I arrived at the campsite, there was no signal on my phone, there was no WIFI there was no connection to my world. I didn’t think anything of it, in fact this is a real treat for me, I have always loved being places where I can reconnect to me.
So I was totally shocked when i started to feel anxious……I was feeling restless, what is wrong I wondered, I had been in this situation many times before and it had never bothered me.
Since Covid my reliance on the internet and 4G, like many people, has become a way for me to keep connected with people and for the first time in 3 years it wasn’t there.
As soon as I understood where these feelings were coming from I was able to change the course of my focus and I decided that I wanted to make the most of where I was, there was nothing I could do about the signal after all. The Wales coastal path was on the doorstep, so I packed a bag with food, water and waterproof gear and headed off on a walk to Rhossili Bay.
The journey was filled with some of the greenest foliage I have seen since being in St Lucia, the lushest of the Caribbean islands, the dark cold mysterious waters, and the energetic crashing of the white water of the waves hitting the rocks and in places golden sand. The sun was shining but I was sheltered from the heat by the white and grey clouds that were floating in the sky. How have I never been here before, I had spent hours and hours travelling to far flung destinations and this was 3 hours from my door and I never made the time to explore it.
My plan was to get to Rhossili Bay 7 miles away, or walk for 6 hours, which ever came first, I had no idea on the terrain and from my experience of the south west coast path I knew it could be tough ups and downs and unstable underfoot which slows me down, I remember thinking I should really learn to read maps so I can be a little more prepared, but there is something exciting about rocking up and seeing what I find, it’s the rebel in me.
I had been walking for 2 hours and 45 minutes, I walked past a young man who was walking with poles and a large back pack heading in the opposite direction. We smiled and exchanged a soft hello and continued on our journeys. I passed many people on route but he was the only other solo walker.
I managed to make it to worms head just before my 3 hour timeframe, I am guessing I got around the 5 mile marker. I turned around and started to walk back. I never enjoy an out and back route, another reason to learn to read maps….. I caught up with the other solo walker again and noticed that he had pots and pans hanging from his back pack. He was wild camping along this route. It reminded me of the salt path book, that I still haven’t finished yet. He looked tired and was moving really slowly.
As I walked past him, at pace, I asked him if he was camping and he replied a soft and worn out “yes, I am not moving very fast” to which I replied, “I am not surprised you have your house on your back.” I continued on my fast pace passing him quickly. I was in need of a wee and was looking for a suitable wild wee spot. When I turned back I saw he had stopped, great I thought I have some time on this path before anyone would be near me, perfect for a wild wee opportunity.
I gave Bodhi some water and also topped myself up, now I had made some space. The young Man was passing us again. I am not a great at starting conversations but I was wondering what had inspired him to take on this walk, I was remembering the inspiration of Raynor Winn the author of the salt path and became curious as to why this chap was taking on this challenge.
That one question, “I am curious what inspired you to take on this challenge” was the start of a 2 hour walking and talking conversation with Noah, a 22 year old man who had decided to take on this journey to prove to himself that he wasn’t the person he had become during covid and wanted to face some of his fears and challenge himself to do more and be more.
He had completed other walks but this was the first one that he had tackled on his own.
We talked about our reasons for being on the path, we spoke about our personal challenges and how covid changed our thinking and what we were both doing following a change in personal circumstance. We took time to take in the views and had a stop for a bite to eat.
He thanked me for walking with him, he told me that he was really struggling and would not have got as far as he did had it not been for me talking and walking with him.
I probably walked slower while I walked with Noah but I didn’t mind in the slightest listening to the experiences he had in his young life was fascinating and giving me a richer perspective on his life and life in general.
I hope he finished his journey and I am glad that I could play a small part in helping him on his way.
He also helped me creating a connection that I didn’t have and felt I was missing. The short time we walked and talked was just what I needed at a time when I was feeling isolated from what has become my new normal way of connecting with people.
I wonder if I would have even bothered to ask him that one question if I was pre occupied with my phone bleeping or even on a call with someone else…. The answer is probably no.
Being in the moment, noticing who and what was around me lead to an enjoyable experience that I will always remember and when I am faced with any feelings of isolation I will remember that all I need is to ask one good question……. The rest will take care of itself.
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