Category: England

Clock Change Goggins Challenge, October 2025

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We did it!
Thirteen runs, four miles, every four hours for 48 hours: one extra run this time because of the clock change. It was my second Goggins Challenge, and Neil’s first full one (but he’d already ran 8 out of 12 runs with me back in May so he knew what he was getting in).

Compared to the one in May, this one was colder, darker, muddier, and mentally harder. Nine of the thirteen runs were in the dark, and the temperature dropped to around 2 to 3°C overnight. The first two runs were in pouring rain.
But it was also one of the most memorable weekends, thanks to the people who joined, the community that cheered us on, and the cause we ran for.

💜 Running for Hope

Neil and I organised and completed this challenge as a self-supported fundraiser in aid of The Lily Foundation, which supports families affected by mitochondrial disease, who are facing challenges most of us will never fully understand. We ran it for #TeamHope. In honour of Hope, our friend Caroline’s daughter, and for all the children like her living with this rare condition.

Together, so far we’ve raised £957, double our combined targets. The generosity and encouragement from friends, family, and fellow runners was overwhelming (in a good way).

We even got a mention in the Swindon Link Magazine and the Seven Fields parkrun report, which felt like a lovely nod to everyone involved.

The runs

Friday
6:00pm – Run 1
10:00pm – Run 2
Saturday
2:00am – Run 3
6:00am – Run 4
The exception: 9:00am – Run 5 (@ Seven Fields parkrun + 1 mile)
2:00pm – Run 6
6:00pm – Run 7
10:00pm – Run 8
Sunday
2:00am – Run 9
2:00am – Run 10
6:00am – Run 11
10:00am – Run 12
2:00pm – Run 13

The route

Apart from the 09:00 Saturday run which was Seven Fields parkrun, we started from the Orbital shopping park and did the same 4 mile route all weekend.

🏃‍♀️ The Stats

Here’s what 48 hours of running looked like for me:

  • 13 runs completed
  • Total distance (each): 85.73 km / 53.27 miles
  • Average run duration: 50 minutes (all run lasted between 44 and 54 minutes)
  • Average heart rate: 134 bpm
  • Total calories burned: 6,082 kcal
  • Sleep: about 8h50 in total, spread across nine naps
  • Recovery: six yoga or stretch sessions between runs

💬 Most asked questions

🗓 How do you prepare for it?

I planned all the elements I could control.
Knowing the start times, I planned when to eat, when to stretch and when to rest. Then adapt.
I had to adapt for example after the 18:00 run on Saturday as my eldest child needed a lift to a friend’s house 14 miles away. I didn’t stretch nor sleep after that run, but I made a protein smoothie to have on the way to get my recovery fuel in.

My tip? Make it a routine: each run followed the same rhythm: run, stretch, refuel, wash, nap, repeat.
The only exception was the 02:00 runs (BST + GMT) where we ran back to back so no time to stretch or go home to refuel. For nutrition, a gel did the job in between runs.

🧺 Laundry

One of the most recurring questions I get is how do you cope with your running kit? Do you have to have a lot ready?
I had 4 main running outfits. I used a simple “wear one, wash and dry two” kit rotation that worked perfectly for keeping me fresh(ish) through the weekend.
The hard part is when it rains or overnight with humidity, having to dry gloves and hat. Thankfully I also have a shoe drier for my running shoes which I’d only tried twice before. That worked well and helped between the first couple of runs. I used my trail running shoes on one of the runs and again at the SevenFields parkrun.

🧘 Recovery and movement

I added short yoga/mobility/foam rolling sessions between runs. I did 6 of them as sometimes I ended up prioritising sleep instead, usually lasting 7–16 minutes. Those little moments of stretching, breathing, and resetting helped enormously.
My legs stayed tight but functional, and it made the whole challenge feel more sustainable.
I only took painkiller (paracetamol) once, on Sunday morning before the 10am run and that was mostly because of the chaffing pain.
On Sunday evening after the challenge I went for a sauna session where I alternated cold baths and sauna for just over 1h. That really helps my recovery.
I was able to move without too much tightness on Monday morning, even up and down stairs.
I also had booked a sports massage with Cheryl from EH Sports Therapy and Massage for Monday lunchtime as Kev  was on holiday. Cheryl was great! Highly recommended if you ever attempt this sort of madness!

