What a whirlwind month we’ve just had! Holly here, I have just waved goodbye to the loyal Land Rover that I’ve toured the country in for the past few weeks and called home on more than a few nights.

There’s a funny story to be shared there, you ready? For the first TWO WEEKS, I could not figure out how to fold the rear seats FLAT. They’d fold down, but there was an inconvenient bulge which meant it was no good for sleeping on, despite the 6 blankets, 6 pillows and 2 duvets I’d packed. So, not one to give into defeat, Nell and I resorted to curling up in the FLAT boot space! My logic was that a smaller, flat space was better than an uncomfortable, uneven larger space. So enjoy picturing both myself, a bouncy Lab and a mountain of duvets and throws distorting ourselves trying to settle down for a night’s sleep in the BOOT of the Discovery! You’re welcome for that Sunday entertainement.

After two weeks, I gave in, after one too many crooked necks, and claustrophobic mid-night wake ups. I rolled up my sleeves, tied back my unruly mane and went to battle, and whilst I couldn’t tell you HOW I did it, nor could I recreate it, after a lot of pushing, pulling, jumping and determination, the seats folded flat, where they stayed for the remainder of the trip.

Driving away from Emma’s homestead, in rural Somerset on Thursday, armed with a Tupperware box of the most delicious reject-M&S Florentines, which barely made it home I might add, after a busy few days together recording our last few interviews, I felt a mixture of sadness and excitement. Sad, that our mammoth road trip was coming to an end, and with it the end (for now) of incredible in-person interviews, matched with excitement for being able to hunker down and write them all up to share with you as part of the next chapter of Countrywoman’s Guide. I’ll also admit, I am excited to get back to the horses – I’ve missed them a huge amount!

In just under four weeks, Nell and I travelled over 2,000 miles and visited over 20 individuals, raising awareness for Pompe disease, Pompe Support Network and RABI as we went.

Emma joined us along the way, for a Northern leg across Northumberland, Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Shropshire and the Southern leg was with contacts she has in the South-West. In the end, we interviewed nearly half the people together and it was so good for us both to hear what people had to say.

Emma says,

“I was delighted to be able to get out and about with Holly – I’d done the route plan for her, which had really made my brain ache, so actually joining in and interviewing people was great fun. It was so inspiring for us both to hear their stories unfold, and we were moved by their candour and sometimes bravery in sharing advice that we know will help others along the way.

As we collected the stories, we ourselves made memories and new friends – everywhere we went we were offered mugs of tea, food and in Holly’s case often a parking space or a bed for the night – even a washing machine!

We set out to uncover some of the stories in the countryside, but we found so much more than that in the community, the hospitality and the love that people have for their countryside. It’s really quite magical…”

But let’s not sugar coat it all. This trip, like any, has not been without it’s challenges, but embracing them and learning from them are what turns a negative into a positive, and something which as a partnership, we embrace wholeheartedly.

It has been an incredible experience and one I, nor Emma, will forget for many years. I have been blown away and humbled by people’s willingness to open their homes to us, to dive with us beneath the surface and share shocking, heart wrenching and awe-inspiring true stories from their lives. We’ve also driven through some hidden gems nestled within the countryside across the UK, it seemed like some of these had been left behind in the most picture-perfect way as time has gone by.

There were babbling brooks within the raw and dramatic Dartmoor landscape, juvenile rowan bushes lined the lanes in Northumberland romanticising the landscape with their enchantingly vibrant red berries, and the winding, scenic drive from Dumfries & Galloway to Cumbria was something else entirely, captivating just doesn’t cut it.

My Dad said to me, during one of our phone conversations over this past month, ‘whilst you might not live a life of riches Holl, you sure are living a rich life through this,’ and it struck me. He is so right and on reflection, I am so lucky to live such a ‘rich’ – and I use the term loosely – life of incredible experiences, made possible through our interviewee’s willingness to share glimpses of their world with us which is an absolute privilege, and by our sponsors Hiho Silver, Dimpsey Glamping, Blackdown Shepherd Huts, and Carbon Neutral Britain who have made much of the trip possible through their sponsorship, ensuring any donations go directly to our charities.

Speaking of, whilst the physical road-trip has come to an end, Emma and I have chosen to keep our Just Giving page live, as we’ll be sharing the interviews over the coming weeks, and so our work is not yet finished, despite having parked up for now.

So far, we’ve raised over £700 for our two charities combined, and we are so thankful, whilst we have a way to go to reach our goal, the monies raised so far will have a direct benefit on our charities and the people they support. Just Giving send donations to their charities weekly, so they’ve already been receiving your support, something which would not be possible without you.

Thank you to Rachel Collins for capturing this brilliant moment. This photo of us laughing with Maddie Beaumont of The Cotley Inn sums up so much of these past few weeks: connecting with countrywomen across the country, laughing, sharing stories and so much more!

I can speak for us both, confidently, when I say, we are so looking forward to sharing more of the past few weeks on the road with you!