Follow along as Harriet embarks on her 900-mile journey to John O'Groats, trekking through some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.
We’ll be sharing highlights from Harriet's walk, featuring the people and businesses who lend a helping hand along the way.
Community is at the heart of Harriet’s challenge, and you’re invited to participate. If you’d like to join Harriet for a stretch of the walk, contact susie@dementiaadventure.co.uk.
Join The D Tour and help make a difference for those living with dementia.
Thank you to macs adventure, our headline podcast sponsor.
Listen to The D Tour podcast here
And I'm off! Beautiful Cornwall is calling
The adventure begins
What a day! It’s beautiful weather and I’ve finally set off for my 900 mile adventure raising money for Dementia Adventure.
I spoke to many people, including many locals, who told me about the harsh tin and arsenic mining industrial past of this now beautiful stretch of the Cornish Coast. As I wandered past the former mine shafts and pumping stations I could almost hear the crash of metal and the shouts of toiling men that must have filled these valleys.
On a happier note I had a lovely swim at Cape Cornwall – me in a bikini everyone else in wet suits!
I spent the night at a beautiful campsite just by Pendeen Campsite and watched the sunset.
Cornish pasties, ice cream, happy holiday makers…
This area of Cornwall was once a vast mining complex, one of the richest in the world and a hub of technological innovation.
But for the workforce who had to crawl through the seams of tin, often extending under the sea and for the men and boys who worked in the arsenic works, a bi product of tin, life was harsh and short.
As I walked through the landscape, I felt the heaviness of this industrial past.
⛺️ The Old Coastguard Campsite
⛏️ Gweever Mining Museum
🥪 Little Wooden Cafe, Cape Cornwall
Smells of the sea
Catching waves!
Walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats may sound crazy. But it’s a simple way to live.
There’s no agenda.
The path doesn’t judge you. And you can live in the moment.
Want to surf but can’t afford Australia? Come to this stretch of the UK coastline. Miles of beautiful sandy beaches and Atlantic waves are perfect for surfing.
A salt tang in the air and the sounds of people playing in the water made this a walk that reminded me of precious times spent at the beach with friends and family.
I finished the day off by soaking myself in the beautifully scented bath products produced by Land&Water.
The mint in the shampoo reminded me of my garden at home and my mum chopping mint to make mint sauce. I love how our sense of smell evokes memory.
Listen to episode two of the podcast; Sea Shells and Smells.
Thank you
Podcast episode two – Sea Shells and Smells
A big thank you to land&water the podcast’s sponsor for episode two, and our headline sponsor, Macs Adventure.
Born on the shoreline, land&water is a British natural bath and body brand which evokes that warm glow after time in the elements.
The land&water products were sparked by years of enjoying a lifestyle of ‘active relaxation’ and witnessing the warm glow of guests coming inside after days well spent on the beach and in nature, Pix set about capturing its essence—to literally, bottle it.
Battling high winds
The daily cake
This is a spectacular part of this Cornish coastline on the South West Coast Path.
Sure, there were more sandy bays filled with surfers 🏄♀️
But it was the rock formations that made my day.
The granite blocks that form most of the coastline are replaced here by sedimentary rocks, a mix of sandstone, siltstone, and mudstone, to create these fabulous geometric shapes.
I’m only sorry I couldn’t stay longer to see how the tides affected the view of the rocks.
My fear of heights was tested today as I battled through high winds above these wonderfully prehistoric cliffs.
The serene Bay of Padstow was a welcome breath of tranquillity before I battled again around Pentire Point.
I’m so glad I have my heavy-duty coat and waterproof trousers. They add nearly 1kg to my pack, but they’re worth it on a day like this.
I eat cake virtually every day. Today, it was coffee and walnut, which I manifested on Stepper Point. It appeared when I hopped off the ferry at Rock. I walked into the first cafe I saw, and there it was, waiting patiently for me.
Listen to episode two of the podcast; Sea Shells and Smells.
We're all fellow spirits
Connection on the trail…
Faced with a misty whiteout, I turned inland, walked down lovely country lanes, and listened to Poldark on audible.
I rejoined the coast path at Milford to find this spectacular beach. Quite a change from the sandy surfer beaches I’ve become used to.
This beach spoke of millions of years of geological turmoil. Huge cliff faces with geometric rock strata and fallen slabs of rock that looked like the petrified slices of a giant loaf of bread.
Pushing on to Bude, I was beginning to reach my ‘Seriously, where is the end?’ state of mind when I saw a figure sitting on a bench and waving at me up ahead.
I did the classic look-behind-she-must-be-waving-at-someone-else move. And then the mystery figure called my name.
Flummoxed, I walked closer and saw it was Anne, a lovely cyclist I camped next to on my first night in Cornwall.We chatted happily on a bench, looking out to sea, for an hour or so. When I finally got up to walk to Bude, it was with a spring in my step.