🍲 Food and fuel

Another recurring question is “what do you eat”? and “do you have time to cook?”

Meal prep made everything easier. I kept things simple:

  • Rice and veg pots, overnight oats, or toast with peanut butter and banana for pre-run meals
  • Protein smoothies with banana, pesto pasta with chicken, or scrambled eggs on toast for recovery
  • Hydration with a lot of water and plenty of herbal tea
  • I didn’t have any coffee

It wasn’t gourmet cuisine, but it worked. 

🧠 The Hard bits

The 02:00 runs were the worst. When you’re exhausted, it’s cold and dark, and your brain is trying to convince you to stop, you really find out what mental toughness means. Having company and distraction for those early hours made all the difference.

There was a near-miss when I nodded off on the sofa before a run, without an alarm…thankfully I woke up in time!

Not a “hard bit” but a little-known fact: you can’t set alarms between 01:00 and 02:00 during the clock change from BST to GMT. They automatically shift forward by an hour…

On Saturday afternoon, Gem asked me to look after her car key…and I forgot and took it home! Her phone battery had run out so I couldn’t get in touch. Thankfully Neil drove the key back to Gem and all was fine! Phew.
That’s what happen when your brain is not working – don’t trust me 24h into a challenge!

The only real mishap was mine of the challenge… promising my work colleagues I’d wear a Wonder Woman outfit if I reached £500 in donations. I did… and soon regretted it when the shorts caused painful chafing from the 14:00 Saturday run onwards.
Every run after that hurt( a lot). Lesson learned!

📣  Special mentions

First of all I want to thank all who kindly donated to the Lily foundation on our fundraising pages. Such kindness and support was incredible!

Special-special mentions:

I wouldn’t have done this if it wasn’t for Neil! This one was his idea, at a parkrun while chatting a few months ago…then I got onto planning mode.
Neil had just run a marathon the previous weekend and absolutely smashed this challenge – I seriously don’t know how he does it. After the challenge, as I went off to relax in a sauna and do nothing, Neil went off for a driving lesson with his girlfriend.
No rest – just grit. And he has a Half Marathon to run on Sunday!

Across the weekend, 29 people joined different runs. Seeing familiar faces appear at all hours gave every run its own spark of energy.
Gabriel ran 9 runs with us, but he also ran extra and his own runs when he couldn’t join so he’s completed the challenge too. Very impressed by his stamina and doing this with a young family and newborn makes it especially hard: Well done Gabriel!

A huge shoutout to Dennis, who we didn’t know before the weekend but who joined the challenge via Strava, and completed nine runs, completely solo, in horrible weather in Swansea. Absolute superstar 🌟

Next shoutout is for Caroline, who joined 9 of our runs. She’s incredible and I have learned a lot from Caroline – she kept us going with jeffing on the last runs too. I think she deserves an Allstars Allstar award!

Now I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone (if so, message me – my brain wasn’t always functioning and I relied on photos to remember some of this)…

James did 4 laps with us before going on holidays – fab support! Then Claire J, Iain, Julie and Thoko each did 3 runs with us. That’s 12 miles!

Andy, Davina, Jade, Jess, Sean, Vicky joined us for two runs each, and Claire H, Dionne, Gem, Gill, Hannah, Lorraine, Mark, Michelle, Nish, Rachel D, Tim, Vi and Yvette all joined us for a run. Thanks so much all!

And of course, a nod to our four-legged supporters: Mabel and Milo who joined a run each, and Percy at the start of at least 5 runs, bringing smiles on our faces every single time 🐾

Special prizes

The “reporter prize” goes to Gem and Jade for their brilliant photos and updates : they made our weekend look far more glamorous than it felt! Special thanks also to Andy and Claire J, who captured great moments along the way. My own photos were pretty dreadful, so I’m very grateful for theirs.

The “spy prize”, taking photos and videos when we didn’t expect them to even be there: Francesca & Lucia and then Andy B on Saturday night.

