‘One of the great benefits of being a single parent is being able to choose where to go on holidays... and how’

The mother road: From Route 66 to Rovaniemi, Barbara McCarthy’s travels with her daughter Romi have created lifelong memories. On the eve of Mother’s Day, she looks back on some of their trips…

Barbara and Romi at Kruger National Park in South Africa

Barbara McCarthy

“You can do it, mama,” I heard my daughter shout from below as I was ascending a rock-climbing route.

We were in Red Rock Canyon, just outside Las Vegas. It was early January; the sky was blue, and Sin City glistened in the winter sun in the valley below us. My daughter is fearless compared to me at her age. But I’m happy challenging myself in my advancing years.