We are lucky to be sat here enjoying some winter sunshine after what has been, a pretty miserable end to 2019 for us. Having enjoyed a really brilliant first part of the year, travelling and exploring in Hygge. We certainly came to earth with a bump in November and December when we were both poorly for almost 2 months. As a result we have not put much on Youtube or any blogs on our website.
So today we wanted to let you know we are still around with plans for 2020, but most importantly and firstly we wanted to say thank you to all of you who have taken the time to watch our Youtube channel and read our blogs on campervanhygge.com. We hope you have enjoyed coming on our travels with us and have taken something away from our hints and tips blogs. We have certainly enjoyed making them and reading your comments and emails.
Our most popular vlog of 2019 was Twinwood, where we really had a great time singing, dancing and chatting and generally soaking up the wonderful friendly atmosphere. For our very first music and dance festival in Hygge it was a 100% success and we would highly recommend it to anyone trying a festival for the first time. If you are a little unsure about what to expect or whether it is your thing, with so many different things on offer, from afternoon teas, a wonderful marketplace, multiple venues with differing type of music, to museums, dance lessons and great food, there was no chance of getting bored. And because it is a family friendly festival the atmosphere is relaxed, with low key security and smiles all round.
Our most popular blog of 2019 was Route 66 – The road less travelled, which covered our trip along the Dragons Spine in Wales from Llandudno to Cardiff. Wales’s answer to The Route 500 in Scotland, for us it was a wonderful journey of discovery. We deliberately chose to look for the less well-known places, off the beaten track, but not too far from the route, that really explored what Wales is all about. We discovered more about its microclimates, history, people and of course the spectacular scenery. We didn’t get to quite finish the route, as we ran out of time, enjoying ourselves too much and discovering far more than we had allocated time for, so rather than miss anything, we took our time and decided to return in 2020 to complete the end of the route from Brecon to Cardiff.
Our first foray abroad in Hygge was a real adventure. We, for the first time ever, booked a holiday not knowing where we would be from one week to the next or when we were going home. And we both agreed the sense of freedom this gave us was exhilarating, liberating and scary in equal measure. Some common sense did prevail however and Hygge was given a habitation check and service before we left and we made sure we had all the relevant documents, vignettes and medical stuff we needed before we went.
We felt France was a fairly good bet as first timers and we weren’t wrong. We found it to be a wonderful country to explore. Driving was easy, even for me. The roads well maintained and virtually empty. We travelled mainly on the A and B roads not motorways. Although when on the motorways, we found them well signposted and the tolls easy to use. The campsites were fantastic, Aires numerous and generally well maintained. France is geared up for campervanners and ‘camping car’ users. On the whole the people were exceptionally friendly and helpful and if you tried a bit of French they appreciated that even more.
Hygge has introduced us to and encouraged us to pursue different hobbies. Garry has been experimenting with and honing his video techniques and had a gimble from Father Christmas, so hopefully no more wobbles. This is a new hobby for him and something that he really enjoys.
We both enjoy photography and have spent many happy hours clicking away, blown away by the views, scenery and wildlife we have come across.
I have picked up a pencil and started drawing again. I also keep a travel log, full of drawings, photos, tickets and momentos of our travels. A wonderful reminder for my old age!!!
We both enjoy history and visiting historical sites and have managed to combine this love with all our trips.
We have both been watching other youtube vloggers and learned a lot of practical things and picked up on some wonderful places to visit. Dune du Pyla being just one.
Looking forward to 2020 and beyond. I am looking to explore a more route-based travel, basically I want to look at the many long-distance roads we have in Britain and create our own versions of the Route 500 or Route 66. I already have some ideas for some long -distance journeys and look forward to exploring and discovering some out of the way places that we can share with you.
Garry wants to put more vlogs on about the campsites we use and together we hope to provide more information on the places we visit.
On our Europe trip this year we hope to explore Germany, a little of Switzerland and Austria and return to France for a short spell. Garry lived in Germany for a while so he wants to go back to the area where he lived and we both want to explore Bavaria and Lake Constance.
Hopefully our Grandson will want to come away with us again for a few days. He made some lovely friends on the campsite last year and played a lot of football!
Who knows what else the year will bring, the thing about plans we have discovered, is to always be open to change them if necessary and not get stressed if things don’t pan out as you expected. Often the unexpected turns out to be a great adventure.
So that just leaves me to say we hope you stick with us for another year. We really enjoy reading your messages and comments so please keep them coming.
All the best for 2020 and wishing those of you who travel happy and safe journeys.
love Garry and Caroline
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