A Bridlington man has written a book outlining his unusual and sometimes fraught travels from the Canary Islands to Yorkshire – during the start of the pandemic – with three dogs and by van.
The book is a remarkable tale of an epic journey undertaken by Gary Johnston-Smith and his three furry friends from the sunny shores of Fuerteventura to a rather chilly and wintery Bridlington – a journey of over 2500 miles, stretching across Spanish, French and British border controls.
The whole process was made all the more difficult due to the unprecedented pandemic, which meant international rules and regulations on travel and pretty much everything else were changing by the hour, and with the onset of Brexit, the risk of being stranded in the middle of nowhere was a very real possibility.
The journey had been meticulously planned by Gary’s partner Nicky, however due to unforeseen circumstances, Nicky had to pull out from the journey at the last minute, leaving Gary to take on the challenge of travelling alone with the three dogs.
Gary admits being the ‘ADHD King of Procrastination’ and this – he says – made the journey even more daunting.
Yet thanks to the help of Woodside Traders, he was provided with a reliable driver, Jim, and a spanking new van to make the journey.
Gary’s book documents the amazing countries and people he visited along the way and the difficulties of travelling with dogs during this unprecedented time, as well as his own inner thoughts and reflections about his past and future.
Eventually, Gary and the dogs were reunited with Nicky and are now happily settled in Bridlington, a place they and the dogs are thoroughly enjoying.
Gary and Nicky can often be seen walking their four-legged friends around Sewerby fields, near to Bridlington – with the couple and their dogs having settled down well to a new pace of life in East Yorkshire.
Gary’s book – MY DIARY: Harry, Evie and Charlie’s Great Adventure is available on Amazon and Kindle.
