Celebrating 1000+ Miles Walked

On By stuartakenIn Author, Creative Writer, Nature, Photography
  • January 2021

On 1st January this year, my wife, Valerie, and I joined a challenge set by Country Walking Magazine to walk 1,000 miles in 2021. Most of our walks have been in the Forest of Dean starting from our front door. Just occasionally we’ve been able to venture further afield, visiting the Isle of Wight in September and the Yorkshire Dales National Park in October. Today, we completed 1,003.2 miles by taking a 6.2 mile walk from home.
I thought I’d celebrate with a short series of photographs taken during those walks, one for each month. Enjoy!

  • February 2021
  • March 2021
  • April 2021
  • May 2021
  • June 2021
  • July 2021
  • August 2021
  • September 2021, Sandown, Isle of Wight
  • October 2021, Malham, Yorkshire Dales National Park.
  • November 2021
  • December 2021

23 thoughts on “Celebrating 1000+ Miles Walked”

    1. Thanks, Lynette. Some pictures taken on my Nikon, others shot on my iPhone when I didn’t feel like carrying the camera. There are changes afoot in our local area of the forest, with a number of different organisms attacking various different species, so there’s going to be some clear felling soon. It’ll take a while before they replace the diseased trees with saplings, but they intend to make the new areas much more mixed in terms of species, which will be good for the trees and the wildlife.

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        1. Four different species are under threat, so replanting will make some significant changes. It’ll be a few years before those become ‘attractive’ locations again, so, from a selfish point of view, I hope I’m still able to get out there and enjoy them when that happens.

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          1. There is a lot of study in BC on the ancient forest gardens that were cultivated by First Nations people for millennia. The old growth trees act like parents to the younger trees and have a communication system through the roots. It’s fascinating to read about this research and forest connectedness.

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            1. Yes, I’d heard about this communication system via the roots. It makes sense to me. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll discover a way of understanding what is being communicated? There’s also a growing awareness of the value of a similar underground network spread by fungi. Again, perhaps one day we’ll understand what that also can tell us. More reasons to protect our forests and wild places.

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    1. Thanks, Noelle. The advantage for us is living in such a wonderful walking area. A couple of hundred yards from our door we’re in the trees. You’ve done pretty well, too.

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        1. Ah, now there’s the difference. I nearly drowned in local park boating lake when I was 5 years old, so never learned to swim until I joined the RAF at 16. I generally only swim now when overseas and the sun is warm!

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    1. Thanks, Abdoulic. It works out at around 3 miles each day, though some days we walked a shorter distance, and other days we walked much further. It’s so good spiritually for us to wander in the trees.

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  6. Big congratulations to you both that is quite an accomplishment my friends. I have been on vacation in Seattle and now on the Oregon coast so not very active on line. Have to send you both a big hug. Hugs 🤗 Stuart and Valerie. ❤️🤗

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      1. Still in Oregon. We are visiting my husband’s dad now. He lost his wife this past year. He is in his eighties and not in the best health. So this time is precious. Love to you both my friend. ❤️🤗

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        1. That’s sad, Joni, but good that you can still visit him. You’re right, time is precious, especially when it comes to visiting those we love who are vulnerable and frail. Safe journey home when you return.

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          1. Thank you Stuart I really appreciate that. It has been a nice visit so far. Scott and his dad will visit some museums today. It is so nice they have this time together. Thank you for your well wishes I definitely appreciate it. Love to you both. ❤️🤗Joni

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