A “hug prize” goes to Rachel and George, who gave us much-needed warmth and energy before our last run of the challenge, having both completed a half marathon earlier that day and both got PBs.
And a heartfelt thank you to Claire H, Nicky S, Andrea, Danny, Umesh, Sam, Caroline, Nigel, Dionne, Davina, Kev and others who kept messaging encouragement through the tough hours; those small check-ins meant more than you can imagine.

💡 Lessons and takeaways

We learned (or confirmed) how important planning is, not just for logistics, but for peace of mind. Having meals prepped, sleep windows mapped out, and kit ready meant one less thing to think about when exhaustion set in.

Another tip is just company – whether is for cheering on, distraction from the discomfort, or someone to be there because our brain isn’t quite working…friends are the best!

The biggest learning this time was Jeffing (run/walk intervals). Caroline used (and then lent me) her Gymboss timer and suggested we try it, and honestly, it saved the day on Sunday. It helped maintain pace while managing fatigue, and I’ll definitely experiment with it more in training.

❤️ Gratitude and recovery

The support throughout the weekend (hugs, messages, surprise visits, running buddies, and donations) meant the world to both of us.

After the final run, five of us headed to the pub for a much-deserved hot chocolate, and I followed that by an outdoor sauna recovery session. It was the perfect way to end a cold, slightly sleep-deprived but deeply satisfying 48 hours.

We’ll probably need a few more days to fully recover, but our hearts (and legs) are full.

Clock Change Goggins Challenge: completed.
 For Hope, for The Lily Foundation, and for everyone who helped us through the darker miles. Big love to all💗💜

https://www.justgiving.com/page/aurelie-team-hope

https://www.justgiving.com/page/neil-houghton-4

ARC12 recce on the South West Coast Path: Godrevy to Porthtowan

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I registered a while back for the Arc of Attrition running event in January 2026. It’s a running event on the South West Coast Path in Cornwall, with different distances: 100 miles, 50 miles, and 25 miles. For 2026, they’ve created a shorter version, ARC12, which is 12 miles (nearly 20km).

I had a free weekend this weekend, so I decided to get my tent in the car and booked the campsite on Thursday for Saturday and Sunday. The campsite will also be the event finish line in January.

The aim was to recce the route and prepare mentally. I was originally going to hike it, but decided instead to try running it to see if I could complete it within the 4-hour cut-off time. Whether I managed it or not, it would be a valuable recce: a chance to learn what to do, what to expect, and where the challenges are.

I did it in just under 3h40…

After a long drive to Cornwall (accidents on the roads etc) and late Friday arrival at an eco campsite in Porthtowan (called Mount Pleasant Eco Park), I pitched my tent in the dark and sat back to watch the stars. It was a peaceful start to what turned out to be a spectacular impromptu weekend.

Saturday morning, I weighed up whether to make the trek to a parkrun (very tempting – I dislike missing out on a parkrun tourism opportunity) , but public transport options were awkward and slow, so I opted out.

Instead, I caught two buses (the 315 and then the T2) aiming to get to Godrevy. Unfortunately, a lorry blocked the final approach, so the bus driver kindly dropped me… further up the road and I hiked the extra bit to the start of the recce…

As it was nearing noon, I stopped at the Jam Pot café by St Gothian Sands for tea and eggs on toast. Absolutely lovely. Worth noting: no toilets at the café, and the ones near the beach and lifeguard hut had no running water to flush or wash. Not ideal.

I hiked on to the other side of the “Red River” before reaching the start of the run.

From the National Trust car park at Godrevy, I set off on my run (or fast-hike if you think running needs to be a certain pace) along the South West Coast Path just after 12.30pm.

Well fuelled and hydrated, I set a good pace early on. The first 4km felt really great, though I had a niggle at the back of my right ankle that I had pre-taped. My cap wasn’t surviving the breeze either, but the sea air was so refreshing it made up for it. I was having fun!

The terrain was kind and the views absolutely stunning. I took frequent photo and video breaks because it was just too beautiful not to capture. I was ahead of my target pace, knowing the back half had more hills, so I pushed a little early on. I passed the 9km mark around Portreath about 25 minutes ahead of my splits.

Then came kilometre 9 to 10… an utter joke. I possibly took the wrong path down into the Carvannel Downs area, but even the correct trail would have been steep, rutted, and not remotely runnable. It’ll be very tricky in winter. Noted for ARC12: this will be a walking section.

