In 2022, we walked Hadrian's wall and found that a long distance footpath leaves you fitter, well-slept and relaxed.
Along the way there are encounters with both human history and natural history - two of my passions.
In the evenings, one is often at a hamlet in the middle of nowhere so there are few distractions from reading, writing and painting. There is time to reflect on the day's discoveries.
It's not entirely stress free. A little thing like sunburn, blisters or a stomach upset could threaten the whole trip. One is obliged to take good care of one's body - a good thing in itself.
When looking for our next footpath, the choice seemed obvious. I'd walked sections of the South Downs Way before and I liked the simplicity of it - high ridges with views, larks climbing into the blue, and the footpath, a white line scored into the chalk soil. It promised freedom.
The South Downs Way is a recent construct rather than an ancient Way, but still, it is composed out of many old paths and drovers ways, and it would allow us a transect through the fascinating villages of southern England.
And all that sky!
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