WHY WALK?

This blog is a expanded version of what appears on our Why? page on the website unlikelypilgrims.org

Picture Credit: Pilgrim's Way sign, by TP Holland

The idea to walk the Pilgrims Way, from Winchester to Canterbury, was mine (Matt) but Phil did not need much persuading to join me in the challenge.

Historically, I had not done a great deal of walking in the first 40 plus years of my life. The only exceptions were the odd Sunday morning stroll, dog walking and trips to and from the train station on my daily commute. Similarly to many others, the COVID lockdown meant that daily walks became a more usual occurrence, especially on days when I did not travel into central London for work. However, even these were just a way to get out the house for some fresh air rather than a newfound pastime and often included creating a fantasy adventure to keep my daughter entertained along the way. Things changed for me at the end of 2022.

I had been a self-employed project/facilities manager since about 2006. During the pandemic I went through some upheaval in my personal life which made me start to think more deeply about my career choice and life in general. I eventually realised that I had not been enjoying the more professional side of my work life for some considerable time and was frankly fed up with the “ducking and diving” that I was forced to do for my clients. In my younger years it had been my ambition to make a difference in the world and it dawned on me that what I had been doing had made no lasting impact on anyone, accept for paying the bills, and in fact more often than not had a negative impact on those around me.

In October 2022, circumstances aligned, and I made the decision to make a change in my work life. Shortly after this momentous decision, I had a period of ill health (typically – doesn’t that always happen just before your about to go on holiday or do something non work related you’ve been looking forward too), which, thankfully, I have since recovered from.

In late 2022, I began to go out for more and more walks, which gradually increased in length, and I now hit the trails for hours at a time. I found walking clears my head and allows me to think clearly and without distractions. I am happy both on solo walks, where I just feel totally at ease in my mind, or with friends chatting as we go. it was during one of my solo walks, through a particularly beautiful woodland near where I live, that I began to consider undertaking a long multi-day walk/hike and raising some money for charity.

Why the Pilgrims Way?

Let me begin by saying that I am not a religious person, not that I have any issue with those who are and although my mind tries to rationalise things, I do not pretend to have all the answers. Religion of all forms has always interested me in; learning about the beliefs and history of a particular religion. I do not see this trip as a traditional pilgrimage, however,I am hoping to achieve some personal growth, which I suppose is one of the marks of traditional pilgrimages.

So Why the Pilgrims Way, you might ask, given there are so many long-distance trails in the UK, which offer spectacular locations with stunning views and wildlife? The answer is that it is not one single point but a build of many. The first point lies way back in my time at secondary school, when a certain moustachioed teacher taught my class about the life and assassination of Thomas Becket. That doesn’t mean to suggest that I have been thinking about him for the last 30 years or that I have watched the Richard Burton movie so many times that an obsession has been crystallised. The reality is that I came across his story again whilst researching something I was writing about. As I read the snippet online and recalled the history lessons of my youth, I couldn’t help think that his story had similarities to my own (not as grand or on the same scale, mind you). For King Henry II read my former clients for whom I did their bidding, much as Becket did, and I now wanted to turn my back on that lifestyle and commit to being a better person, as he also did. Mind you, I do not want to make my pals above the law as Becket tried to do for the clergy! Also, I'm really not too keen on being assassinated!

This chance encounter with Becket on the internet, led to me read about the historic pilgrimages to Canterbury from both Winchester and London, which have been going on for centuries and continue still today. It was at this point that the route seemed a good idea to me (let’s hope I still think so as we are walking it!). The rich history of the route, the beautiful churches it passes, and the fact it goes through two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty pretty much sealed the deal plus the fact that you are never too far from civilisation should we have any difficulties as we are both novices at long distance multi day trails.

Having purchased the invaluable Cicerone guide Walking the Pilgrims Way by Leigh Hatts, I discussed the idea with Phil, and he readily agreed to join me in the adventure. although on this fateful day we then went for an 18 mile walk and we were both nursing a couple of blisters and aching a great deal later that evening. Was it still a good idea?

Further inspired by Phil sending me a copy of the excellent novel The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce, we decided to make plans and work out dates. After some minor disagreements over the likely duration of the walk (Phil was more ambitious than me!), we settled for attempting to complete the walk in 7 days. We wanted to set ourselves a challenge but do not want it to be a journey of attrition as it’s important that we can see all the historic trail has to offer rather than walking head down just trying to get from point A to B.

We have called ourselves the “unlikely pilgrims”, not because we are in anyway as unlikely as the eponymous Mr Fry, but because if you had told either one of us, 12 months ago, that we would be attempting this walk we would have laughed and thought the idea crazy.

I hope you will support our progress and most importantly help us raise funds for Parkinson’s UK who do tremendous work supporting those with Parkinson's, a cause very close to both of our hearts, as well as funding research to try and find a cure.

Written by Matt Bees