European adventurers

In 2019, Keira and Richard Reid realised a long-held ambition to sell up, quit their jobs (marketing and forestry, respectively), buy themselves a motorhome and go touring in Europe. At the time, they were living in south-west Scotland with their children – Piper, aged three, and Jack, aged one – and dog Charlie.

“We knew we wanted to move out of the area,” says Keira. “And we thought, if we are going to be moving, why not do the trip now and then decide where we want to move to when we return?”

And that’s exactly what the family did. They bought a seven-berth Rimor Seal 9 and ended up spending five months working their way north to Norway and then all the way south to Gibraltar.

The 2016 Rimor had everything that they needed, including bunks at the back and an overcab bed at the front, and at 7m long, provided them with plenty of space – perfect for an extended trip to Europe.

“The bunk bed layout suited us to a tee,” says Keira. “We wanted the children to have their own space, so during the day we had their toy boxes at the end of their beds and it was a place for them to play, and then they could nap, and sleep there at night.”

Their route took them across to Calais by ferry, up to Belgium, then to Germany and Denmark, where they took a ferry to Sweden and then into Norway. They drove to Nordkapp, on Norway’s northern tip, before travelling south through Finland, Sweden, Germany and Switzerland. They briefly visited Italy before returning to France, then headed into Spain and Gibraltar, before returning to the UK via France.

And what was their favourite part of the tour? “Norway – hands down,” says Keira. “Breathtaking scenery around every corner. Scandinavia made the trip for us - if we’d just gone south or to Germany, Italy and Spain, it wouldn’t have been the same.

“I recommend anyone doing a similar trip not to overlook the Northern European countries. Germany’s Black Forest was also amazing, with really wonderful viewpoints and walks.”

The family returned to the UK feeling re-energised and with an enthusiasm for travel.