Back in November I threw caution to the wind, and got behind the wheel of a very lovely Peugeot 108 to drive myself and my good friend Roz to Cornwall. I was contacted by Peugeot who offered me the chance to test-drive the little motor for a week. I couldn’t wait. It was the perfect getaway car.

Although perfectly suited to narrow urban streets and parking in tiny spaces – (and for blasting out tunes from Capital Xtra) – the 108′s handy 7″ touch-screen display, which also serves as a monitor, automatically displays images from the reversing camera (hidden in the car’s rear bumper). 

I must confess that I am horrific at parking (my parents would add to this and say that I’m actually horrific at driving in general! Ok, so it did take me 5 times to pass my driving test!!) Having not been behind a wheel for a few years, this handy bit of technology definitely helped ease me back into it again.

Many of you will already be aware of the monumental shift that has happened in my life over the past 3 months. It’s been 101 days. Just 3 months and 1 week, to be precise, since JMG and I separated and decided to get a divorce.

The trip to Cornwall with Roz came at just the right time. I needed an escape and I was given the perfect opportunity to do so. Read the original post here, which explains a bit more about the road trip, and everything that I was going through at the time. Perhaps I’ll take a look at it myself, and make note of how far I’ve come since then.

The road trip was the perfect vehicle (excuse the pun) to immerse myself in an array of uplifting experiences. I can’t think of a time in my life when I’ve needed ‘uplifting’ more. At first we were going to get a train from London to Cornwall, but then when offered the Peugeot 108, I decided it would definitely give us more freedom to explore once we got to our destination.

The Peugeot 108 TOP! with retractable fabric roof, although rather dinky and conveniently compact in size, is actually one of the sturdiest small cars that I’ve ever driven. I’ve had some uncomfortable long-distance motorway journeys in Chevrolet Sparks in my time… The engine (in the Spark) is so loud that you can hardly hear yourself speak/think or whatever is meant to be playing on the radio.

The Peugeot 108 is the complete opposite, and prides itself on its elegant design, personalisation, technology and driving experience. It’s described as having an ‘about town’ personality, but I think it lends itself very well to an ‘out of town’ experience too - however, it is not, a 4x4… But even so, it definitely has a more premium and sophisticated feel than most other small cars. Small but perfectly formed. Its boot is large enough for a weekly shop or a short-break’s worth of luggage.

It actually feels as smooth, noise-free and comfortable to drive as any medium-sized model. We even got down to Cornwall on just one tank of petrol. To fill up the Peugeot 108 only cost £33.87 for 32.66 litres (as on November 2016). A bargain when you compare that to return train tickets from London to Cornwall, which would have cost well over £100 each.

Popchips set myself and a handful of other bloggers the challenge of finding the most uplifting moments and sharing the experience on our blogs, in the hope of winning two free flights to California. Such an amazing prize!

We explored the Eden Project…

Got a bit silly…

Basked in the beautiful surroundings…

And met some funny little creatures along the way.

**** DRUM ROLL***

I am excited to announce that I won the two free flights to California! Thank you, Popchips.

Thank you to every one who read my blog post. I have never received so much love and support in response to any one piece of writing. Despite being unashamedly peppered with brand references and sponsored opportunities, it was actually one of the most cathartic experiences writing the original post, and pouring out my feelings.

I’ll be taking my lovely friend Roz with me to California, who helped me with the challenge, and made our trip to Cornwall such a funny one.

We’re going to be setting off on our road trip to California in April 2016. We hope to dance our legs off at Coachella festival, and drive the 15 hours it takes from Las Vegas to Portland, with my friend Marcos.

Please share any of your own Californian road trip tips, including great places to go and photograph. I took the photo above of tourists at Yosemite National Park back in 2009 using my Mamiya C330 medium format camera. The light at golden hour was wonderful.

Having personal recommendations from you guys made such a difference to my last trips to New York, Singapore and Copenhagen, for places to eat/drink/see/sleep, etc. So thank you and please keep them coming. Where else should I put on my ‘places to travel in 2016′ list?

You can get in touch with me via Twitter @LucieKerley or on Instagram @LucieLoves. You can also email me at info[at]luciekerley.co.uk.

I’ve been overwhelmed by your kindness. The kindness and candidness of complete strangers, Twitter, Instagram and Blogger friends (old and new). School friends, old work colleagues and family members, who each took it upon themselves to go out of their way and compose the most beautiful messages of support to me during this difficult time. Thank you.

It means the world to me to be able to share something so deeply personal, and to know that something good can actually come of sharing life’s difficult moments. Being open and honest is the only way that I’ve been able to deal with this. And having a fantastic support network too, I couldn’t do it without my best friends and family.

I’m humbled to have received such a positive response to what was essentially me pouring my heart out on my blog, in a self-indulgent fashion. I suppose love and heartache is a topic that we can all relate to in some small way. Whether that’s new love, old love, lost love, unrequited love or a continuing search for love. We’ve all been there. And I wish you all the very best with whatever path you currently find yourself on. 

Cherish those who you love. Hold them extra close. 

Tell them what they mean to you.

Never settle for being anyone’s second best, we’re never too old to start all over again, or find happiness in new places.

Things aren’t so bad after all. Chest out, chin up.

Photography © Lucie Kerley

Want to know more about the car….

Find out more about the Peugeot 108 on their website. It comes in the colours purple berry / Zircon grey and Diamond white /Aikinite and has a range of personalisation features available too, if you’re keen on wind-in-the-hair motoring, like to stay connected and want a runabout that delivers on convenience, safety and experience. The Peugeot 108 might just be the little car for you! Prices start from £8,245