Escaping the rat race and just heading for the hills is a common fantasy, but Mel and her husband Andy decided to make it a reality. They converted an old Leyland bus and set off to wander the Highlands of Scotland in true nomadic style. They have a wonderful blog, which has samples of Mel's poetry, and a website selling Andy's stunning photographs (http://www.photoboxgallery.com/dafthermit).

The Basics

1.   Name

Mel

2.   Web/Blog address if applicable

http://theblackbuscompany.blogspot.com/

3.    Where do you live?

   a.    Are you from there originally?

   b.    Where else have you lived?

I live in the Highlands of Scotland in a converted bus. I am
originally from Leeds, but now I am from wherever we are parked up at
the moment.

4.    What is your living situation?

   a.    Partner?

   b.    Kids?

I am married. We have no kids but have 2 dogs; a collie called Dylan
and a Labrador called Custard, and 2 cats called Chloe and Wilkie.

5.    Job?

   a.    How long?

   b.    What other jobs have you had?

I am not working at the moment as for the last few years I have been
battling cancer. I have had various jobs which have included being a
care assistant in many nursing homes throughout the country.

The Tough Ones

1.    Summarize your entire life in 10 words or less.

Wonderful rollercoaster.

2.    Tell us what your typical day is like currently.

I lead a quiet life aboard my bus here in the Highlands of Scotland
and I now enjoy trying to get my poetry onto my laptop which my
husband is slowly teaching me to use.

3.    Tell us about the person that has had the most profound impact on your life:

   a.    During the last five years

   b.    From the very beginning

I would have to say that is my husband Andy. He has stood by me
through all my fights and is my ROCK. I have known him over 18 years now.

Before that I was brought up in a non-loving family, both parents
being abusive, so I had to rely on myself and quickly learn to take
care of myself.

4.    What is the greatest trauma you have ever experienced in your life and how did that impact you?

Like so many people, I have had a few, but I guess the biggest one to date would be being told that I had breast cancer, and for the last few years have battled with it appearing in both breasts. I have had chemo and two lots of radiotherapy and am still taking drugs which include morphine. Until a few months ago I was going to the doctors and hospitals but then one day I decided that I had had enough of the prodding and now I lead my life each day as it comes.

5.    What is the greatest joy or achievement you have ever experienced in your life and how did that impact you?

The day my hair grew back after chemo, and the day I married Andy.

6.    Let's pretend your life is a blank slate for 1 year - no partner,
kids, job, baggage of any sort. You can reinvent yourself completely
and take a year to do exactly what you want without any consequence to your current life. How would you spend that year?

I wouldn't want to change a thing, as I am already living my dream.

7.    What (if anything) are you able to do better now than at any other time in your life?

Listen.

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