Western Daily Press (Saturday)
David’s off to the pub as he trains for 630-mile coastal trek
AS far as regular exercise routines are concerned, walking to the pub must be among the most pleasurable.
But hiker David Freestone makes sure he earns his pint with 10-mile round trips to his “local”.
And it is all in a good cause as he is in training for a 630-mile trek around the famous South West Coast Path from Minehead to Poole to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).
He walks from his rural Somerset home to the Alhampton Inn, in Alhampton, two to three times a week.
“I’ve been training a lot,” he said. “The pub is five miles away and does great ales. I make sure to reward myself with a pint.”
Retired consultant David, a father of three and grandfather, is no stranger to trekking having developed a love of walking after he retired.
David said: “Starting to walk as a hobby was to find meaning and purpose to life without the distraction of work and the modern world.”
This is not the first walking challenge David has undertaken.
Almost six years ago he took on the Camino Frances, a 550-mile trek from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France across the north of Spain to Finisterre via Santiago de Compostela. The walk is also widely known as “The Way”.
With 8kg of possessions on his back, including a 1kg ukulele, he set off on his solo challenge, quickly meeting other like-minded souls along the route, staying in “albergues” (hostels) along the way.
“Surprisingly, after only one week, walking and talking with many wonderful people from all over the world and with a boot full of blisters, I could answer the core of my question, ‘Why?,” said David.
“The answer was clear. To appreciate everything I have and how little I need.”
After reaching Santiago de Compostela, normally the end of The Camino, David decided to continue for a further three days to Finisterre – known as “the end of the earth”.
Since The Way, David has completed numerous other walks, including the Primitivo, the Portuguese
Camino and the Portuguese Fishermen’s Trail.
David said: “During the walk I learnt to play the ukulele. I now also write songs and play the guitar, under the name David Coda.
“The uke is with me on every walk, long or short and is great to play while walking or just chilling out with fellow hikers, amigos, backpackers, pilgrims and peregrinos.”
David went on to complete a number of Caminos over the next few years along with walking the Jurassic Coast.
But his South West trek, which will also take in the whole of the Cornish Celtic Way, is his first for charity.
He will be camping in his tent along the route, which he expects will take around six weeks to complete.
“The children’s hospice is so embedded in the South West, that walking the coastal path just goes hand in hand,” he said.
“I’ve had a wonderful life which I am exceptionally grateful for and CHSW helps young people make the most of their short and precious lives. It’s such a stark contrast and that’s why I wanted to fundraise for the charity on this walk.”
David has set up a Just Giving page for anyone wanting to donate and has already raised more than £700.
Anyone wanting to donate can do so at www.justgiving.com/page/thechildren-davidsouthwest630
CHSW area fundraiser Kylie Gallagher said: “We are delighted to have David taking on this incredible personal challenge on our behalf and are looking forward to welcoming him on a tour of Charlton Farm ahead of his walk to see first-hand the difference his fundraising will make to local families we support.”