I found myself in a position in my late 20's where all my friends were in relationships and I didn't have anyone to go on holiday with. I was – and still am – a nurse and had limited funds for expensive holidays abroad.
My sister was a member of the National Trust and showed me an article about working holidays in her National Trust magazine.
At first I was very sceptical and wasn’t sure it was something I’d like to do on my own. In the end I decided to be brave and go for it. I’m so glad I changed my mind.
Working in the countryside
I was hooked from my first holiday and quickly signed up for two more. I did hedge-laying in the Lake District, scrub clearing at the Devil’s Punch Bowl in Surrey and preparing coastal paths in Devon.
I thoroughly enjoyed all these holidays. I loved the physical work, being out in the beautiful countryside and the chance to meet people from completely different backgrounds.
A romantic meeting
It was then on my fourth working holiday at Scotney Castle in 2009 that I met my husband, Matt.
Matt was also a participant on the holiday. I liked him from the first day and as I got to know him over the course of the week, I found myself liking him more and more.
Luckily the feeling was mutual and on the last day of the holiday Matt caught me in the kitchen and asked if I would like to see him again.
