November 2013 – GB Coast Walk

The response to my lengthy email of 12 days ago has so far been incredibly supportive and if nothing else consistent. Almost every response from family and friends has confirmed my madness but at the same time expressed real encouragement. But undoubtedly I need more help if I am to achieve my quest as I have given myself a real headache in terms of logistics.

Many who have completed this challenge have done it with a very big rucksack and little or no help other than occasional offers of a hot bath and bed. I do not have a military background and have been through two knee operations, so I suspect that the additional weight demands of a full pack might just put this walk out of reach for a while. I can carry 44lbs for a day or two but for me to do so over 10 months would probably mean delaying the project a year as I try to build up any long lost youthful strength. It is an option – but only if my logistical headache cannot be cured.

Hence, I have decided to copy Spud (see links) and see if I can acquire a cheapish secondhand bullet proof motorhome as a roving base camp and get friends, family, vague acquaintances and even complete strangers to come along and meet me at the end of every day. To date I have got 15 volunteers and I am truly thankful for their enthusiasm……..but I still need more before I venture out to beg, borrow or steal a bus. Soooooo……..if you are reading this and fancy sharing in my adventure by spending a week or so in a motorhome then please please – and I really am begging – get in contact.

18th November 2013.

For anyone who knows me, I’m probably not the greatest at making decisions. I’m the type that makes lists, analyses and re-analyses until my brain is completely fried and ready to implode.

For the last couple of years I have dreamed about walking the coast of the British mainland. With time, the dream has grown from a whimsical private thought to a burning obsession that arises in every conversation.

I have read many books and blogs. I have researched kit and routes with the dedication of a true nerd. I have constantly chewed over the impact on my family. I have worried about my physical ability. And I regularly suffer from self-doubt with added fear of apathy and lack of mental fortitude. But for once in my life I think my heart has ruled my head and the easy excuses of lack of time and money have been snatched away thanks to “early retirement” from my long-term employer. So maybe it’s time to just shut up, stop rambling incoherently and get on with actually doing something a little bit different and hopefully worthwhile.

Hence at 9:15 am – then again at 7:15pm and once more at 8:15pm – I committed to everyone in my contact list that I was going to do it. After a couple of hours tapping away at the keyboard a long-winded email winged its way out to over 120 people……most of whom now think I have completely lost the plot!