Don't Tell Me I Can't......backpack Around The World!

Tina Rogers made her dream come true.

- Niamh Burns

Throwing my rucksack over my shoulder, I begin my eight-mile mountain trek uphill through the gorgeous French Pyrenees. Taking in the blue skies, beautiful mountains and streams, yes, I’m surrounded by vast wilderness, but I don’t feel an ounce of fear – in fact, my overriding feeling is one of disbelief. I’m finally fulfilling a dream I’ve had since childhood – a dream that had always seemed out of reach, until now.

After leaving school at 19 I started working in accountancy. Back then, I’d go on holidays with friends, but my career was my priority. And when my son Callum was born in 1996 I had even less time to spare.

Still, despite being a single mum, it didn’t stop me thinking about all the places I longed to visit. I was desperate to go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, visit European capitals and learn about different cultures.

When I met my partner Sam, a primary school teacher, in 2011, we often spoke about going backpacking together. The truth was though, it was just a dream.