‘I couldn’t be happier!’

Wedding bells are in the air for Karen Hegarty from Wales after coming across the magazine by chance, and for whom new love blossomed through her #walk1000miles badge!

How did you come to #walk1000miles?

I picked up a copy of CW someone left on a train!

What was your situation before you met Jonathan?

Single and resigned to staying that way after some hilarious but disastrous forays into online dating!

How did you two connect?

We met just as I was coming to the end of walk 1000 miles – he noticed my badge and asked about it which is what started the conversation. I was ridiculously pleased with myself! We met for a quick coffee in a pub in Much Wenlock and it lasted four hours!

How did things move along?

Our second date was two days later – a freezing walk up the Long Mynd in the snow. He claims he won the snowball fight at the trig point but that’s only because I had so many layers on I could could barely bend down to pick up the snow.

How’s it going now?

Exactly one year after that walk he asked to marry him. We’ve set the date for December and I couldn’t be happier.

What do you really like about him?

His height (6ft 5in), his humour, the fact that he’s Welsh like me, our love of rugby, his eyes, his caring nature, his intelligence – I’ll stop because if he reads this he’ll think I like him.

What does he need to work on before the big day though?

His bearnaise sauce is rubbish. And he’s still toast if George North knocks on my door.

Why do walkers make the best partners?

Because walking makes you happy and gives you a different perspective on life. The little voice I used to have in my head that says ‘you can’t’ has been switched off. Now all I hear is ‘Just go for it’. And we are!