Golden sand beaches, rugged cliffs, sunsets and sunrises over the sea, lighthouses, cakes with lashings of icing, seals, red squirrels, and the occasional paddock with a cute looking cow – those are the highlights of the Anglesey Coastal Path. This long-distance walking trail and adventure delivered (check out the photos below). Over 11 days, my … Continue reading Five mindset lessons from hiking the 229km Anglesey Coastal Path, Wales
walking
I’ve started Parkrun – this is what I’ve learnt
Photo not from Parkrun but a walking event from a couple of years ago A couple of months ago I started Parkrun - the Saturday morning 5km community running event.But I don't run (because I'm not a runner) - instead I walk. If I'm honest I've always been a bit put off by Parkrun by … Continue reading I’ve started Parkrun – this is what I’ve learnt
What book editing has to do with life
I've started the editing process of the first draft of my book detailing my experience of walking the Te Araroa Trail down the length of New Zealand. I had been dreading it. How bad was my writing going to be? How much would I have to rewrite? How long was it going to take? Was … Continue reading What book editing has to do with life
Why comparing yourself to others stops you from being awesome
I was in Taumarunui, New Zealand – Day 68 and 1,032km into #WalkNZ. I was just sitting, eating breakfast, really just minding my own business when the Dutch Te Araroa trail walker sat down next to me and proceeded to interrogate me. “How many kilometres are you walking a day?” was his first question as … Continue reading Why comparing yourself to others stops you from being awesome
10 things I learnt about self-doubt walking the Te Araroa Trail
I’d just returned to Auckland after being forced to push pause on my #WalkNZ adventure after injuring my knee at the 2,000km mark. I was catching up with friends and family and one friend asked me: “So how’s the self-doubt? Do you think you’ve conquered it now that you’ve walked 2,000km down the length of … Continue reading 10 things I learnt about self-doubt walking the Te Araroa Trail
Why pushing pause on #WalkNZ doesn’t make me a failure
Three weeks ago, I had to turn around and walk back into civilisation when poor weather conditions and a dodgy leg forced my hand and I couldn’t make it over the second highest point on the Te Araroa trail. I ended up in Hanmer Springs, a spa resort town in the South Island of New … Continue reading Why pushing pause on #WalkNZ doesn’t make me a failure
Answers to your questions on the North Island section of the Te Araroa Trail
101 days. 1,688km walked. And with that I reached Island Bay, the bottom of New Zealand's North Island on the Te Araroa trail and my #WalkNZ adventure. Here are the answers to questions I've been asked about what the journey has been like so far. What has the North Island section of the Te Araroa … Continue reading Answers to your questions on the North Island section of the Te Araroa Trail
Days 90-92 of #WalkNZ: The Tararua mountain range
I stood and stared at the squelchy pool of brown mud in front of me, a mixed look of disbelief and annoyance probably etched across my face. "Really! I mean really," I said out loud, to no one in particular. "Not more mud," I moaned. #WalkNZ was quickly becoming #WalkMuddyNZ. Here I was on the … Continue reading Days 90-92 of #WalkNZ: The Tararua mountain range
Volcano number 22: The Timber Trail Volcano
After the #WalkNZ rigours of the Mangaokewa River Track and a tough 38km one-day road walk, it was time for a decent trail - surely. So thank you Te Araroa for delivering me the Timber Trail, an 80ish kilometre cycle track between Te Kuiti and Taumarunui. Described as a highlight of Te Araroa, this is … Continue reading Volcano number 22: The Timber Trail Volcano
Day 60 of #WalkNZ – WTF was the Mangaokewa River Track?
Day 60 of #WalkNZ didn’t start well – and it didn’t get any better. What with a terrible night's sleep and then being shadowed for a kilometre by a greasy-haired, gap-toothed cyclist out of Te Kuiti, I guess it didn’t bode well for what was to come – the Mangaokewa River Track; a 15km riverside … Continue reading Day 60 of #WalkNZ – WTF was the Mangaokewa River Track?