From Highbridge Devon Branch to the Artic Circle

In March 2024, Mr and Mrs Gilbert collected their Adria Compact Motorhome from Highbridge Caravans Devon Branch and set off on an extraordinary journey to the Arctic Circle. Their mission: to collect Luna, a five-year-old Alaskan Husky retiring from mushing due to an injured paw.

They first met Luna in February during a dog sledging expedition in Ovre National Park, north of Norway. Their week-long adventure involved 25 Huskies pulling sledges across snow-filled valleys and remote mountain huts, enduring daytime temperatures of -5 to -15°C and nights of -20 to -30°C. While Luna did not join the sledge team, they got to know her at the farm and quickly grew fond of her. Back in the UK, they explored every option to fly Luna, airlines, shipping agents, Heathrow Animal Reception Centre, DEFRA, UK customs, but nothing worked. The solution? They decided to drive the 5,000-mile round trip themselves, giving Luna a safe and comfortable journey.

Mr Gilbert travelled alone on the outward leg because he is retired, while Mrs Gilbert, still working, flew out later to join him. His solo drive took him across Europe, through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden, before entering Norway’s dramatic mountains and snow-covered valleys. At Narvik, the Gilberts were reunited and spent the next 24 hours with their friends and also reviewing Luna’s full paperwork: rabies inoculation, microchip registration, passport, and all health checks required for international travel. They also greeted the other 40 Huskies, including that year’s adorable puppies, though, as Mr Gilbert declared, "it’s still a mystery how Mrs Gilbert resisted sneaking one into the motorhome!"

The Adria Compact proved perfect: compact for narrow roads, comfortable inside, with generous storage, even for Luna’s crate. Minor issues, like a small water leak, were quickly fixed without disrupting the adventure. The trio completed their journey home with memories to last a lifetime. A return trip to Arctic Circle is already planned… and Mr Gilbert suspects his wife may have her eye on a companion for Luna already! This journey is a perfect example of the freedom a motorhome can offer, turning dreams into once-in-a-lifetime adventures. If you are dreaming of your own epic road trip, the team at Highbridge Caravan Centre Ltd can help you get on the road.