In common with many other people the COVID pandemic led me to rediscover walking. Having never driven, I have walked out of necessity as an adult or enjoyed pleasant strolls with my family as a child on holiday. Playing football and basketball, watching sport and the myriads of other trivial activities associated with my twenties, then facing actual responsibility in my 30’s had prevented any likelihood of serious rambling.
Tentative first steps
Nevertheless, it had always intrigued me: seeing long distance walking markers, catching a glimpse of a footpath snaking through the trees or people resting with rucksacks outside pubs seemed enticing new world. In 2021, finding myself with unexpected time on my hands and with football still mainly off limits, I tentatively embarked on a few walks in London. They relieved stress and I enjoyed exploring some new areas, but my wanderings tended to be aimless, and I had no walking boots, or indeed any approprite kit.
From jeans and a puffa jacket to waterproof trousers and boots
I began walking properly on the Kent coast, an area very familiar to me. I had no real idea of how far I might be able to walk but soon discovered I covered the 6-7 miles from Westgate to Broadstairs in a couple of hours. I also found that wearing jeans and a puffa jacket was far from ideal, as I arrived at my destination drenched in sweat.
Buying actual walking clothes and boots was the kind of rubicon I was reluctant to cross. I had always associated proper ramblers with potholing, climbing and other outdoor activities that I perceived as terrifying. Even in my forties an inability to read maps, use a safety harness or confidently gain direction by compass or starlight gave me an inferiority complex about the great outdoors. I dreaded having to field questions on rucksacks or bivouacs from enthusiastic ex-public school boys who had walked the Andes or Himalayas. (Too many Jeeves and Wooster novels as a teenager perhaps!)
However, by Easter 2022 I felt ready to try walking recreationally and finally bought some waterproof trousers and boots. The next problem was where to walk?
Crayford to Windsor
I played it safe at first, walking the Thames path in stages from Crayford to Windsor, and some short walks in the beautiful Darenth valley, with detailed written instructions. Clear signs and having a huge river in sight helped build my confidence, so I embarked on the North Downs way, then many other point to point and circular walks.
Initially I was terrified of getting lost. I bought guides and maps but took frequent wrong turnings, misread instructions or just didn’t concentrate and walked too far. However, I soon discovered that 99% of the time this doesn’t matter in SE England; as long as you are dressed warmly enough (waterproof layers a must), have sufficient water and don’t panic, you will find your way in the end. You also build up confidence in following and adapting your own routes. I enjoy a 6-7 mile walk and sometimes up to 14-15 miles but it’s pretty straightforward once you have an understanding of a particular area and its routes.
Adventures and encounters
I have had some (in hindsight) humorous episodes. Inadvertently letting a flock of sheep out of a field, getting lost in a paintball course (thankfully closed), getting chased by a farm dog after a wrong turning, being trapped by a bull in between fields for a chastening thirty minutes and many more.
Most fellow walkers are also not the braying bores of my imagination but are generally a friendly bunch. Many of them are no more experienced than you or I, and if they are it’s nice to fall into step with them and get ideas from their travels.
From London to the South Downs
Moving to Sussex has given me readier access to the South Downs and Ashdown forest, although I confess to missing some of the urban/semi-rural walks on the outskirts of London. (The London Loop and Capital ring especially).
I have found the Saturday Walkers club website an invaluable source of ideas, with instructions, maps and travel tips all easily downloadable, so would recommend them if you are starting out.
Future challenges
I still haven’t camped or finished a long-distance route (other than the North Downs way) but definitely count myself as a walker and would wholeheartedly recommend it. It’s given me an appreciation of the geography of the Southeast, I’ve seen churches, ruined castles and prehistoric remains that I would have never have discovered and, although it’s a cliché, you do get a fantastic sense of achievement from completing a planned route.
Lastly, it’s great exercise and is undoubtably a fillip for your mental health. You don’t need to be Bear Grylls or super fit to begin, and with a bit of planning you don’t need a car!
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO OUR CROWDFUNDER
HELP US BECOME STRONGER SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO DELIVER POWERFUL CITIZEN JOURNALISM!
