upgraded navigational equipment and cockpit enclosure for winter. 

What are five pieces of equipment that you always travel with?

Navigational devices, tool kit, google translate and teabags ha! 

Truck specific - spare parts! 

Boat specific - dinghy and GPS beacon 

What inspires you to explore more?

We take a lot of inspiration from other people’s travels through stories they choose to share with us. 

Graham - reading travel books and watching documentaries. 

How do you engage with others?

In person whether it’s locals to an area we are travelling or with others on a similar journey. We try wherever we are to connect with those around us and share a place rather than just passing through. 

We also engage with lots of travellers via social media whether it’s sharing trails, weather forecasts, or just asking advice. Both the over landing and sailing community are very welcoming and encouraging to be part of. 

Why is it important to embrace global cultures?

It’s important to go everywhere with an open mind. To be open to learn new things, push yourself out of your comfort zone and be kind and respectful to those whose environment you get to share.

In today's society it’s easy to form preconceived opinions of a place and its people but with an open attitude you are able to form your own opinions and to try new things, meet new people and feel immersed in different cultures. It’s not until you spend time in a place with those living there you get a true idea of what daily life is like, it’s important to take time to understand. 

What are your goals when you explore?

To see new places, challenge ourselves, meet new people and a sense of freedom and fun! 

What are some challenges you have experienced?

Truck - adjusting to the size of the truck at first was a big challenge. We’d already adjusted to selling our house and downsizing to a motorhome so then when we changed again a year later from 7m to 4.5m we had to prioritise items even further. 

- mechanical problems! 

Boat - weather! Weather is a big challenge being based currently on Scotland's west coast, when it’s good it’s real good but when it’s bad wow! We spent 2 months sailing in summer last year which felt more like sailing in winter due to the awful weather conditions! 

What has been your most meaningful moment so far?

Rebecca - not necessarily a glamorous or monumental travel moment but selling our house to live full time without a fixed abode after months of deliberating whether it was the ‘right’ thing to do. We’d been away for 3 months to Europe and I still wasn’t sure I wanted to go without a base but after being away travelling for a prolonged time it gave me the reassurance that this was the life we wanted and the right choice at the time for us to make.

Graham - the first winter trip we took after getting married, it fuelled the want to be away for longer! 

How has exploration changed you?

Rebecca - it’s made me less worried! I’ve been an anxious person for as long as I can remember and spent a lot of my life very apprehensive of change. I think the unpredictable nature of travel has made me more accepting of plans changing and sometimes situations being out of our control, in fact some of our most amazing memories come from spontaneous and unplanned experiences so now I see this as exciting and not as stressful!

Graham - it’s made me more conscious of what I need and don’t need. 

What is the number one lesson that you have learnt through your exploration?

Flexibility. Make loose plans but be prepared from them to change. Change isn’t as scary as it seems. 

How do you explore locally?

That’s the joy of carrying your home with you everywhere you go is anywhere can be home. 

I guess referring specifically to Scotland as home we try to take the truck to beautiful places to park even if just for the night. We also do a lot of sailing currently in Scotland, even if it’s just a day sail to break up the week!

What does the explmore mantra mean to you?

I think it’s all about connection. Whether it’s a connection you feel to the place you are visiting, or a community that you become part of by choosing to embark on the journey in the first place. 

It’s making sure you choose to be fully connected to every element of this lifestyle and being open to experience everything it throws your way. 

What advice would you give to others who are seeking life changing adventure?

Rebecca - Be bold and be brave! You may have to make sacrifices and changes to the life you already live but if you want it badly enough it’ll be worth it in the long run. 

Don’t worry about the perfect set up, time or situation the likelihood is it’ll develop along the way, overthinking gets you nowhere. 

Graham - Don’t dream too long, just do it!