The Proclaimers famously predicted this challenge when they pledged to walk 500 miles and 500 more – and now we’re pretty sure they really are soothsayers, because we’ve received a genuine (and really beautiful) letter from America! Find out how a chance discovery of Country Walking at Gatwick Airport has turned into a love affair with UK walking for William and Candy from sunny Cali-for-ni-ay.
Dear Country Walking,
We first met a couple of years back at a WH Smith bookshop at Gatwick Airport. There you were, a glossy, large format magazine. What a find! We have been steady friends ever since. My wife and I were returning to our home in California from an enjoyable inn to inn walking excursion through the Cotswolds. On the flight home it was fun to pore through all the articles, readers’ experiences, reviews, and route descriptions.
I subscribed and now look forward to the monthly edition arriving, scouring the pages for inspiration. Last year we used a company advertised for a fantastic inn to inn walk through the entrancing Yorkshire Dales.
My wife loved the idea of #walk1000miles, so she signed up and started tracking her miles on 1 January 2024. Most of our walks explore the trails of our local neighborhoods, rivers, woods, and mountains in California. But the UK kept drawing us back and in September we returned again top do the West Highland Way.
On our third day, a challenging rocky section from Rowardennan, she accomplished her 1000 mile mark, almost coinciding with her 65th birthday! At the end of the day, I surprised her with the medal that I’d previously ordered, while we waited for the ferry to cross Loch Lomond from Ardleish to Ardlui for our stay that night. We raised a couple of well deserved celebratory pints that night.
Keep up the good work with the magazine, encouraging all of us to get out and walk, clear our minds, enjoy the environment all around us, and of course also get fit. Now my wife is challenging herself to reach 1500 miles by 31 December and is planning another inn to inn walk in the UK for next year!
William (66) & Candy Flink (65), Sacramento, California
