Happy New Year! – 2 months to go!

Happy New Year, I hope it is filled with lots of Adventure! 🗻🥾

It’s just two months until I set off on my walk. It’s incredibly exciting, but slightly terrifying, as I remember how much preparation there is to go!

Today I ticked off one big job, and finished drawing my entire route onto physical maps. A total of 46 maps! I love the tactile nature and beauty of paper maps. It will be exciting to receive them and post them back home whilst I’m on the trail. I’ve chosen a mixture of OS maps and Harvey Trail Maps. The Harvey maps cover national trails, fitting segments of the route next to each other, allowing me to cover more distance for less map (and they’re purple, which is an extra bonus 😁). The Pennine Way is covered in two maps!

With two months to go, I’ve been reflecting on how much this challenge means. I feel so grateful to be able to attempt a dream and set myself a goal. There are so many things that I wouldn’t be able to do this challenge without:

• fitness
• funds
• family support – my family always support me in everything that I do. They’ve given me the confidence to take on this challenge, and always cheer me on from the side lines.
• resources
• time off work
• determination
• a childhood of adventure
• the number of people who have taken time to teach me and develop my walking skills – This is an incredible number of people, (mostly in Girlguiding), who have taught me with patience, kindness and understanding.

It feels amazing to say that I am going to do a challenge, because I have chosen to. It’s something that I have wanted to do for 7 years, and I’m making it happen.

I know that this challenge will change my life, and change who I am as a person. I’m so excited for what it will bring. Since deciding to do my walk, I’ve felt more sure in myself and more empowered, it’s already made an impact.

The next two months will be filled with more logistical planning. Most of my accommodation is booked, but I need to plan my parcels and where to get supplies on route. Then continue making dehydrated meals. It’s all coming together, before the final stage – packing!

I hope you had a lovely and peaceful Christmas. I’ll leave you with a picture from my Boxing Day walk over Chrome Hill. It was a beautiful morning walk and reminded me how lucky I am to live in Buxton.