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An Afternoon StrollAn Afternoon Stroll
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An Afternoon Stroll

June - September 2023
A walk. Read more
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  • TravelerAn Afternoon Stroll
    Day 2

    Bath

    June 10, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    It's kinda funny, I thought I'd have more to say before an adventure of this scale. And I do have a hell of a lot I could say; I've had a whole host of conflicting feelings leading up to this. But for simplicity, I won't write about any of that. There's plenty of time for soul searching.

    Anyhow, it's been a funny old end to 4 years in this city. And it only took a mere step out of the front door until confronted with the first controversy of the trip, with us all managing to get locked out of our own house (less of a problem for me albeit) with the door slamming violently to a close after we'd all piled into the front garden for a photo (that'll teach you not to quadruple lock the bloody door Anj). Following some acrobatics via the neighbours to get back in, Anj then waved us off as John and I made haste for Bath Abbey, where a dramatic performance, seen through the giant gaping doors, was drawing to its finale. The photos you see are the painful attempts of me trying to get a picture without drawing attention from the emerging floods of people, haha. In fact, a little under 3 years ago, I stood at the pictured marker, the start point of the 102-mile Cotswold way before attempting my first ever long-distance hike. 1065 days later, I stood there again, this time alone*, facing in the opposite direction and with over 20 times the distance between myself and an aimed destination. Regardless of how far this trip may take me, I've got to say its kinda crazy the different pathways life will take you and I think that's pretty fucking cool. Anyway, with that, we made our final attack on Bathwick Hill, taking our sweet time to sit and soak in the sunset on the ascent. At the top: our destination for the evening: the Library! 🤓 Laugh as you may, I wouldn't have it any other way personally. Ending the university years by doing something just a bit ridiculous with as close a friend as John is exactly the way I'd have it and exactly the right tone to set for the forthcoming adventure :)

    *Edit: not alone, I had John with me    Read more

  • TravelerAn Afternoon Stroll
    1
    1
    Day 2

    Bourton

    June 10, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Day 1 Stats (Total):
    Distance: 49.33 km (54.02 km)
    Steps: 70,626 (77,774)
    Move time: 11h33 (12h43)
    Spend: £0 (£0)

    Well, that was a frantic first day. My thoughts are very scattered, but one thing that I'm yet to work out is how to explain what it is exactly I'm actually aiming to do, to strangers who are quite rightly curious. One dude earlier asked where it was I was heading and I could find him no other explanation than 'to Bournemouth', he raised his eyebrows and said 'wow that really is a long way,' to which I could do nothing but nervously chuckle. Maybe I just can't bring myself to think of all that distance, or maybe because I'm not sure I really believe in myself enough that'll I'll get anywhere close. Anyway, once I'd finally found a place to pitch, I met possibly some of the friendliest people I've met while hiking at all, Claire and Neil, who quickly unravelled my half truths and taught me exactly why I should share my true objective, reacting with real interest and support.

    As for the hiking, what can I say about that? Some easy miles, some less easy ones. I find, even as someone who is usually very stable, my mood can be so changeable while hiking like this, so that's something to manage. Either way, it's going to take a little time to get into the rhythm of this life.    Read more

  • TravelerAn Afternoon Stroll
    2
    Day 3

    Blandford Forum

    June 11, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌧 22 °C

    Day 2 Stats (Total):
    Distance: 35.66 km (89.68 km)
    Steps: 51,055 (128,829)
    Move time: 8h17 (21h00)
    Spend: £4.10 (£4.10)

    I remember as a little kid, being able to go and throw sticks in the local river for our then-dog Balloo to fetch was one of the best adventures life had to offer. Many, many years later, I came to notice the bright blue waymarkers that had been installed along that very same stretch of river: 'the Stour Valley Way' they read. And so naturally, having done my fair share of hiking, I was immediately intrigued. After all, how many people get to enjoy the wonders of a long-distance path passing so close to their house? Today however was a day of two halves; the first of those halves was spent walking along that path, and my god, if the farmers along it aren't praying for your downfall, then the nettles definitely are. So, in short, I wouldn't recommend the Stour Valley Way. Rather, beyond Sturminster Marshall, I managed to hop onto and cruise along the North Dorset Trailway; an esteemed cycle path with trails so flat and smooth that they might just qualify as the autobahn for the hiking elite. Actually originating as the former Dorset-Somerset joint railway, the path took me to Blandford Forum, where I'm pitched in a tiny clearing in what was, otherwise a fairly uneventful day really.Read more

  • TravelerAn Afternoon Stroll
    Day 4

    Bournemouth

    June 12, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Day 3 Stats (Total):
    Distance: 31.01 km (120.69 km)
    Steps: 44,704 (173,533)
    Move time: 7h21 (28h21)
    Spend: £3.00 (£7.10)

    Homecoming.

