walk the coastline of Britain

i’ve just joined a rambling club so that’s a start :)

Having walked north and south Cornwall, the Sussex coast (where I grew up) and a tiny part of Norfolk, I wonder whether I’d have the determination to explore those parts that AREN’T wildly beautiful. The Humbersides and crummy bits of Essex..? Perhaps walking while reading the social history of each section would bring the area to life in more dimensions than just the visual. But if it s pretty we’re after, the National Trust (lord bless ‘em) have put together 39 walks from their 700-odd owned miles of coastline; http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-chl/w-countryside_environment/w-coastline/w-seabritain-coastal_walks.htm

this is more of a long term goal, i don’t think it’s going to happen very soon but i would love to do it someday. seems a bit stupid adding to pollution jetting off round the globe when i don’t even know my own country very well. plus i love the sea. and you can get fit doing it too. and raise money for charity. i read a blog of someone who did it once and he reckoned it takes about a year. maybe i’ll start doing it in little bits, e.g. the coast of cornwall this summer.

Not necessarily all at once; it will take about a year! In stages maybe? And maybe out of order?

Wouldn’t this be an excellent retirement project? I’ve always loved the coast and the sea – I grew up in St. Andrews in Scotland. I lived in Cornwall for a while and walked the coast there quite a bit. The coastline in Britain is pretty varied and of course there are towns, cities and ports to negotiate. I know there are a couple of books by people who have done this – I’ve deliberately not read them. I tend not to plan trips—just set off. I would get a map and take my chances!