Day of Realisation

30 March 1999 – Hayling Island

I’ve had a revelation!

Since the age of thirteen, I’ve wanted to walk the coast of Britain.  No secret to anyone who knows me – it’s been in the planning stages for twenty years! And that’s where it would have stayed had it not been for the very unhealthy looking bank statement received this morning.

If, as originally envisaged, I’d have saved up to take a year off for my walk, I would have had so many other things to organise – giving up my job, accommodation, etc. Putting furniture into storage. Buying a tent and gas bottle – eek!

However, things have changed. I no longer have to do anything – except walk.

I’m going to do it in stages – no need to buy dozens of Ordnance Survey maps in one go.  I’m going to do my walk at snail’s pace.  And, if it takes me twenty years, who cares?  As my Dad once said, the only person putting time constraints and pressures on myself is me.

I shall start in the first week of August – I’ve already got two days’ walking planned with my ten year old nephew, Nicholas. What better start could I have?