h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi

I thought I would drop by, since our paths have been crossing a bit. I really did not mean to scare anyone today...

Tell me more about the WHW - I have been wanting to do a long walk for a while (which is a laugh given my complete levels of unfit-ness). Bizzarely, this goes back to reading L0TR a million years ago, and wondering what it was like to do a journey on foot. A real, proper, long-distance journey. I didn't do it for years for a whole number of reasons, but I think I am going to tackle either the South Downs Way or the Ridgeway next spring (work permitting).

So - 'life-changing'? How so?

Ben

Oooops! sorry ben I dont usually sheck "my space" apart from to check relies to threads.

Well the the WHW. I think I meant it was life changing in the sense that I'd never had an "adventure" like this before, it made me realise that I could do something long and arduos (in a physical sense as my PhD could be constued inthe same way)and enjoy it. It also gave me a lot of time to think about who I am and where I want to go in life, giving me that "I can do anything" feeling.

I think that somes it up, but not quite, there was something deeper as well, because my ansestors used to live in the land the walk goes through and it was kind of spiritual (god I sound american!).

It also made me realise that kind of long distance walk was common place for people as little as 100years ago.

Long distance walking itself is quite taxing, walking 15-20 miles a day with a 20 Kg pack on your back is not always fun.Belive me at some points, especially the first couple of days, you just want to give up and you will get awful blisters (my pinky toes were both entirly a blister, I literally had to cut all the skin off them!)

Saying that some of the climbs and the unbelivable views make it all worth while. It also gives you a new perspective on distance, i dont think I'll ever moan about the shops being a long walk away again (belive me I now think 7 miles is no distance at all to walk, i'll only take an hour or two).

My advice is get out and do it, you dont need to be fit (it helps though)if its a long walk you will be fit by the end (I lost 1/2 a stone my mate lost 1 stone). I'm just waiting for an excuse to do it again

later-

Ali

All good advice, which I will take to heart. I think I will start with an easy one. I had thought of the South Downs way, but there have been a lot of attacks on women in Sussex and Surrey this year, which has put me off considerably. Maybe the Ridgeway, or maybe the Thames Path, which has the advantage, by definition, of being flat and gently down hill.

B