Energy dipped badly just before Portreath when I realised I’d forgotten to eat. Took a gel at that point (10k in) & another at 15k to carry me through.

By 15km I was flagging. The temperature was still in the high 20s, and the steps were brutal – far too tall for comfortable climbing. I’m short ….My legs just don’t stretch that far! The pace dropped and I basically crawled, but I saw the payoff of all those gym sessions: split squats, step-ups, posterior chain work. I kept moving.

Now I’m back at the campsite with my birthday book (finally cracking it open!) and tomorrow I’m off to Newquay to meet a friend for a swim and brunch.

At 17km I passed Sally’s Bottom (always a snigger! ) and pushed towards Porthtowan. The steps were still challenging but I got through them.

Took a break, turned my phone data on (checking social media), and then carried on. The path beyond was full of loose stones – hard on the feet, no flow. I walked, jogged, walked again. No rhythm. I wasn’t having as much fun at that point. But I knew I wasn’t far.

Still, I was about 20 minutes ahead of my estimate finish time on the Garmin. With 2.5km left, I allowed myself to walk the last hills and still aimed to come in under four hours.

Total distance: 19.79km, with 516m of elevation gain. Not a fast run, but a solid effort in the heat, and brilliant ARC12 recce.

Happy 12 miles 😊

Fuelling breakdown: Before the run I had tea (~500 ml) and eggs on toast, totalling around 336 kcal and 31 g of carbs. During the run, I drank about 1.5 litres of water and 500 ml of Tailwind, which added another 200 kcal and 50 g of carbs. I had three energy gels throughout the effort (288 kcal, 69 g carbs). After the run, I refuelled with a Quaker porridge-to-go bar (139 kcal, 21 g carbs). All in, during the run I consumed approximately 819 kcal and 152 g of carbohydrates, and drank about 2 litres of fluids. I’m happy with that fuelling effort for a 3.5-hour coastal run in summer heat.

A fab spontaneous weekend and a great reminder of how glorious the Cornish coast can be (if I needed one). This route is not just for running: it’s a beautiful walk, too, and I highly recommend it for anyone up for a bit of a challenge and a lot of views.

Rambling on Together: Walkers Hill, Milk Hill and canal loop

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Route

Walkers Hill, Milk Hill and canal loop – 16 km circular with paragliders and White Horse views

I meant to write this blog post weeks ago but somehow time flew. Better late than never.

This was our “Rambling On Together” walk on 27th April, in Wiltshire.

This was a walk I did with Gary and Johnny on a warm, sunny day that offered everything I could hope for – stunning views, plenty of wildlife, and great company.

It was also the day after I first noticed some pain in my right knee. I wasn’t sure how I’d manage the walk, but with the help of hiking poles, it didn’t hurt at all on the day – a relief and a small win.

We set off from the Pewsey Downs car park and climbed onto the ridge before descending towards the canal. The walk along the towpath was peaceful and scenic. We made a welcome coffee stop at Honeystreet Café, which was just the thing for a short break in the sunshine.

We were treated to lots of wildlife throughout the walk. A couple of fields were full of large rabbits, and just a short while later, two deer crossed the path right in front of us. There were birds everywhere, and we passed plenty of cows and sheep, including some newborn lambs.

The climb back up through Alton Barnes and Alton Priors was steady and rewarding. We passed Walkers Hill (260 m) and the striking chalk figure of the Alton Barnes White Horse, before continuing up to Milk Hill (295 m) – the highest point in Wiltshire.

The views across the Pewsey Downs were absolutely breathtaking. We were lucky enough to see dozens of paragliders launching from the hills, catching the thermals and drifting above us. To top it all off, we saw biplanes flying in formation overhead just as we were making our way back to the car park.

As always with Gary and Johnny, there was plenty of laughter and easy conversation. It really was a special day – one of those walks that stays with you.

Alton Barnes White Horse

Avebury and the Ridgeway with Sam

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📍 Avebury + Ridgeway + West Kennet Long Barrow (12.6 km)



Some  hikes aren’t just about the distance or the views—they’re about the people you share them with. Last wednesday’s midweek wander through the Avebury countryside was exactly that: a day of sunshine, open skies, and soul-restoring friendship.

