hmm a little back story would be a nice idea I think: My family always went on treks and hikes over everywhere, will explain later. Never really enjoyed them into I turned them into army games (I was little...) but of course this got a little old so I eventually lost all respect for the wilderness. This period only lasted a little while until we kind of did a family swap with someone in the centre of London. We stayed at theirs first, and they had never been to the beach, the moors, never even camped. My brothers weren't at all interested so I took their kids out for a camping trip, all 3 of them 14-19 while I was just about 14 maybe 13. I can barely My enthusiasm sent me into overdrive and have never not enjoyed a little walk across my local.
Now I live in Devon, UK. We're within an hour of the finest surfing beaches, Exmoor, Dartmoor and a little further is Bodmin moor. We also have several large woods or forests. Having travelled most of Britain now, I honestly believe I live in the most beautiful diverse area in all of Britain.
Do you like to hike?
Yes. It's not a regular thing any more but if a party is over and I'm still buzzed, a hike it is. Probably my favourite thing to do on drugs as well.
What is your favorite hiking spot?
I don't know if this is one of my fantasies or not since I haven't been up there a while (probably a good 9-10 years), but after walking for about 8 hours in the direction of behind my house you get to this most amazing spot where you can see Wales, Lundy and I swear most of Devon. You can see the patchwork quilt of fields, the sea, the coasts and I just remember sitting with Mum on this log we pulled up this hill watching this spectacular sunset over the sea and feeling the chill of the sun disappearing. It brings shivers to me now. I plan on making this trip with a female friend of mine that we both only recently found out each other enjoys a bit of psychoactive abuse, I'm just worried it's not what I imagine it to be.
Spiritually though, there's a route which starts at a layby in the road somewhere in Dartmoor. We park up there on the same day every year and have done so every day since my Dad's father died. Crossing the road we pass between two old gate posts into an ancient graveyard with very few stones remaining. There's a dead old tree he used to sit on while we all played cricket on the little space to our left, another family tradition for 100s of years. The boundaries marked out by the road, the old tree, a dried out river and my favourite two little trees which are always the richest crimson whenever we go. Strangely it's always dry on this day. Never too hot, never too cold, always dry and never too cloudy. Just right. Never been different once. Looking through the middle of the 2 trees shows us the next target. Another little gateway restored recently with out of place white-marble. After that there's a faint trail leading us to the place my grandfather lies to rest - Haytor Rock. The national trust wouldn't actually allow us to bury him there, but we did. This is where he would walk the dog, Tara, every single day rain or shine. We had no idea why really... it was miles from his home and took up at least 4 hours of his day while he was fit but he did it. I always like to say a little prayer to all 3 of my fallen grandparents and we make our way home on a completely different track. Really means a lot to me, words cannot justify.
Why do you like/dislike hiking?
You can do it on your own or with others, either way I make sure the scenario is simply flawless (except Snowdon... Never had a cloudless day
![:\](https://bluelight.org/xf/BL_Images/Orig_Emoji/wrygrin.gif "wry grin :\")
Where do you suggest others should go hiking?
Places that mean something to you, in the countryside, along a beach, at day, at night, for sun rise, for sun set, sober or under the influence but never anywhere boring. Oh and fuck Norfolk, it's so flat and uninteresting.
Any cool hiking stories?
Many but my poor literacy skills would never do them justice. Will try to find some pictures.
So this map vaguelly covers where I've gone for nice long walks. Looking at it now, I've barely covered half which is disappointing.
Scotland
I'm not entirely sure where we went exactly in Scotland, but often we'd finally come home at like 2am because of the huge drives. I've only been there once, for two weeks and it was probably best time for animals - saw ospreys, golden eagles, red squirrels etc. I also saw this huge huge bird flying through the trees not far from us, but it was dark so it was difficult to work out what it was... whatever it was it was bigger than the golden eagles we saw and was in a wood so couldn't have been them.
Ireland
Basically lived there for 3 or 4 summer holidays covering the coast clockwise. First time we ever went there it was hottest place in Europe at the time - 38C so we didn't actually get around to doing much walking. My favourite place here is Inishboffin, the entire place is stuck in like early 1900s, it's now only accessible by a fairly small ferry where minor food supplies and transported but most importantly for them the tourists. Seriously, they are repping original tractors and have stone houses, shits cray. Also I think it means Island of the cow. We stayed in some cottage looking out to it, next to the Burren (not a fan of stone). It's probably my favourite place I've been to away from 'home'. Would love to retire and live there.
Wales
Mothers land, for some reason always rained no matter what. Don't really have anything fascinating to say about Wales tbph, maybe pics would refresh my memory but I can say Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
England
South West is best. Norfolk way is shite
Oh, also I've been to the most Northerly, Easterly, Westerly, and Southerly points of both Mainland UK and UK+Ireland
