I have done some long walks before, the South West Coast Path, the Cotswold Way, and the South Downs Way, so while not filled with trepidation at the thought of a 200 mile trek, I am very aware that I need to be fit, uninjured and mentally up for the challenge. I know how to walk and have been doing 10000 steps a day most days so instead of distance walking I’ve been swimming 4 days a week which is about 3 hours in the pool. Totton Health & Leisure now operates a Covid safe system where you book your swim times and keep your distance from other swimmers. I’ve found that a steady breast stroke round and round the pool is perfect for general bodily fitness, protecting against injury and, most importantly, keeping mentally well. It’s a floating meditation and I always finish with a feeling of wellbeing.
So, three weeks to go, and my main worry is how many people will sponsor me and how much I can raise. I can’t do much about that, so I’m going to stop thinking about it and think about the reasons why I want to do this instead. Apart from the obvious one of raising money for a really worthwhile cause, of course.
People have probably always gone on pilgrimages ( and still do, of course). Wikipedia says this, ‘A pilgrimage is a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about their self, others, nature, or a higher good, through the experience. It can lead to a personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to their daily life.’
I couldn’t put it better myself. Let’s see what happens!
Sanctuary Church at St Mary's 