    Today, I walked home. I used to walk home a lot, but as of late, that seems to be decreasingly often and from increasingly far away. My last time doing so, after completing the coast path a year ago felt like something of a victory, but this time carried a very different feeling, maybe one best described by anticipation. Nonetheless, I was always going to include Bournemouth into this adventure; an adventure I consider strongly to be about identity and staying true to oneself.

    And thanks to Mum and Dad for their unbelievable support btw!    Read more

  • TravelerAn Afternoon Stroll
    Day 5

    New Forest

    June 13, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Day 4 Stats (Total):
    Distance: 30.75 km (151.31 km)
    Steps: 43,823 (217,356)
    Move time: 6h56
    Spend: £0.00 (£7.10)

    Bournemouth to The New Forest

    No, this isn't a photoshoot for @BUMC's biggest power couple, this is still a blog of one man's walk. But today, and oddly last night to meet my parents (the strangest crossover episode since The Simpsons and Family Guy), Ben and Ellie came out to join me across England's newest national park. They must have been questioning their decision to do so early in the day however, as I first dragged them along narrow, turbulent 40mph roads, followed by a thick jungle of overgrown passages. But before long, we emerged onto some more conventional hiking paths, where, despite Ben's best attempts at covering the entirety of The New Forest in a glistening layer of his hayfever-induced mucus, moaning, and nearly losing his sacred trail runners to the mud, we made it to a shady lunch spot. It was here that Ben discovered the wonders of my water filter, and immediately took to guzzling putrid river water with almost alarming eagerness. We then took to some classic forested and moorland sections under beating Hampshire sun, until clocking in with a punchy 30 km for the day. (Then Ben burnt a hole in Ellie's hat)Read more

  • TravelerAn Afternoon Stroll
    1
    Day 6

    Southampton

    June 14, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Day 5 Stats (Total):
    Distance: 31.78 km (183.09 km)
    Steps: 44,797 (262,153)
    Move time: 7h3 (42h20)
    Spend: £14.75 (£21.85)

    After emerging from our tents, Ben, Ellie and I took a dawdle to complete our mission across the New Forest, where we celebrated by getting sloshed at the Anchor, fulfilling Ben's insatiable desire for chips (cheesy chips btw) in the process. Following an obligatory pilgrimage to the golden arches of a McDonalds, Ben & Ellie then said their farewells after a highly enjoyable visit and left me to attack the industrial sprawl of Southampton alone. Shortly after, I found my way to Scott's, where I was dazzled by a tour of his crib and treated not only to the monster munch mug, but also a generous portion of pasta while we had a very fun catch up. Finally, after another urban march, I made my way to Charlie's. And my lord, have I been treated here, with steak, a bed for the night, and the hospitality even a king doesn't deserve (minus the losing at FIFA bit). What an absolute legend btw.

    Huge thanks to Ben & Ellie for joining me and the unreal welcoming from Scott and Charlie!    Read more

  • TravelerAn Afternoon Stroll
    1
    Day 7

    Old Winchester Hill

    June 15, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Day 6 Stats (Total):
    Distance: 31.02 km (214.11 km)
    Steps: 44,555 (306,708)
    Move time: 7h9 (49h29)
    Spend: £2.30 (£24.15)

    Witnessing Charlie take a 6am ice bath was exactly the right way to kick off day 6 of this little adventure (and the way everyone's day should start really), the drive of this man is infectious (even if he does have a huge nose). And after he whipped us up the finest English muffins known to man, I found myself back on the road, this time in the direction of Botley Station, where I had the absolute pleasure of being joined by Ollie for the day. As perhaps may become tradition, I welcomed him to the trek by taking him through thickets of overgrown nettles, which spewed us delightfully out right into the belly of a farmers' courtyard. Luckily enough though, our farming overlord was a forgiving one, and directed us out of their property and back on our way. Despite arguing about how to pronounce quite literally every place name en route, and Ollie enlightening me that the South Downs is actually England's newest national park (and not The New Forest as I stated in a previous post), we made brisk progress, stopping only for tea in Bishop's Waltham and some homebaked chocolate cornflake cakes in a drowsy field. Our voyage then came to its close as Ollie saw me onto the South Downs way, himself continuing on to West Meon. Again, thanks to Ollie for joining me out here!Read more

  • TravelerAn Afternoon Stroll
    Day 8

    Cocking

    June 16, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Day 7 Stats:
    Distance: 35.49 km (249.60 km)
    Steps: 50,975 (357,683),
    Move time: 8h6 (57h35)
    Spend: £0.00 (£24.15)

    Old Winchester Hill to Cocking.

