Full Introduction

Meet Tan (and Aurora!)  Our Journey Begins

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Hi there and welcome to Tan in a Van! I’m Tan,  lover of adventures, hikes, road trips, and a brew with a view. I travel in multiple ways: as a solo backpacker, with friends and often with my four-legged passenger princess, Aurora, part path finder, part nap enthusiast, and full-time adventure dog.

I wanted to start this blog as way to document all my adventures big and small, near and far, solo and shared, keeping everything in one place. Its part diary, part reminder of what to to do and what not to do, alongside easy camping-friendly recipes and conversations with like-minded people who love swapping stories and advice.

What started on on Instagram as a ‘memory bank’ to remember the local walks I had taken Puppy (my memory of names can be terrible!) soon snowballed into buying a van, converting it (still a working process) and exploring further afield together. Along the way I've met incredible people, formed firm friends and made lifetime memories. 

Meet Aurora - the ultimate passenger princess and snuggle buddy.

Aurora is my four-legged ride-or-die and the heartbeat of where this whole adventure started. She’s got endless energy, a nose for food (or poo!), an unshakable love for muddy puddles and a weakness for crunchy carrots (which she’ll do just about anything to earn).

She never stops when we’re out and about, she’ll find every smell she can and then more. Her tail near stops wagging (unless your a male… sorry shes just not a fan) and her energy never dips until we make it back to the car/van/tent where she will snuggle up and snore away in as many of the blankets as she can. 

She reminds me to keep moving, appreciate the little things and to find the fun in every adventure no matter the distance, weather or amount of mud involve. You will often see her in my photos with her ears flapping, tail wagging, loving life.

Why Tan in a Van?

Growing up in the countryside being outdoors was just part of everyday life, looking after the animals, roaming the fields and making mud pies, I never realised at the time how much this helped me with managing stress. 

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Once I became an adult, life changed and even though I still enjoyed the outdoors I was only going for the odd walk here and there it wasn't a priority. It was only after a few rough years of mental health (hello your job is not worth it trust me!) getting Aurora changed everything. Walking become a priority resulting in me slowly starting to feel like myself again. 

After years of following other people on social media, watching their adventures I started to get braver in my own expeditions, Aurora and I would go further afield on our own, I'd join multiple group hikes, booked my first solo backpacking trip and eventually bought myself a van. 

From local hikes to solo backpacking trips abroad, Tan in a Van is about building a life that prioritises fresh air, adventure, friendships, food, chaos and the magic you find when you step outside your comfort zone all whilst still working a 9-5.

It’s not about racing through a bucket list or chasing extremes (unless the mood strikes) It’s about moving slowly, travelling gently, and appreciating the beauty along the journey whether I’m curled up with Aurora, sat around a campsite with my friends or carrying everything I need on my back.

What You’ll Find Here

Whether your a seasoned professional or never stepped out on a hike before, this blog is to inspire your adventures and help stop you getting into any ruts as well keep me reminded as to the places I have visited and the memories created. 

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You’ll find

• Honest reviews of places, camping and vanlife.

• Easy to cook recipes for camping.

• UK dog friendly hikes (mostly for energetic types)

• UK dog friendly campsites (both van and tent, suitable for a dog who can be a bit reactive when she is unsure)

• Conversations with like-minded people balancing adventure with a 9–5

• Roadtrip ideas across the UK (hopefully some further afield soon)

• Plenty photos of Aurora doing anything but sitting still. 

Along with a healthy side of chaos in nearly everything.

Thanks for being here. I’m excited to share this journey with you.

Let’s roam wild, tread lightly, and travel slow 

Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram www.instragram.com/tan_in_a_van