WHY THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMs?
Why Walk?
The idea to undertake our first 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 during my daily commute. Like it did for many others, the COVID lockdown meant that daily walks became a more usual occurrence. However, even these walks were just a way to get out the house for some fresh air rather than a newfound pastime. 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 realised that I had not enjoyed 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 October 2022, circumstances aligned, and I decided to take a sabbatical from work. Shortly after this momentous decision, I had a period of ill health (typically), 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 have 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. Religion of all forms has always interested me, especially learning about the beliefs and history of a particular religion. I do not see this trip as a traditional pilgrimage, but 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? Part of the answer lies way back in my 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. It’s more that I happened to come across him again whilst researching something I was writing about. As I read the snippet online and further recalled the history lessons of my youth, I couldn’t help think that his story had similarities to my own (but not as grand or on the same scale). 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.
This chance encounter with Becket on the internet, led to me read about the historic pilgrimages to Canterbury from both Winchester and London, which people have been walking for centuries and continue to do so 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. The fact that the trail is never too far from civilisation should you have any difficulties was the final decider, as we are both novices at long distance multi day trails.
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 limbs later that evening. Was it still a good idea?
Further inspired when Phil gifted 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.