    I might be a mere 7 days into this adventure, but I'm not sure I have feet any more, so much as tender slabs of meat that pound the earth in regular intervals. Or, in their current state, pound the chalky escarpment that continues to undulate towards the iconic coastal Sussex cliffs. I had been enjoying the company the past few days, but today I was back on my lonesome, and that means one thing; only kilometres for breakfast, miles for lunch, and astronomical units for dinner. Ok, that last one might be a bit dramatic, but until about 2 pm today, I'd only walked about 12 km, so it just goes to show that progress is never linear. And on that note, I'm probably overdue saying something a bit nonsensey and 'profound' so read this in your best Brian Cox staring-in-the-middle-distance voice. Some early lessons week one has taught me:
    1) Don't try and be a hero.
    2) Consistency is key.
    3) Don't count the blisters.
    4) You can't put a price on good people.
    5) You are never, ever too good for anything, or anyone.
    6) Take it one step at a time, literally. (One foot in front of a-Cocking-nother)    Read more

  • TravelerAn Afternoon Stroll
    1
    Day 9

    Rackham Hill

    June 17, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Day 8 Stats:
    Distance: 20.69 km (270.29 km)
    Steps: 29,981 (387,666)
    Move time: 5h01 (62h36)
    Spend £18.95 (£43.10)

    'Consistency is key' blah blah yeah whatever, shut up, me. For real, though, today was short but very sweet, being treated to some normal person food with my parents on Father's Day weekend, and spending a few hours away from the trek was a welcome change. Before I could put my feet up for too long, though, I was dumped back on the stoney eastward highway where I came to develop my new favourite pastime, saying hello to the red-faced ultramarathon runners in the humid afternoon air. Anyway, talking of stones, I was joined by a big and beautiful one at Amberley Station. Thomas made the delightful journey out to join me, and we immediately reunited over my second pub meal of the day. With dark clouds looming and lights quickly dying, though, we were forced into a spritely uphill endeavour towards the trees of Rackham Hill, which will serve as our home for the night.Read more

  • TravelerAn Afternoon Stroll
    3
    Day 10

    Blackcap

    June 18, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Day 9 Stats:
    Distance: 38.71 km (309.00 km)
    Steps: 54,724 (442,390)
    Move time: 8h26 (71h02)
    Spend: £0.00 (£43.10)

    Last night was definitely up there with the most tense I've ever felt during a wild camp. Thomas definitely chose an interesting one to join me for. The first sign of unease came with a disturbing distant scream from some flailing creature in the silent black of night. Clearly dragged by a relentless predator, and with its every struggle, the snapping of twigs and violent rustling of leaves became ever louder as it was hauled alarmingly ever closer to our tent. But even the screams quickly became drowned out by the much more real concern. Up until now, evading the weather warnings has very much been a game of smoke and mirrors, but low and behold just as we had camped on the protruding escarpment, a dark, heavy storm rolls in, hurling lashings of rain from above. Perhaps more concerningly, however, was the lightning. Sharp cracks of thunder reverberated with unsettling volume and proximity, resonating through the ground and up into my body with power like I've never felt before and continuing for several hours. Inevitably though, Thomas forgot to bring his foil suit and so we survived the night and enjoyed a productive day hurdling the South Downs hills, surpassing all sorts of settlements in our stride, most notably including Brighton. Sadly (and with few notable catastrophes considering our track record together), Thomas then had to make his exit; his parting gift some Cadbury treats, and his parting mission to navigate an A-road to Hassocks (due to looking at orchids in the most Thomas way imaginable). Plenty of soggy shuffling from me later, and I'm calling it a day at Blackcap. Many, many thanks to the legendary Thomas for his company. I hope this isn't the last that this trip sees of you!Read more

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