I took a day’s leave to walk with my best friend Sam, and it turned out to be one of those perfect spring days where everything feels a little bit lighter.

It started with Sam having given me a bag of snacks – homemade trail mix with similar contents we had on the Clarendon Way! My favourite!!

The Ridgeway gave us big skies and long views, Silbury hill sanding still in the landscap,, West Kennet Long Barrow quiet and ancient in the sunshine, and the company—well, that was the best bit of all.

Sam and I met through work at Cranfield University ten years ago this month, and somehow that early connection grew into something much deeper. She’s seen me through a lot over the years, and time with her, especially walking with her always brings comfort, laughter, and the kind of honest conversations and laughter that only happen with someone who really gets you.

We even had a moment of classic  hilarity—spotting a wooden post and thinking it was a deer(To be fair, from a distance I thought it was a pheasant…)! But straight after we did see deer!

These are the good days: fresh air, shared stories, and the kind of company that reminds you you’re never walking alone.

We had refreshments at the National Trust café in Avebury and started thinking about our next hike together !

Grateful for every step.

And just like that, after a few days of daily posts, I’ve caught up on my 2025 hike reports.

We’re planning two group hikes in April  open to my friends, and I have a busy month of fitness challenges in May which I’ll post about too.

From Dragon’s Back to Dragon Hill: A Chilly but Beautiful Ramble

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📍 Ashbury to Uffington White Horse, Oxfordshire

Fresh from the wild ridges of the Dragon’s Back the day before,  I headed out again —this time to Dragon Hill and the iconic Uffington White Horse. Definitely a winter walk, the sun didn’t make an appearance at all and the wind was biting at times,  but the company and views more than made up for it.

We went around Wayland’s Smithy too on the way back.

This was a special one: Thoko asked me to take her on a hike, as she’s not used to hikes, and she absolutely smashed it.

That climb wasn’t easy—especially with the wind — but she powered through. It was a real joy to walk and chat together.

We were treated to the sight of majestic red kites soaring above Dragon Hill, adding a touch of magic to an already beautiful route.

A quieter, gentler pace than yesterday’s mountain adventure, but no less rewarding.

It’s such a gift to share these landscapes—and to see someone discover their own strength along the way.

Solo Recce for Marlborough Downs Challenge 20

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📍 Marlborough • West Woods • Vale of Pewsey • Avebury


Distance: 34 km / 21 miles
Time on feet: 6h38

I planned this as a hike but ended up Jeffing it. I started at dawn and was worried, mid February that there wouldn’t be sufficient daylight but I was back in Marlborough in good time, before sunset.

I’d opened this up as a group recce for the MDC20, but it ended up being a solo effort—just me, my backpack, and a very long mostly muddy trail.

I still planned the route on map, Garmin device and OS Maps app, as if I was with a group and I had to plan for food& drinks for the day as there was no “support”.

Not quite a run, not quite a hike—definitely a trail slog. I set off from Marlborough, wound through West Woods and Gopher Wood, dropped into the Vale of Pewsey, and finally reached Avebury, after a few more hours on my feet than planned.

The weather was dry but windy and cold with occasional sunshine.

I went off-course three times. But here is something to make you smile…while lost just before reaching West Woods, I got a Facebook notification… for a navigation course, happening in West Wood, that day, at that exact moment. Thanks, universe, I did laugh out loud at the irony of the moment.

I really enjoyed walking by the wansdyke in the woods. I had the place to myself and it felt really special. I took my time admiring the trees.

Conditions check:

  • Mud: Abundant and clingy.
  • Wind: Brutal—especially between Marlborough and Avebury.
  • Fuel: Flapjacks carried me. Gels tolerated.
  • Hydration: Minimal—too cold to drink properly.
  • Vibes: Somewhere between “What am I doing?” and “Actually, I’m doing it.”

The aftermath..

  • Sore shoulders for days from the backpack.
  • A blister in the middle of my back. Yes, really.Yuck, I know.
  • Legs coped, spirit wobbled, but I didn’t break.

And here’s the thing: I’ll have to do it again in May for the actual event. No question.

But I’ll need to be faster to make the cut-off time. If it’s as muddy on race day, I might be staring down a DNF—so fingers crossed for a dry spell and fewer detours next time.

