A couple who lived in Somerset abandoned their ‘corporate’ lifestyle for what they thought would be a ‘grown-up gap year’ exploring Europe in a motorhome – and eight years, as well as 90,000 miles later, they’re still on the road. Karen, 56, and Myles Davies, 57, better known as The Motoroamers, have traversed 27 countries in their trusty vehicle named ‘Scoobie’.
Embarking on their journey in 2016, they’ve managed to work while travelling, with monthly expenses ranging from £1,500 to £2,000, compared to the £1,350 they used to pay just for rent at home. Initially setting out for a year-long European adventure, the couple, who initially met in Cheltenham, found themselves so enamoured with their new nomadic life that they never stopped, making Scoobie their permanent abode.
Now, after covering every corner of Europe and clocking up 90,000 miles, they’ve seen everything from the northern reaches of Norway to the Sahara desert in Morocco, and countless destinations in between. Karen, who is a yoga coach, travel writer, and author of leadership and personal development ebooks, shared: “Now into our ninth year, we are still going and living life to the full.
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“Travel has given us the greatest and most rich classroom we’ve ever experienced. We are more rounded people, have broader perspectives and clearer values. We are loving the freedom and choice that we have created in our lives – and now we want to inspire others to do the same.”
The intrepid pair first crossed paths in March 1988 at an insurance company in Cheltenham and tied the knot swiftly on 7 October 1989. The couple are now marking their 35th Coral anniversary.
Myles and Karen relocated to the Isle of Man in 1995. However, they remember how managing three businesses and working non-stop seven days a week ‘nearly broke them’, leaving them worn out and unwell.
Karen describes how, after withdrawing to the north of the island, they decided to return to the Somerset countryside – a place where they cherished their friends and family but still felt unsatisfied. Always motivated by adventure and exploration, the pair left their corporate jobs to embark on their slow travel journey through Europe in March 2016.
They enjoyed it so much that they maintained their nomadic lifestyle. Karen stated: “We have developed an appetite for seeing more of this incredible planet that we are privileged to call home.
“From off-the-beaten track destinations, where you find no tourists, to UNESCO sights that embody history, architecture and culture. And how, and when we see all this, it is firmly in our hands.”
“We can choose the sunrise that we want to wake up to, the neighbours we share it with, and where we wish our day to close. We feel incredibly privileged.”
Their motorhome, Scoobie, comes with a fixed island bed, bathroom, separate shower, wardrobes, a kitchen, full length fridge, freezer and lounge. The couple say they ‘worked hard’ to find the right van – but their travels have not been without challenges.
Karen shared: “Having owned a motorhome some 20 years ago and having toured New Zealand for six weeks in one too, we had a pretty good idea about the type of layout we wanted. And thanks to our research, we have never needed to swap him out.”
“But he has caused us some huge problems over the years! Two tyre blow outs, a new engine, countless punctures and plenty of costly wear and tear replacements.”
The couple consider the financial implications as part and parcel of their lifestyle, viewing Scoobie as their full-time residence.
Myles commented: “After all, cars and houses all have running costs. And a motorhome is no different. Of course without him being fit and well, our future travels would come under duress. So it is as much an investment in our lifestyle as it is the van.”
With Myles working in investment and rental portfolio management, they have a steady income stream, while Karen focuses on her coaching practice and manages their website and blog ‘Motoroaming’. Karen remarked: “The beauty of this lifestyle is that it is significantly cheaper than living in a house.”
Their monthly expenses, encompassing both day-to-day and annual fixed costs, range from £1,500-2,000, in stark contrast to the £1,350pm they used to pay just for rent in Somerset. They discuss how Brexit has created a new challenge for their full-time lifestyles: as they now plan their time around the Schengen Zone, which only enables people to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in every 180 days.
Though Karen says that Brexit also presents them with a new opportunity to “see travel with a broader view.” Karen explained: “We no longer need to look just through a European lens. Now we can take off the travel blinkers and see our wanderlust through new eyes.
Occasionally, Myles and Karen park their motorhome up in secure storage and take themselves around the world – from Singapore, Indonesia, Iceland and hopes for Canada next year. Karen added: “People often ask how we find life on the road as nomads, ‘No house, no roots and infinite possibilities, how do you cope? ‘, they ask us.
“I have found a new confidence and self-assuredness in my philosophy of life and about myself. For the first time in our lives, we are living and working to our full potential. Should we have done it earlier? No I don’t think so.
“Everything comes into our life at the right time. It took some time to work through my fears of being ‘house-less, although I have never looked back. We choose to live off-grid as much as we can, and the ability to be free of life’s chains is liberating.
“Freedom, happiness and choice are at the core of their lives. Now a caveat! This life is not for everyone. It has its challenges, like every aspect of our day to day living – although if you like your partner, that’s a good start.
“If you can compromise, communicate, laugh and problem solve, then this could be a way of life for you too. Travel as far as you can, for as long as you can, whenever you can; just travel.”
You can follow their adventures here: https://motoroaming.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/motoroaming/YouTube: @themotoroamers.