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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Jack Bowman & Paige Oldfield

Woman's heartbreaking diagnosis that inspired dream trip see Europe while she still can

When Trisha Pugh was hit with a devastating tumour diagnosis, her vision quickly started to deteriorate.

With a 10-month wait for surgery, and no guarantee it will help her sight in the long-term, she and husband Gareth decided to see the world while she still can.

So the pair sold up their possessions to enjoy a trip of a lifetime driving round Europe in a campervan.

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And while they have no plan of their exact destinations, high on their list are some places closer to home including Devils Bridge Falls in Wales and Stonehenge.

The couple had already carried out trips to Scotland and Ireland, taking in the British Isles, when Trish was diagnosed with the tumour, speeding up their dream cross-continent road trip.

But after renting motorhomes to start with, they splashed out on a Fiat Cheyenne 840SE motorhome and setting up a YouTube channel to diary their trips.

They told Hull Live: "We have a right laugh, it's just making memories. Whereas some people make a serious living from this YouTube thing, we're not about that - it's just for fun with us, it's just living the dream and making memories while you can."

Gareth and Trisha Pugh updating their viewers with a recent trip to Corrieshalloch Gorge & Victoria Falls in Scotland (Youtube)

Trisha was diagnosed with the benign growth in the pituitary gland in February this year. And while it is not cancerous, it is pushing against her optical nerves which is meaning her vision is becoming increasingly impaired.

After being told that surgery would be in around nine or 10 months time but unsure if it would help with Trisha's vision in the long run, the pair said it has given them an urgency to travel and fulfil their long-term dream.

And since moving into their motorhome full time, they have enjoyed their first-ever festival as well as visiting all over the beautiful British countryside.

Now they are stepping up their adventure on a trip to five countries across a nine-and-half-month period before Trisha's surgery. And while completely off-grid and even wild camping, the pair plan to use campsites every few weeks, or what they call "a servicestay", allowing them to use a proper launderette, fill up and use toilet facilities.

The married couple are vlogging their journey on YouTube to share their memories with their family back at home (Pughs on Tour)

After saying goodbye to family, the couple's first stop is west to visit Wales, a country neither has visited before. They are then heading to take in UK landmarks such as Stonehenge before boarding a ferry to head into France, Spain and Portugal.

However, under Brexit rules after 90 days in the EU, they will either need to return home for another 90 days or head to Morocco. Trisha said: "We're just winging this holiday, we've done no planning as a part of the fun.

"But I am desperate to see Devils Bridge Falls in Wales, and Stonehenge to see some silly rocks". Gareth meanwhile is more focused on small villages for the culture and different pubs, she said.

You can find Gareth's and Trisha's travelling vlogs on their YouTube channel here.

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