After 365 days of my walk 2,018 mile challenge in support of the Trussell Trust I have covered 2,230 miles with over 257,000 feet of ascent. Most importantly, through the generosity of other I have so far raised £2,134 + £450 gift aid = £2,584 for the Trussell Trust. You can donate to my fundraising event on JUST GIVING.
In November I spent most of the month walking in Wiltshire, but did have a week on Exmoor and Quantock Hills where I reached my 2,018 miles target.
During October I spent a week walking stretches of the Kennet & Avon canal and the Mendip Hills before returning to south Wiltshire.
In September I walked the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne a total of 121 miles in six days and clocked up more more in South Wiltshire.
In early August I was at home walking around Wiltshire. I also managed to clock up miles on the Purbeck Hills and realised a long-term aim to walk the 27 mile Clarendon Way walk between Salisbury Cathedral and Winchester Cathedral. We then spent two weeks walking in the Chiltern Hills before returning back home to Wiltshire.
In early July I was back in Wiltshire for a short stay before heading off again in the caravan for a trip to Oswestry walking on the Shropshire / Welsh border. After couple of weeks away I returned to Wiltshire to walk familiar routes again.
During June I was mainly walking in the Yorkshire Dales and the Peak District.
At the end of May we were walking in Swaledale and the weather was been ideal for some good long treks in some beautiful countryside.
In the middle of May the sun finally got his hat on so walking conditions improved. We headed off in the caravan to West Yorkshire and did some wonderful walking on the moors.
Early April was wet and miserable walking conditions in Wiltshire. The footpaths were boggy and after a while walking through thick mud every day became a bit tedious. But the sun finally emerged and the ground dried out. I was even able to sneak away for a few days serious walking on the Quantock Hills and Exmoor.
During January and February most of my walking was in Wiltshire over familiar footpaths. In March we had three weeks in the Cambridgeshire Fens and north Suffolk, it was cold but great to walk and explore parts of the country we have not previously visited.
Why I am undertaking the 2,018 Mile Challenge
I have never been one for making New Year resolutions. If you are intending to start or stop something I can see no point in doing it on the first day of the year. However, taking on a new challenge is something different!
This website is all about walking and caravanning, rather oddly for a man who loves a spreadsheet I have not previously kept a record of the distance I walk. So when, over Christmas, I saw the stream of people signing up to take part in the Walk 1000 Mile Challenge I considered adding my name to the list. But 1,000 miles works out to be less than three miles a day and I know that I already walk that on my daily walk with the dogs.
This would not be a challenge for me, so what are the options? Obviously it needs to be achievable and also a test. Whilst I enjoy long walks, it is not practicable for me to devote the time everyday to trek 10 miles. Whilst semi-retired I still have commitments that restrict my walking time and during the winter months the limited day light makes fitting in a long walk far more difficult.
Finally I arrived at a figure of 2,000 miles, after announcing this on social media someone helpfully suggested it would be good if I added another 18 miles and walked 2,018 miles in 2018.
It was our daughter, Lolly, who suggested I raise money for a charity at the same time as undertaking the challenge. For many years we have supported the Trussell Trust. This Salisbury based national charity makes a real difference to those within our society living in poverty and has a network of foodbanks.
I usually walk at around 3 miles per hour, equating to nearly 700 hours walking and 2,018 miles is close to walking from Land’s End to John o’Groats and then back again! I think this ticks the box as being a challenge!
To manage the fundraising I have set up a JustGiving Page and donating through this site means the money goes direct to Trussell Trust. A big thank you for all those who have generously supported my efforts
My progress can be followed here and on social media, on Twitter (@2DogsAwning) and Facebook (@TwoDogsandanAwning).
Woah! 2018 mile challenge?! I totally love this resolution! Maybe I’ll consider that this coming year and try to achieve something close to that. It’s really a great idea and I love it.