Discovering hidden gems along Britain's Coastal Paths

The UK is blessed with spectacular scenery, none better than along its varied coastline. There have been a number of designated coastal paths around the UK for many years, but now they are being joined together and added to as the England Coast Path and the Wales Coast Path (Scotland and Northern Ireland are outside of this).

This web site/blog is an account of our progress as we endeavor to complete our long-term goal of self propelling ourselves around our coastline. I'm hopeful that the contents of this site will interest anyone considering visiting any part of our coast, but mostly anyone who is a newcomer to self-propelled exploration of the coast. You may be young or old (we started this project in our 60s), single or partnered, part of a walking/cycling club or just interested in following us and learning about the history, natural history, geology, geography and going's on along the coastline of Great Britain.

England Coast Path – The Challenge

Introduction

It is Christmas Day 2018 and New Year is fast approaching. This is a time for resolutions, setting challenges and then meeting them.

Betty and I enjoy walking in the English countryside. We started distance walking in earnest when we completed the London Loop. We began that particular walk on Christmas Day some years back and spent the ensuing year or so doing each of the dozen or more 10 to 20 mile legs in no particular order. Since then we have walked in a variety of locations including the Trossachs, Isle of Aran, Pembrokeshire Coast, Dorset, Northumberland, Lake District and Peak District.

We completed the Coast to Coast Path over two sessions separated by 12 months and a bought of Plantar fasciitis to Betty' foot. The latter was a timely reminder that advancing years need to be thrown into the planning mix whenever we consider the next big project. The Coast to Coast was a good challenge, but we always felt we were under the control of other people's idea of a good walk, rather than our own. We don't generally do other people's ideas.

So today we are going to start a new walking/cycling challenge. We are going to walk or cycle the whole of the England Coast Path and probably the Welsh equivalent. No rules, no pre-determined route, no time scale, no particular order, just do it - on foot or by bike.

Betty and I were married by the sea and spent our first day of marital bliss paddling in the English Channel at Bexhill. So it holds a special place in our hearts.

Billy and Betty - married by the sea, wedded to the sea

Sadly a couple of weeks ago, Betty lost her mother, so a walking project will hopefully focus her mind on more positive things over the Christmas break. Betty always stayed in touch with her mum whenever we went on our long distance walks. I recall one such occasion on top of the North Yorkshire Moors. She was talking to her mother on her mobile phone, explaining where we were. The old lady was apparently trying to find our location on an ancient road map, but with little success. The weather was turning and I was growing impatient as sheets of rain came lashing down upon us. I tried to suggest we get under cover somewhere, but Betty was having none of it. Pleasing her mum was much more important than a little bit of rain.

This account is dedicated to Teresa, Betty's mum, hopefully she is following our progress with greater success than she did on the North Yorkshire Moors.