Where the path began
My desire to follow a path or trail into the woods is something I can remember having from an early age.
If I could see a trail leading off into a wooded, rocky, muddy place I wanted to follow it to see it where it led and what was around the corner. If it was narrow and involved hopping over rocks, climbing fallen trees or twisting trails winding amongst moss covered trees even better, that magic has stayed with me ever since.
Today it is this that still moves me and has me pulling on my boots to find places only accessible by foot, away from crowds, to the stillness of the hills, valleys and mountains.
A lifelong love of wild places
My love of the wild beauty of places was always encouraged by my talented rock-climbing Dad and outdoor loving Mum. The Lake District being the place that captured my imagination from a young age and where my heart feels it’s found its geographical soul mate.
Over the years the desire to explore has led me to some of the most beautiful trails in different parts of the world. Places where I have walked in wonder and stood in complete awe. I hope these pages help to capture it – and encourage the absolute sense of freedom and adventure that comes with solo long-distance walking.
The first long-distance walk
It wasn’t until I was 40 that I completed my first multi day walk. With the encouragement of my family and my two wonderful daughters I solo walked the Coast to Coast from one side of England to the other.
I learnt so much on this walk about navigation, solo walking, equipment, what to pack, what I should have unpacked, safety, the nerves at the start, distances, the joy in it and how it felt to wake each day and repeat. I knew even before reaching the end that I didn’t want it to end and I was finding and planning my next one before I turned the final corner.
This blog began to keep my family posted while I was off walking – if I was out of range it was both a way to chat to them and a journal for me to capture each day and stage. Writing it became a pleasure at the end of the day.
Planning the walks, deciding the route, booking the accommodation and learning the trail is as enjoyable and rewarding as the walking for me. For every walk I have planned, reading the blogs of other walkers has been an invaluable tool to help me plan my distances, my routes and my stays. This preparation has been crucial in building my confidence. I hope this blog can do that for other walkers looking to head out on these trails, especially a walker considering doing it outside of a group and going it solo.
I hope this gives encouragement and captures the possibility, independence, freedom, stillness, adventure, peace and contentment of doing so.
