Kate's GB Coastal walking challenge - Part 2

Kate and her dogs continue to walk the coastline of Britain. She has so far walked from Exmouth to Northumberland and aims to be in John O’Groats, Scotland by the end of the year! Her ultimate aim is to complete the whole circumference of GB, however long that takes! She hopes this fundraiser will both support others through Frazzled Cafe meetings and also help to keep her motivated, defrazzled, and walking! You can follow her adventures via instagram.com/kateontheedge Kate's Story: On 28th July 2020, I took a walk on a beach. I was emerging from a severe flare-up of psoriatic arthritis, triggered in part, by unrelenting stress and traumatic events. I had thrown in the towel as an NHS nurse after nearly 40 years as I just could not do it anymore. I was both physically and mentally unable to cope with the demands. I was burnt out and ‘on the edge’, a depressed and anxious wreck. I felt an overwhelming need to walk away from everything and everybody, an urge I’ve had before when life’s demands become too much to bear, but this time I was going to do it. I walked slowly that first day, just putting one foot in front of the other while the dogs ran on ahead. After an hour or so of walking barefoot in the sand I noticed I was feeling better, my mind was calmer and the aches and pains in my joints were easing. I found, and still find the sound of the sea and my steady pace to be quite meditative. One of the great things about walking is its simplicity, you just put one foot in front of the other and move at your own pace. So, a plan formed in my head to just continue walking the coast of Britain as I saw no reason to stop. I am not trying to break records and I make up the rules which are simply to walk as close to the edge as is safe, avoid military firing ranges and angry farmers, and to stop walking whenever the dogs or I feel the need to. I like walking on my own but some of my best days have been when I’m joined for sections by good friends or family who know not to march ahead fast, but to enjoy. My 2 dogs Yogi and Dirk are great motivators as they encourage me to get up and out from under the duvet. They just love the coast and I share their joy. After many months of walking in sections around the edge of Britain, I am well, physically and mentally, and have found pleasure in life again, but like everyone, I have bad days. It’s good to know I can always check in with the Frazzled Café where there is a lovely bunch of people. We practice mindfulness and talk openly about whatever is stressing us out. It is a calm and safe environment without judgement, a unique charity that is open to anyone stressed out with modern life or perhaps having a good day and wanting to chat and listen. To date, I’ve walked from Exmouth in Devon to the Northumberland border and my target for 2022 is to reach John O’Groats, Scotland. My hope is to raise a minimum of £2000 in donations which will go directly to the Frazzled Café. Each year another new target will set, eventually finishing the circumference of Britain at, I imagine, a ripe old age. You are all welcome to join the beach party at the finish line! Please make a donation if you can and it would be lovely if you would like to follow my journey on: instagram/kateontheedge.com