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Original poster

I just walked the entire South West Coast Path

126 replies

babybluefish · 31/10/2023 07:46

For four years I had been slowly losing myself in the fog of menopausal rage, anxiety, insomnia and weight gain.

My bedside drawer was filling with remedies and supplements that did little to ease my symptoms.

Walking was the only thing that kept me on the right side of sanity, and quite possibly of prison.

From July to October I walked alone the 630 mile South West Coast Path.

AMA

OP posts:
allsfairin · 31/10/2023 07:47

sounds lovely! How did you get the time?

Labradoodlie · 31/10/2023 07:48

No questions, but it sounds flipping amazing. Well done!

Onthelongroad · 31/10/2023 07:49

What an amazing thing to do. Do you work? If so, how did you manage to get so much time off?

Newgirls · 31/10/2023 07:49

Were you inspired by salt path? Where did you stay? It sounds a fab thing to do!

Onthelongroad · 31/10/2023 07:50

Also, was it expensive? Did you camp or stay in hotels? I’m not sure I could camp for that length of time, but it must be very expensive to stay somewhere every night.

CrapBucket · 31/10/2023 07:51

Congratulations, sounds epic. Did you keep in touch with people much? Or sort of go in on yourself? How do you feel now?

DustyLee123 · 31/10/2023 07:51

Well done you !
How many miles did you do a day ? Did you do it in one chunk, or break it up ?

Original poster
babybluefish · 31/10/2023 07:52

I retired early from the ambulance service after breaking my shoulder trying to triple sulko on ice when I was 52.
So I could be flexible with time, and my other work is winter seasonal work.

OP posts:
PauliesWalnuts · 31/10/2023 07:53

Amazing achievement - congratulations! I’m dithering about the Cleveland Way. My question is - what were your good and bad bits?

PauliesWalnuts · 31/10/2023 07:54

Oh, and what’s your next trip/ambition (if you have one).

0rchid · 31/10/2023 07:54

I am thinking of doing the South Downs Way. Want to join me? Smile

0rchid · 31/10/2023 07:55

Oh and where did you stay? Tent or b and bs?

Littlelucas · 31/10/2023 07:55

How long did you walk for each day?

Was it all pre-planned (ie b&bs ) beforehand?

DustyLee123 · 31/10/2023 07:55

It’s in my list to do the Coast to Coast

0rchid · 31/10/2023 07:56

How many hours/miles per day?

RaininginDarling · 31/10/2023 08:02

Congratulations! This is very much on my bucket list. I've done parts of it.

Same questions as others: was it expensive and did you camp? Also, which segment was most demanding and also what was you favourite bit? And how many miles were you clocking on average per day? Did you have many rest days?
Well done again. A fantastic achievement!

Original poster
babybluefish · 31/10/2023 08:03

Newgirls · 31/10/2023 07:49

Were you inspired by salt path? Where did you stay? It sounds a fab thing to do!

I was inspired 30 years ago by a very funny book by Mark Wallington called 500 mile walkies.

I attempted to walk the path at that time, but along with a heavy pack I was also carrying a two year old.

It was doomed to failure!

I did read the Salt Path before I walked again, and it certainly re-ignited my determination to try once more.

I wrote my own book of my walk while laying in my sleeping bag each night.

I camped in my pyramid shaped tarp tent.

Mostly on campsites but also wild camping.

I also spent one night in a thrilling Fawlty Towers hotel in Torquay, one night in an Airbnb run by a strict German lady with even stricter rules, two nights in people's gardens, and three nights in hostels.

OP posts:
lljkk · 31/10/2023 08:04

Did you haul all your own stuff, camp & tell people you were adventuring not homeless?

Original poster
babybluefish · 31/10/2023 08:07

Onthelongroad · 31/10/2023 07:50

Also, was it expensive? Did you camp or stay in hotels? I’m not sure I could camp for that length of time, but it must be very expensive to stay somewhere every night.

I was on the path for 73 days and the usual cost for a campsite pitch was between 10-15 pounds.

Wild camping was free but I appreciated an occasional non salty shower, fresh water, and electricity.

I would say that I spent an average of 30 pounds each day including camping.

This was mainly because of my growing addiction to cooked breakfasts and real ale.

OP posts:
dicedicebaby · 31/10/2023 08:08

Sounds fabulous. Did you ever get lonely? I like to chat as I walk, makes the miles go quicker 😊

disappearingfish · 31/10/2023 08:09

So jealous. If I had known I would have offered you a bed, a shower and a beer when you passed by my Cornish town

Newgirls · 31/10/2023 08:09

73 days! What an adventure

DisplayPurposesOnly · 31/10/2023 08:11

Well done!

Original poster
babybluefish · 31/10/2023 08:11

PauliesWalnuts · 31/10/2023 07:53

Amazing achievement - congratulations! I’m dithering about the Cleveland Way. My question is - what were your good and bad bits?

Oooh great question! I think the best bits were the whole "living in the moment" experience.

I also met so many people who encouraged me, inspired me and who made me cry with laughter.

My anxiety and hot flushes completely lifted and I felt the delicious madness of the lone long distance walker combined with the delicious madness of a menopausal woman.

Worst bits were definitely the weather and the challenges of keeping myself and my kit dry.

It was a summer of quite severe storms.

OP posts:
Saladgoatcheese · 31/10/2023 08:13

That sounds amazing OP. I’d love to do an epic walk like that but I’d be scared of running into an axe murderer on the way. Did you have any scary moments?