Week 1

Set out from Westminster Cathedral at 7.40am. The destination was Portsmouth, 130km away on the south coast.

Day 1: Left London via the Thames path/Richmond park and ended up camping on playing fields off the A3.

Day2: After a grim plod through the suburbs we made it to the M25.

Day 3: Beautiful walk through the Surrey hills to Dorking. Climbed up onto the North Downs at Leith Hill and camped looking down across the Sussex weald to the South Downs.

Day 4&5: Traversed the weald via a zigzag of footpaths and bridleways. A couple of blisters each but packs feeling comfortable. Camped on the edge of South Downs with stunning view leading down to Portsmouth and the sea. Harrassed by cows.

Day 6: Camped 10km outside Portsmouth in a park. Slept with one eye open.

Day 7: Arrived at the port Travelodge by 1pm and spent the next 2 days getting the kit combination right and giving feet a rest. Had all my hair chopped off which feels great, but is a shock to the system. A big thank you to Leanne for the free haircut.

First week was a great warm up for the 1900km ahead of us. As the days went on and muscles relaxed we began to really enjoy the walking. Only having to think about putting one foot in front of the other, where to pitch tent, and what simple meal to cook is immensly calming. Feel very lucky to have 4 months of this ahead of me.