Having walked, cycled and paddle boarded from Lands End to John O’Groats (LEJOG) over the past 18 months, I can quite honestly say that I love a big adventure. Exploring somewhere new, traveling under my own steam and meeting new people (not to mention all the well earned cake stops).
While it can often sound romantic, the day to day is far less so. A simple and uncomfortable life. Waking at the crack of dawn and seeking out food. Often down to my last Nakd bar with no idea where I’ll get lunch. Then there’s the monotony of putting one foot in front of the other, while of course knowing that a 20 mile route will take me 8 hours to walk, rather than 2 hours on a bike or less than 1 in a car.
But out of the simplicity, the lack of emails, the lack of worrying about anything except food, miles and sleep, from getting down to my most basic needs I begin to appreciate the little things.
A warm bath, a comfy place to read in front of a fire with a cup of tea, a big comfy bed with silky sheets and a duvet that gives me a big hug. Life’s little luxuries, when they can be found, are treasured.
For all its hardships, adventure fuels something in me. It reminds me what I’m capable of; when push comes to shove I know I can make it through anything.
I think it’s this mix of fuelling my fire and appreciating what I have, that I love so much about adventure. Getting outside often, even if it’s just for a weekend ramble, reminds me of this and helps to keep my life balanced and happy.