"My mum was a traveller. She took the opportunity to sail across the Atlantic when she was 22 years old and in fact, didn’t return to England until she was 30. I sometimes wonder whether I inherited the travel bug from her, like it’s a genetic trait that one can pass on. As children, my siblings and I were often packed up and taken on adventures. From a young age travel was very much a part of our lives, so it wasn’t a surprise to my family when I took my first big solo trip at the ripe age of 18 years old. I booked a one-way ticket to Costa Rica where, a bit like Mum, I ended up staying for seven years.
Surfing also plays a huge part in my urge to travel. I’ve been surfing since I was five years old, it’s ingrained into my life and warm water waves always help push destinations to the top of my travel lists.
My time at school was tricky, I moved a lot and didn’t gel well with the system. Looking back, the routine and structure didn’t connect with me. At 18 I couldn’t wait to get out, to feel free. Since then I’ve learnt that I’m happiest when moving, experiencing new environments and flowing freely between cultures.
In my young travelling years, I would simply find somewhere I liked and secure a local job so that I could stay. I quickly learnt to speak fluent Spanish as well as hone my entrepreneurial skills, so I could keep working, keep moving. I haven’t always had photography as my main source of income, but photography and travelling are a match made in heaven. Travelling inspires me and I believe feeling inspired is when you create your best work. Now, I almost feel most comfortable out of my comfort zone.
The biggest downfall to being on the road is (as awful as it sounds) WiFi. Being disconnected can be pure bliss. However, I often need to send huge files which takes time, so when the WiFi is slow, quite frankly everything is slow. I sometimes miss having a home or an office space where I can spill out all my notes, throw my clothes around and pin up my mood boards.
A lot of people ask me if I get lonely travelling alone and yes, I do. That said there’s also something incredibly liberating about it; there’s an odd mix of nerves and peace. Travelling alone leads me to meet some incredible people. The generosity and compassion I encounter daily is what I find most special, it keeps me grateful.
I’m desperate to head out of my comfort zone and go somewhere cold next. Maybe I’ll drive the van up to Norway and go and see the fjords and the mountains, driving through the Netherlands and on up into Copenhagen. I envisage log cabins nestled into tall forests with woodburners and thick snowy steps to the door. I’ve been everywhere south of the UK in Europe but never North, so it seems only fair."
Pictured: Evie on a travel writing and photography break at luxury holiday cottage Siren in Cornwall.
