A man from Kirk Michael is taking a dream trip across Canada in a camper van in memory of his late wife.

Alan Hess, lost his wife last year to cancer and the trip had been a dream which they had planned to fulfil together.

And now Alan has shipped his Manx registration camper van to Canada by freight ship from Liverpool to drive.

He said: ’Over the past few weeks, I have driven it alone to the Rocky Mountains and am now going on to the Yukon.

’I’ve been approached by amazed and excited bikers everywhere I’ve been.

’I’ve had loads of enthusiastic bikers giving me waves and thumbs up along the way. Amazing that they recognize the Manx plates.

’One biker asked to shelter with me from a rain storm in Ontario and was amazed to discover he’d climbed into a Manx reg van.’

Alan was born in Birmingham but lived on the island for many years before he left to teach English and music in Switzerland for 12 years.

He is crossing Canada to visit family in British Columbia and then will then travel back again over three months

Alan continued: ’Sadly I lost my wife to cancer last year and retired back to Kirk Michael to be with family.

’The epic Canada trip was a dream of both my dear wife and I, so I decided to go for it alone in her honour.

’She always wanted to see the northern lights and hence I’m travelling up to the Yukon before returning to Nova Scotia for the return shipping to Liverpool.

’We had travelled a lot of Europe in the Swiss LHD camper van (now Manx registered) despite her serious illness.

’I have had a chance to join some traditional music sessions on the way, as I have done sometimes on the island.

’I was sitting in a pub enjoying some seafood, when in stroll the musicians and notice my Isle of Man T-Shirt.

’It’s interesting that many of the tunes were known to me but that the locals had different titles for them.

’The town of Digby nearby claims to produce the best scallops in the world. They, like the Isle of Man, have a massive tidal difference which produces the favourable growing conditions. I told them they were good and that the Queenie fishermen back home need to keep an eye on them.’

’I’m wondering if this is the furthest away from home Manx camper van yet or maybe a reader can beat me?’

You can follow Alan’s travels on Facebook via www.facebook.com/smallhomebiggarden

Alan Hess joins in on his accordion with local musicians in Annapolis Royal, Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia