The Great Outdoors
Since childhood, I have always been interested in nature and ecology. Many of my early memories growing up come from my camping and caravanning experiences with my Mum and Dad. The cold, the wet, the heat and the wind, all add to the experience. Since having a family of my own, I have tried to share my experiences with my children, camping in a tent being the first, and then caravanning. The first purchase being an old caravan for £100 from a friend at work. We had some great family holidays in it and I eventually sold her for £200. I replaced all of the window and awning seals, cleaned her up, new upholstery carpets and curtains. As many of you know, money is often tight when bringing up young children and camping opens up a gateway of activities to enjoy cheaply. From walking, cycling, swimming to picnics and barbecues.
My children have now flown the nest, but that was not the end of camping, but rather the start of a new adventure and passion.
My wife and I purchased our first motorhome three years ago. On our first trip we decided to venture out to the Peak district national park. The motorhome was in exceptional condition when we set out on our journey of discovery, however, it did not take long to find our first major challenge.
I love satellite navigation most of the time, but they are not always reliable. Mine decided to take us down a very narrow, steep winding road. The road got narrower and steeper through to a steep sided rocky gorge until both sides of the motorhome were touching rocks on either side. We were stuck! What could I do?
I could not open the doors, only the windows, so I decided to vacate via the driver’s side window. I walked for about half a mile to check whether the condition improved or got worse. My choices being, to carry on down the hill, or try to reverse the 6.5 metre motorhome back up. (A dilemma).
The road did widen, so we decided to carry on. I was leaning out of my window and my wife through hers navigating diligently with millimetres to spare. We could hear the painful sound of metal and plastic on stone. Inching forward at a snail’s pace we eventually got through the narrow section (approximately 10 metres) in half an hour. It was so tight that a cyclist coming up the hill had to wait until we got clear.
We made it to the campsite and with fear and sadness in our hearts, took a look at the damage. The bumper had been ripped away on one side and we were devastated. Luckily for us there was a man at the campsite who could do a quick fix for us. A couple of drinks later at the pub and we decided to carry on our adventure the next day.
Needless to say, this has not been our only challenge during our adventures, too many to talk about this time around. Every experience makes you stronger and gives you the confidence to just go for it.
Many people would have been put off by our experience and given up. We are now on our second motorhome (8 metres in length + trailer) and have many scary tales to tell. We have survived and gained confidence over time. We go away most weekends and have enjoyed many long holidays in Scotland including Skye and the isle of Islay, France, Spain, and Portugal. We are planning a trip to the Outer Hebrides next year. Eventually we would like to travel full time around Europe for the next 10 years.
You have one life, live it!
Martin Johnson
sses, the rooms are organised to promote and develop continuous provision, with each area carefully planned and equipped with relevant resources and targeted, open questions to support and scaffold the learning. 
Every day, the children have the opportunity to follow their own interests to become artists, writers, mathematicians, scientists, designers or storytellers! Throughout the school environment, both inside and outside, you will see busy children actively engaged in a wide range of activities that they have chosen themselves, excitedly extending their own ideas and concept of what is possible. Continuous provision supports and encourages our children to have a lifelong love of learning.
