Ramsgate to Ranish

Released from the constraints of covid-19 and approaching fifty-nine Valerie sets out mid January 2022 to walk from the Kent coast to North West Scotland. On a meandering route through Southern England she revisits her former homes, battling with mud, blisters, storms and floods. Darkness sees her tucking her tent into the corner of fields or sometimes staying with friends. After achieving her long held ambition to walk the Pennine Way she reaches Scotland and then, via footpaths and canals, the Central Belt. Forced to stop and return home early due to injury she reconsiders her planned route. Eventually a year later Valerie is able to return to finish the challenge.

Set against a backdrop of political changes she describes the places she walks through interspersed with anecdotes from her own past and that of her parents. Details of wildlife as well as interesting and sometimes amusing encounters with passers-by, dog walkers, cyclists and even a vicar enable Valerie to present a picture of Britain as she found it then.