Paula Rooney writes relatable travel memoirs. She approaches travel in a free and mostly unplanned fashion and enjoys whatever experiences present themselves to her. After parenting for many years, she now enjoys the freedom that solo travel gives her. Her children are thrilled to see Mum travelling and enjoying herself.
Paula grew up in Harlow, Essex, spent some time in Ipswich, Suffolk and settled in Cornwall with her children in 2001. Journalling holidays started with the first family holiday to Cornwall when she was ten, followed by a trip to Scotland and another trip to Cornwall.
Paula has published three travel books and has plans for a novel in the near future.
I Hope There’s a Kettle in my Room: The inspiring true story of a first solo backpacking journey around Europe at age 55
This solo backpacking trip in 2020 was life changing; it gave her time to take stock of her life and come to terms with the difficult decisions that we make as parents.
45 trains. 14 buses. 10 countries. 16 beds. a cable car and a tin boat in an underground cave.
She travelled to mountain tops, across the Swiss Alps, melted in Venice, felt emotional in Ljubljana, fell in love with Czech and was surprised with Germany. All the while, searching for a decent cup of tea and hoping there’s a kettle in the room.
Odd Poles and Baggy Trousers on the Camino de Santiago
Two years after her solo interrailing trip, Paula walked the Camino de Santiago. It took 36 days to walk the 500 miles from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago. This was a unique time out of life to enjoy the beauty of Spain and the beautiful Spanish villages and towns. Her journal chronicles the highs and lows of this unique pilgrimage, with vivid descriptions of the breathtaking scenery and the kindness of strangers along the way. When she arrived in Santiago and stood before the magnificent cathedral, surrounded by love, Paula knew that her life would never be the same again.
Tinsel and Tapas: Solo in Andalucia, Searching for Christmas.
What happens when your children have flown the nest and Christmas loses its magic? That’s the very question the author found herself asking. With her adult children off building their own holiday traditions, the familiar sparkle of Christmas had faded. The once-bustling house was now filled with an eerie quiet, and cherished traditions began to feel empty. She realised something had to change.
In a bold move, Paula decided to forgo an English Christmas altogether and embarked on a solo adventure to explore the warmth and beauty of Andalusia, Spain.
The perfect book for readers searching for a story about reclaiming joy and embracing life’s unexpected turns, this heartfelt memoir will remind you that new beginnings can happen at any age, and that sometimes the best gift we can give ourselves is the courage to change.
