I started walking the Saxon Shore Way in October 2020, one day a week, along my local Kent coastline. Having enjoyed it so much, I thought “Why stop?”. I decided to follow my heart rather than my head, take early retirement, and make it a coastal walk round Britain, in stages. I am currently hiking for five days, followed by nine days at home.

Several people have asked if I am worried about hiking alone, especially when I get to the more remote areas. With the right preparation, I think the UK coastline is relatively low risk. More important, having turned 60 in July: “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.“ – Marcus Aurelius.

So off I go, in the fine words of old Bilbo, “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door. You step into the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.”