Re-reading the ‘Change 17 Challenges’ page of this site, I’m slightly smirking to myself…”17km walk along the Jurassic Coast” (still happening by the way); “Walk 17km around the Isle of Barra”…
Written several months ago…in survival mode – where a slight nudge away from stability felt like a giant leap…maybe that was a Covid/lockdown feeling, but more likely a case of “I’ve had enough challenge lately thank you very much”
A shift has occurred recently though. The lead up to George’s birthday on 17th April was tough – I’ve learnt that the anticpation of these anniversaries are often worse than the actual day itself – but then beyond the 17th, I started to feel a little ‘lighter’ – like something was lifting. Hope, maybe. Seeing family recently helped so much – lockdown has been tough, even for this introvert.
Three weeks later, that’s evolved into the start of ‘growth’, I think. I’m feeling more confident to implement new work ideas, have been planning Summer fun, and preparing a brand new Change 17 Challenge!
We far exceeded the 1.7million steps over the 17 weeks from 21st Jan to 17th April, and so our attention has turned to the next challenge…
I’ve been following the daily treks of a few long distance/’thru’ hikers of the South West Coast Path, the West Highland Way, and the monster Appalachian Trail, on Instagram. Each day, I heard a little whisper – a voice deep inside that ushered “I’d like to do a thru hike…and I think…I think I could…” Then that whisper turned into a voice.
James told me to listen, not to ignore a voice like that – wise.
So we’ve been setting about a plan to walk the Hebridean Way, including our special island – Barra. The walk covers 156 miles, from Vatersay and Barra – the most beautiful islands of white sand, turquoise water, and bobs of seals, all the way up through the Uists, to Harris and Lewis – islands of purple and red heather, red deer and eagles. Sounds idyllic! It was – when we drove it.
My planning has given me a kick of a reality check. Expert hikers stating that you need to be “physically fit; psychologically robust and comfortable with complete isolation” – lockdown has had us in training for the last one. Physically fit – I used to be, ha. But I know I can practise for it.
Psychologically robust – hmmm.
Resilient when I need to be? Yes. Always feel resilient? Definitely not. But I’ve done an awful lot of work on this lately, and I’m keen to see where this takes me.
In true Ilse and James style, we said “156 miles doesn’t sound very Change 17 though does it. Let’s make it 170 miles with a few extra miles on Barra”…
The plans are underway – we’re still to decide whether to go the advised south to north route (with the SW wind behind us and starting in Barra), or do what our hearts say and go north to south, ending up on Barra – into the wind and the sun, if it shines. Unless we can find a way of looping the walk, I think we all know where the finish point needs to be.
So much to do, so much to learn – from my point of view:
- Navigating with OS maps – beyond what I’ve done with my KS2 class.
- Managing the feet – doing everything possible to avoid blisters, and trench foot, from walking through the peat bogs.
- Packing light – 18kg max or as James says “You want it, you carry it”
- Walking with that ‘light’ rucksack
- Wild camping – pitching a tiny tent in the rain, getting comfortable with being uncomfortable (the theme to the whole challenge?)
- Eating what’s available (eating more calories isn’t going to be a problem, let’s face it)
- Boiling, filtering and sanitising water from streams
- Speaking to myself (and James) kindly – managing the chimp, believing I can, and anticipating the tough times.
And that’s really just the start. I switch from thinking this is a physical challenge to realising the biggest challenge will be the mental, emotional side. “Feel the fear – and do it anyway”…”Yes it’s tough – keep going” …Somewhat of a change from the Ils that sat and watched James surf on George’s birthday, because getting into the cold water felt like a challenge too far.
But I’m bloody well going to try my best.
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