This is the usual ‘About Us’ section, would you believe? We’re Stacey and Joel, a married couple who live in Shropshire in the West Midlands. We’re keen travellers and have travelled a lot since we got together in 2013. We’re huge fans of city breaks but love to travel anywhere and everywhere. Our first-ever city break was in Budapest, inspired by the song Budapest by George Ezra. Since then, we have never looked back. We take any opportunity to get away, whether on a plane or in Bumper. You can learn more about Bumper, our Renault Trafic campervan, HERE.
Stacey
Hello, I’m Stacey! I got my bug for travelling in 2004 when I went to Greece to work as a children’s rep. There is nothing like swimming in the Mediterranean Sea or indulging in traditional Greek food. Since then, I have invested a lot of time in Early Years and working with vulnerable families and children. Having the 9-5 job has never stopped my travel addiction, though. Every spare week or weekend is filled with an adventure. I enjoy nothing more than planning a cheap and exciting trip away.
Joel
And I’m Joel, a photographer in the Royal Navy. This has taken me all over the world, but travelling with the Navy is never quite the same as travelling with your better half. I joined the Navy as a submariner, so I’m used to living in small, cramped spaces, but I’d say a camper van is like a palace compared to a submarine! I’ve covered anti-piracy and counter-narcotics in the Gulf, worked extensively with the Royal Marines, saw first-hand the devastation that Hurricane Irma had in the Caribbean and worked at Downing Street as the Official Photographer to the Prime Minister, who, at the time, was Theresa May. I now find myself teaching future professional Defence photographers at the Defence School of Photography. The Royal Navy has led to a unique, varied and exciting career, but it doesn’t quench my thirst anymore, leading me onto…
…The Future
Where do we want to be in the future? As I write this, we plan to live on the road in Bumper Mk2, which we plan to be a long-wheelbase high-top van of some sort. We’re a few years away from this yet. Joel’s time in the Navy needs to end, and we need to find a van and kit it out. But in the meantime, we are always planning for the future and adding to our bucket list. We want a life without the limits of work and the constraints of everyday life and want to experience all the things we can’t when we are holding down full-time jobs and paying a mortgage.
The Family
We have a son called Joshua and two cats named Nikon and Nala. Joel did not name the cat after a camera. That responsibility was down to Joshua, but it suits Nikon. The cats meet our needs – they are cute, full of character, and aren’t as demanding as dogs, which means we can travel. They are okay with the neighbour popping in to check the automatic pet feeder, which is still kicking out the Whiskas!
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