Linda Loder

I don't know what it is about hiking, but as long as I am able, I want to do it. I am not one of these "outward bound" hikers who are bent double with the weight of their pack, trudging through storms and rain. I like to take pictures so the weather needs to be decent. I like to stop and admire the views, so a 20 mile hike in stormy weather is not likely going to be on my agenda. I also like a companion to share those views with and to plan with as we navigate our way around the coast of Britain. We don't like trudging through fields and forests, clocking endless miles before reaching any hint of civilization and then bunking down in communal accommodation. We like to go at our own pace, take local transportation and a car to help us manoever the distances and stay in cottages that come complete with all the amenities of modern life - a kitchen, a bathroom with a bath, good beds and a wide screen TV to watch British mysteries in the evening. We love seeing the coastal wildlife, the birds, the rabbits and the not so wild life - the cattle and sheep. We however, don't like the attention of mosquitos and find coastal walking is free from their persistent buzz.

We like exploring the little villages we find on route, finding a coffee shop to break the journey and discovering unexpected treasures like a Monkey sanctuary or a tropical garden open to the public. It is all good, healthy, relaxing and rejuvinating activity and begs to be repeated time and again.

So, hiking has been a high point in our retirement. It has been a motivator for teaching about England, an inspiration for painting scenes about England and lastly a reason to write about our experiences along the coastal trails of England and beyond which I hope to do in this blog. Thanks for checking in and I hope you will enjoy our adventures as much as we have. Linda