The English Walker

No, I am not really English. I love to hike in England, and last year- 2009-- made me a believer. I hiked the length of the Hadrian's Wall National Path from Newcastle to Bowness on Solway in 7 days, about 86 miles, all told. Pretty amazing stuff and an extraordinary experience, except for one brazen cow (but more on that later).

I hike solo, but never alone. On the Hadrian's Wall Path, I met some amazing people, including the 87 year old gentleman from the Netherlands who passed me on the toughest part of the hike and made me ashamed of how out-of-shape I was, and am. He was with his "younger" wife (she declined to mention her age) of 55 years!

Solo hiking is some of the best therapy you can imagine. On my walk, somewhere near Twice-Brewed, I decided to buy an apartment in Manhattan. I used to live there, for nearly 20 years, but relocated to Philadelphia for a job in 2006. I wanted back big-time, even if only on weekends and holidays. So, I took the plunge.

In 2010, I have already made arrangements for my second, major English hike, the North Downs Path, from Farnham, via Canterbury, to the white cliffs of Dover. It scares me to imagine what I will come up with as I stroll along the Hogs Back, walking part of the way on the Pilgrim's Path to Canterbury. We shall see.