It’s very interesting to note what gives me energy on the trail. Cornish pasties and milkshakes, obviously. But also the sudden brilliance of a hillside purple with heather, the dance of two butterflies in front of my feet, and, of course, the wonderful buzz you get from connecting with a fellow spirit.
And we’re all fellow spirits ❤️
Listen to episode two of the podcast; Sea Shells and Smells.
Plan your own walking adventure
As Harriet walks her route, we’ll share itineraries from our headline sponsor, Macs Adventure to highlight how you can participate in your own walking adventure.
Macs Adventure offer self-guided, holidays for independent, active people who don’t want to be part of the crowd or be restricted by set dates and schedules.
The itineraries enable you to go with the people you choose at your own pace without worrying about planning routes or arranging trip logistics.
Follow Harriet's trail - South West Coast Path
Padstow to St Ives
- Walk the Padstow to St Ives section of the South West Coast Path.
- Freshly caught fish and chips at Rick Stein’s in Padstow.
- Walking for miles along white and pristine sandy beaches.
- The wild Atlantic surf crashes into the cliffs below you.
- Selection of local Cornish galleries and traditional culinary delights.
Goodbye steps!
Hello Devon.
Now that I’m in Devon, things have really changed.
Obviously, it was not my breakfast, which was my by-now standard meal of scrambled eggs, sausages, brown toast, and coffee.
Now there are no more cliffs and no more stairs! Instead, cool green woodland through which I only got fleeting glimpses of a Caribbean-blue sea.
Finally, around the area of Babbacombe Cliff, an empty and stony beach appeared. I went down to sit on a rock and had a little cry. This was an area where I had several family holidays with my Mum, my children, my sister, and her family—happy memories of the 8 of us beetling around in a 3-car convoy and playing on beaches. A small haul of shells and stones was always amassed by my Mum, who loved beach combing and had an eagle eye for tiny treasures.
When I reached Greencliffe, I headed east away from the coast to Bideford, and that was it: my last coastal walk until I reached Inverness and walked up the Eastern Coast of Scotland to John O’Groats.
I was sad to say goodbye to the sea which has been such a constant and endlessly fascinating companion for 12 days.
But I am not sad to say goodbye to the goddam steps!!
To learn more about my journey and why I am raising money, visit The D Tour main page here and listen to episode three of the podcast; We’re going to be friends
Misty Moors
Lucy joins the trail
I had been worried about this walk that took me into the heart of Exmoor. Would there be treacherous bogs and unnavigable expanses of misty moor?
I needn’t have worried. Today was one of my best days yet.
I started off walking with my trusty companion Lucy, who has got the walking and talking bug!
We had a happy time exploring lush woodland with more shades of green than there are names for.
I had to leave her in Bratton Fleming after a typical West Country hiking meal of pasties and fizzy drinks.
While Lucy returned to everyday home life, I walked on down gorgeous country lanes under a perfect English Summer sky.
Finally, I entered Exmoor and was blown away as a prairie-like landscape unrolled in front of me like the best carpet ever.
No people, just dried grasses blowing in the summer breeze and a few sheep.
There’s a reason why Devon rhymes with heaven.
To learn more about my journey and why I am raising money, visit The D Tour main page here and listen to episode three of the podcast; We’re going to be friends
The D Tour Took A Detour
Entering the bog.
Today, the moors made me suffer!
***Support Harriet on her mission to raise £25,000 for the Dementia Adventure Support Fund***
I set off in a thick mist, and the path on the map quickly petered out into a squelchy expanse of bog hidden beneath head-high clumps of purple moor grass.
I quickly realised this was ideal territory for falling flat on my face in the mud.
Luckily, cows had left tracks. So, I abandoned the map and focused on following in their footsteps to the edge of the field, where I negotiated barbed wire and brambles to reach the calm of a needle-carpet fir plantation.
My next plan was to reach a road and civilisation.
Through a careful combination of OS map and cow tracks, I stumbled onto a road feeling like a survivor of a particularly challenging reality TV show.
I’m on Exmoor; get me out of here! 🙂
Thankfully, the rest of the day was more straightforward: pretty heather-covered hills, cake, coffee, and a beautiful rainbow to bolster my spirits for the final miles.
I was so happy to reach Roadwater. But to be fair, I’m happy to reach my destination every day!!
The Kindness of Strangers
The donations flow in.
One of the highlights of my 900-mile D Tour is meeting so many lovely folks along the way.
Their generosity has been astounding.
Viv, whom I met at her farm outside Hay On Wye, gave me this homemade spiral today.
Viv also donated £10 to my Dementia Adventure fundraising.
Yesterday, I met a lovely lady named Sheila on the walk to Pandy. She donated £60 to Dementia Adventure and introduced me to her nephew’s pub, where I was given a free drink and £20 towards the fundraising.
I met Sally when I walked past her garden on my way to Bridgewater. We had a lovely chat, and she, too, donated £10 to Dementia Adventure.
