Who Are We? The Honest Story Behind Rusty Meadow

We thought as we head into our second season it was about time we properly introduced ourselves. Especially if you're new here.

We are the Phenix family. Nikki, Ian, Laanii and Raif. We love to camp and we love to travel. The kids have been camping since they were babies. It's just what we do.

In 2021 we did something a bit mad. We deregistered the kids from school, hitched our caravan Suzy to our van Vinny and drove across Europe for three years. Twenty three countries. Hundreds of campsites. Some brilliant, some not so much, but every single one of them taught us something about what makes a campsite genuinely good rather than just functional.

We travelled under the banner Life In A Can as a full time worldschooling family. We wrote a book about it, Wanderlust Calling, which you can find on Amazon. We ended up in newspapers, magazines, podcasts and on This Morning. It was the life changing adventure we hoped it would be

We always knew we wanted our own campsite one day. Simple camping was always our vibe. Nice simple camping, done properly, with thought behind it.

In 2023 we bought a renovation place with land in Bulgaria with the plan to open our campsite there by 2025. Then in 2024 Ian was diagnosed with incurable Lymphoma. We came home to the Isle of Wight so he could start treatment, which he is still on to this day.

So the Bulgaria plan ended. And Rusty Meadow began.

The land here has been in the family for over 25 years. It used to graze horses when Nikki competed, and more recently it's been home to sheep. You'll still see Senior Management, Dilly and Volley, up in the top paddocks. They don't need all the grass we have, it turns out.

Nikki, Laanii and Raif were all born on the Island. We've always kept the family home in Godshill even when we were travelling. This place has always been home.

Ian was an ultra runner and double Ironman triathlete. He can't do any of that right now. Building something that keeps the outdoors, adventure and that endurance spirit at the heart of what we do every day is how we stay connected to that world while he focuses on his health. You might catch him watering trees or emptying the bins on a good day. He's still very much here.

Rusty Meadow runs under the umbrella of Rusty Rails Farm CIC. In the future we hope to develop more wellbeing based things here too, because Nikki has a therapeutic background and this land has a lot more to give.

We also do our bit for the local community through the space we have. Free respite camping breaks for families who need it. Because not everyone gets the same start and everyone deserves a field and a firepit.

We've loved every minute of bringing this place to life and we hope you do too.

Simple camping is not for everyone. No frills, no fuss, chilled camping with a few lovely extras thrown in. If that's your vibe, our little meadow might be just what you need.

We really hope to see you soon.

Nikki, Ian, Laanii and Raif