Back to Where It All Began – St Bees

Ten years and three days ago, I stood at St Bees with very little idea of what I was doing. I’d never walked up a mountain, I’d never gone further than about ten miles, and I certainly didn’t know what lay ahead of me. But I was there, rucksack on my back, staring at the sign at the start of the Coast to Coast and about to take my first steps on a journey that would change everything.

I remember the drive there, the nerves and the excitement all mixed together. At the time, I had no clue how difficult I was going to find it. The climbs, the weather, the sheer effort, it all hit me harder than I could have imagined. Looking back now, if I was to start that same journey again, it would feel completely different, because this time I know exactly what’s involved. Maybe that’s where some of the emotions came from today.

Because yes, today I went back. I stood by the same old sign, still there a decade on. The beach and the headland looked much as they did before, but the difference was all mine. This time, I had two of my best mates trotting by my side, Buddy and Teddy. Back then, it was just me trying to figure it all out. Now, it’s us, a little team, always ready for the next adventure.

I don’t usually get emotional about these things, but that’s twice recently it’s crept up on me. There was something about standing there, remembering the naïve version of myself who had no idea how much that first step would shape his life. It caught me off guard, but in a good way.

The walk up the headland? Far easier than I remembered. Ten years ago it felt like a climb. Today it was just a warm-up. That probably says a lot about how much I’ve grown into this life outdoors.

Going back to St Bees reminded me that every journey has a beginning, and sometimes the most important step is simply deciding to take it.

Here’s to many more.

🐾 Clive, Buddy & Teddy