At that point I was just glad I got it done. It’s definitely a beautiful route and I hope to enjoy it more next time.
One step closer. Onwards and upwards.

Slowly catching up on the hikes write up – this was five weeks ago.

Next time, I’ll mention Dragon’s Back – epic!

In the meantime here is my photo dump from the Marlborough Downs:

Adam and Eve

Rambling On Together: Liddington Hillfort

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Our first Rambling On Together group hike of 2025 took us from the Richard Jefferies Museum to the Ridgeway, Liddington Hillfort and back—a lovely 17 km loop with pretty views, and great company.

I was joined by Johnny and Gary and, miraculously, avoided the rain! We had grey skies in this first day of February but it remained dry. It was chilly at the summit of Liddington Castle (275 m), but the views more than made up for it. We tucked into lunch and hot drinks up top, with homemade flapjacks keeping us going.

Along the way we spotted red kites, and even caught sight of a deer (you might just make it out in one of the photos). The Curly-Wurly Bridge also featured of course, and there was no shortage of good chat.

This was the first of the hikes I’m sharing with friends to join as a group.

I planned the route, shared a kit list and organised timings and I’m happy how it worked out. I’d also brought homemade flapjacks for the group.

Here’s to many more miles ahead.

I am posting this eight weeks later and we’ve hiked again since. I’ll share in the next post.

2024 Hike Highlights: Quick Recap

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Before jumping into 2025 adventures (which have started), here’s a summary of some unforgettable hikes from last year, which I didn’t get a chance to post about but I’m going to do a bit of a photo dump to record them!

Photo dump incoming…

1 June 2024:

Lovely hike up Win Green in Wiltshire on my way to Sarah’s house before the Clarendon Walk.

There are extensive views, with Bournemouth, the Isle of Wight, Salisbury, Glastonbury Tor, the Mendips, the Quantocks and Milk Hill all visible in clear conditions. It is classed as a Marilyn, and is a landmark due to the clump of trees on the high point.



2 June 2024: Clarendon Walk
– 26 miles of walking with Sam and Sarah to support Naomi House Children’s Hospice. A physically challenging but heartwarming day for an amazing cause. 

It was really 27 miles & we walked an extra mile from and to the carpark – 29 miles



15 June 2024: Edale Skyline Challenge
– Peak District magic with Andrea.

One of the hardest and most rewarding hikes I’ve ever done. The views and terrain were breathtaking and the weather kept changing – I’m definitely coming back for more adventures here! 

We saw a rainbow right by us on the last mile.



30 June 2024: Sugar Loaf


A quick and scenic 2.5-hour hike with Fran. Stunning wildlife and surroundings made this a perfect day. A manageable climb that would also be fantastic for trail running. 

26-27 July 2024: Mynydd Du Fforest Grwyne Fawr Reservoir Walk

Amazing weekend, walk to the reservoir with Dan, wild camp under clear skies, great food, laughter, all the weather on day two, forest walk and stop in a pub garden on the way back. Very cool.

18 August 2024: Cleeve Hill with Sam

Cleeve Hill (330 m)
Lovely 5 mile stroll with my bestie Sam. Lovely day out and such great views.

5 October 2024: Pen-y-fan with running club friends

Afternoon the Y Promenâd parkrun, five of us had a challenging, windy , but (mostly) sunny climb up 🏔️Corn Du and 🏔️Pen Y Fan.
3h (ish) – 520m elevation…
Brilliant little trip!



1 November 2024: Savernake Forest


A vibrant autumn hike with Andrea, Joanna, and Claudia. The colours, crisp air, and great company made it awesome. 



30 November 2024: Ashbury to Ashdown House (via the Ridgeway)


A wonderful day with Danny, combining great chats and Ridgeway’s rolling landscapes. 



30 December 2024: Wilton Windmill Loop


My daughters joined me for a 10km adventure! It was such a fun loop – a perfect way to end the year. 

Now I can focus on 2025 hikes while these memories stay documented!

What were your favourite hiking moments of 2024?

