Real Life My 20,000 Mile Challenge
On January 14, 2019, I put my rucksack on my back, said goodbye to my husband and set off on a 20,000 mile walk around the coastline of the UK and Ireland.
I’ve now walked 6,500 miles along the coast of Wales, Northern Ireland, Eire, Isle of Man, Isle of Anglesey, over 20 Hebridean islands, Skye, Orkney, Shetland and long stretches of the Scottish coast and raised £61,500 for Alzheimer’s Research UK, a cause that’s very close to my heart.
My parents-in-law were both affected by different forms of dementia and, in 2017, I walked from John o’ Groats to Land’s End to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK. As I walked through the middle of the UK, I decided that, next time, I’d take the coastal route – and
homes and, by the time I set off the next morning, I often felt as though I’d known them forever.
Too many of these new friends have been affected by Alzheimer’s. They know how debilitating this terrible illness is, how terribly sad it is when a loved one fails to recognise you or can no longer communicate. That’s why they wanted to help, perhaps by walking alongside me, giving me a sandwich, or making a donation.
As winter arrived, I reached Scotland, where I explored the south-west coastline and went island hopping around the Hebrides before returning to the stunning north-west coast of Scotland. Next, I went to Orkney, where again, everyone just wanted to help.
“On my travels, I’ve found that people are essentially very kind”
There’s so much bad news around but, time and time again, I’ve found that people are essentially very kind.
Of course, I’ve had my share of terrible days. I’ve slept in a toilet because the wind would have blown my tent away. I’ve eaten my lunch sitting in a ditch in the pouring rain, soaked through. And there have been very long nights when the weather’s hideous, I’ve not spoken to anyone all day, I’ve no phone signal and I’m trying to sleep in a soggy tent.
But when I get up the next morning, it’s a wonderful new day. I’m really lucky to be healthy enough to undertake this challenge, to have all these wonderful people helping me, to be able to stroll through beautiful places and enjoy this incredible sense of freedom.
However, in March, with 13,500 miles to go, coronavirus brought my walk to a sudden halt.
I was in Shetland, almost one third of the way through, when it became clear that coronavirus was heading to the UK. I knew I couldn’t continue. It was time to go home.
After taking the ferry to Aberdeen, a relay team of people I’d met during my walk transported me across country until, four and a half days later, I returned home to my husband just in time for lockdown.
I’m now waiting patiently for the go-ahead to resume