The story of Isle Walk Purbeck
My first experience of the Isle of Purbeck was as a 16 year old geography student on a field-trip from my secondary school in Cambridgeshire. I knew then that I would return. As a young teacher I bought my first house in Swanage in 1994, and have lived here ever since. For the last 23 years I have lived with my family in the lee of Nine Barrow Down, a great place to raise children and teach them to enjoy the hills and coast.
During the pandemic of 2020 walking became an essential, not just a pastime. Despite working from home, I walked everyday, usually up on Nine Barrow Down, to escape work, the busy-ness of family life and the stress of a pandemic-stricken world. For the first time, I began to realise that walking helped maintain feeling good about life, as well as physical fitness. By thinking ‘I’ll walk’ I maintained a balance in my life, at a time of unprecedented stress and anxiety.
Me & My Shadow
For the last 10 years I have been walking with Mr Shadow, our gorgeous golden retriever dog. Come rain or shine, he was the motivation to get out and get walking. You will see that Mr Shadow is the star of many of the early photos on Isle Walk Purbeck and our shared walks form the basis of the routes we outline on the website. During the pandemic of 2020 Mr Shadow accompanied me and the family on daily walks as we plodded and paced our way across the Purbeck Hills and along stretches of stunning beaches and coastlines. Sadly, Mr Shadow passed away in his sleep in September 2020. Although we miss our companion, he continues to walk with us as our Shadow. The concept of Isle Walk Purbeck is in part a tribute to Mr Shadow; I hope you will enjoy the photos of him and share in the spirit of his companionship.
Read our Ramblings
Meet Cat, she’s walking home, a very very long way! 630 miles to be exact, along the South West Coast Path from Minehead to The Isle of Purbeck, Dorset. Join Cat on her journey as she shares the ups and downs of her adventurous walk home.