Let me know! 🥾✨

Preparing for Adventure: Two Hikes in Gloucestershire and Fan Brycheiniog

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In the lead-up to my upcoming Snowdonia Slate Trail adventure, I embarked on two amazing hikes that not only served as preparation but also filled my soul with joy and anticipation for the trails ahead.

Firstly, I ventured to Coaley Peak and Woodchester Valley loop, accompanied by the indomitable Andrea. Amidst the verdant woods and rolling hills, we indulged in a morning of hiking, sprinkled with a dash of trail running to outrun a passing tractor in the vineyard – an adventure filled with laughter, sunshine, and the simple pleasures of nature. It was a reminder of why the great outdoors is my happy place, and I eagerly look forward to more moments like these.



Next, I tackled  Fan Brycheiniog, standing tall at 802m in the heart of Wales. Joined by ten fellow trekkers (from our Iceland trek) and two canine companions, Bear & Daisy, the day was nothing short of extraordinary. Despite the initial steep incline and an unexpected detour along the way, our journey was marked by camaraderie, breathtaking vistas, and the shared joy of overcoming challenges.

As I reflected on our Iceland trek and the resilience it demanded, conquering Fan Brycheiniog felt like a tribute to our determination and spirit of adventure. Each step reminded me of the incredible community of trekkers and supporters rallying behind Prospect Hospice, spurring me onward to embrace new challenges and make a difference.



With memories of these two unforgettable hikes fueling my excitement, I’m ready to embark on the Snowdonia Slate Trail, embracing the unknown with open arms and a heart full of anticipation. Here’s to the adventures that lie ahead, the friendships forged on the trails, and the endless possibilities waiting to be discovered amidst the beauty of nature.

Let the journey begin. 🏔️💚

Wiltshire and Malvern hills – Reflections on my Final Training Hikes

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I wanted to share my last two training hikes before the Iceland Trek.

Sunday Solo Hike – More Iceland Trek Training

Date: 25th February 2024



This marked another section in my journey to prepare for the upcoming Iceland trek. Despite forgetting to check the forecast (rookie mistake, I know!), I embarked on a solo hike that turned out to be quite the adventure, if a wet and windy one!

The route took me through some familiar landscapes (which I’d walked in June 2022 on my walk across Wiltshire in aid of Prospect Hospice), starting with Walkers Hill and winding through charming little villages. As I walked along the canal and passed through Honeystreet and Alton Barnes, memories of my previous walks across Wiltshire flooded back, except there was a bit more wind and rain this time around.

The highlight of the hike was the ascent up the hills, with iconic landmarks like Alton Barnes White Horse and Milk Hill punctuating the landscape. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the walk served as excellent preparation for the cold and unpredictable weather I’ll likely encounter in Iceland. Plus, it gave me the chance to test out my gear once more  and make sure everything is in top shape for the adventure ahead.

The Malverns, with the best company I could wish for

Date: 3rd March 2024

And the trek training continues!



This time, for my last hike before the big one, I was joined by my two lovely daughters. They asked to join and wanted to “go up a mountain”. We would have done Pen Y Fan but the forecast was for heavy snow and the ground conditions meant we probably wouldn’t have been able to reach the car park.

So a friend suggested the Malverns. It was closer so that’s a win, but also it’s somewhere all three of us could discover together.

We approached the hills startled and in awe. It looked stunning with the snow atop. We parked and started from British Camp. Word of warning if you ever go, the card machine wasn’t working in the car park. Bring coins. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect – a beautiful sunny day that filled us with energy and excitement for the journey ahead.

As we soaked in the breathtaking views and embraced the crisp air, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for moments like these. And while I may have forgotten to start my Garmin for the first couple of miles (oops!), the experience itself was worth more than any number on a screen. In total, we covered a solid nearly 9km, making every step count.

These hikes, despite their challenges and surprises, remind me why I fell in love with hiking in the first place. Each journey is not just about physical endurance, but also about embracing the beauty of nature, pushing past limits, and finding moments of pure joy, whether it’s when enjoying company or simply connection with the world around us, when we’re on our own or with others.

I  still am amazed by  all the support I have got from all my friends. Thank you.

Tomorrow I’ll be landing in Iceland, ready for the three-day trek in aid of Prospect Hospice.

I can’t wait to share this journey with all of you

Until then, it’s goodnight from me.