Introduction

Here we are again, Deborah & Gwen, daughter and mother, now 46 and 77. This is the story of our Pennine Way adventure, over 20 days in May 2008. Anyone wishing to know a bit more about our backgrounds should take a look at our Coast-to-Coast journal.

Firstly, an apology to those who have been patiently waiting to hear our story. There is a reason for its delay. During the summer of 2008 I decided to change my career path and went back to University to study podiatry. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, podiatry is branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg. With an interest in sport and a background in physiology I have always been fascinated with the biomechanics of the foot. Once qualified my aim will be to help keep people healthy and mobile. Presumably, like me, you are interested in long distance walking so I’m sure you will appreciate the importance of healthy feet. Anyway, as a result of all the academic study the writing up of this journal became less of a priority. I have now successfully completed my first year of study and have promised Mum that I would get the journal finished and published here on the Walking Places

How it all began

Mum and I lived on a high for weeks following our Coast-to-Coast adventure in 2006 and often talked of attempting a second long distance footpath. 2007 was a year of GCSE’s and A’levels for my two eldest children so I felt my presence was needed at home but for Mum’s 77^th birthday I sent her the Cicerone guidebook for the Pennine Way. By Christmas the route was planned and by March all the accommodation was booked. This time Mum did much of the research, using her recently acquired computer skills. I think Mum’s announcement of her intentions raised a few eyebrows but her argument was that at aged 77 the Pennine Way was never going to get any easier. The choice of baggage transfer companies was not as extensive as for the C2C and we settled for Brigantes, the only company that covered the southern end of the route. They proved to be a wise choice – our baggage was always delivered on time, the drivers were delightful and towards the end of our adventure they went beyond the call of duty to ensure our satisfaction – but more of that later…

Deb researching the route on the computer

Mum arrives at Sheffield Station

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