Sally also introduced me to Pete and Cathy at the local pub. Pete gave me a free drink and then closed his pub to give me a lift to my hotel.
To all of these people and to everyone else who has so kindly donated to Dementia Adventure through their website, THANK YOU. 🙏
You make every mile worthwhile.
Find out more about The D Tour and how you can donate here.
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Thank you
Podcast episode three – Yep, we’re going to be friends
A big thank you to Collacott Farm for supporting episode two of the podcast, and of course to macs adventure, our headline sponsor.
In this episode we explore the topic of connection through friendships, music and animal therapy.
Connect with your family and friends with a stay in Collacott Farm’s holiday cottages in a beautiful rural setting in Devon or enrol in Horse Connection – a new course which explorers horse behaviour, ethology and communication.
Farmland And Flowers
Sunny trails
What a fabulous day walking through the Somerset levels. I loved the intensely farming nature of this landscape and the grids of drainage ditches that crisscross the land.
The flat, easy paths gave my legs a rest, and I had time to notice the beautiful wildflowers.
Quiet, restful and full of sun ☀️
To learn more about my journey and why I am raising money, visit The D Tour main page here and listen to episode three of the podcast; Yep, we’re going to be friends.
Cake and Company
My Birthday!
Today, I celebrated my 61st birthday 🎁 by walking with these two lovelies: speech therapist Sue Hinds and psychologist Dr Raja.
Together we walked along Offa’s Dyke with spectacular views of the majestic river Wye.
My sandwich had another great view of Devil’s Pulpit, and we found a fairy-tale yew tree winding itself around a rock formation.
I even got a gift: a copy of Dr Raja’s book A Way With the Fairies. The book follows the story of an eight-year-old boy’s experience as his mathematical genius father fights dementia.
As I’m always interested in the relationship between children and older people, I can’t wait to begin this book on my next day off.
Sue and Raja walked briskly, much faster than my usual meanderings, and we reached Monmouth in double quick time.
Listen to our conversation here
Gospel Path
Today was a great day
My 3rd day on Offas Dyke started with a rainbow 🌈 The winds were very high, so I ditched going over the Black Mountains and figured out a low-level route.
The weather brightened, and accompanied by a friend, we explored beautiful wooded paths that sheltered us from the winds.
By afternoon, the sun shone brightly, and I looked wistfully up at the Black Mountains, wishing we were there.
I needn’t have worried.
The walk over the Gospel path resulted in one of the most awe-inspiring views I have ever seen.
It was a fantastic day of walking with one very happy hiker.
Episode 4 of the podcast is now live. Listen to ‘Clouds In My Coffee‘
Clouds in my coffee - thank you
Podcast episode 4 – Clouds in my coffee
A big thank you to Jimmy’s Original Iced Coffee for sponsoring episode 4 of the podcast.
This episode reflects on “Food, Glorious Food” and its power to nourish both body and soul. We discuss and reflect on the emotional impact of shared meals and how to navigate meals with someone living with Dementia.
Jimmy’s iced coffee is crafted with single-origin Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee, semi-skimmed milk, and just the right amount of sugar, to deliver a refreshingly smooth taste.
Sparking joy with Siân
Singalong
Deliver a song and dance session at a care home, of course!
Thanks so much to actress Sian Reeves, who sang songs from her beautiful album Remember This, a collection of singalong classics aimed at the older population and care homes. The excellent staff and residents at Wheatlands Care Home made us feel so welcome, and we had so much fun singing together ❤️
Meeting a legend
Today I took a detour from The D Tour
What an immense pleasure and honour it was to meet Tony Christie. At 81 years old and with a dementia diagnosis, he still managed to fit in two hours of interviews with me, the BBC, ITV, and Dementia Adventure—all before he headed to the studio to record four songs for his upcoming album.
Tony is an ambassador for Music For Dementia. He embodies the power of music to stimulate the brain and create vitality and connection.
I then had the honour of being invited to Tony’s home, where his lovely wife Sue treated me like family, serving me ham sandwiches and cups of tea in the kitchen.
I am so happy and warm after being in the orbit of this beautiful couple. Together, they radiate love and music and make the world a better place 💕
New landscapes
Purple heather and blue skys
Today, as I moved into Staffordshire and walked along the canals that crisscross this region, I felt like I was moving into a new landscape and history. The canals reminded me of the industrial heritage and innovation that characterised the 19th-century Midlands.
Also, it was interesting to note that I walked faster than a canal boat!
The fields glowed with their golden stubble in the sunlight, and I passed through some pretty wooded lanes.
But this walk’s highlight was crossing the heathland of Cannock Chase, resplendent with purple heather glowing against a blue sky.
Company on the trail
I saved my Aunt’s life!
Today, my 79-year-old aunt Michaela swapped her slippers for hiking boots and joined me on the trail.
She climbed over countless rotten styles and metal gates until we found some delicious apples to scrump.
After meeting many sheep and traversing more tricky terrain and styles, we finally lurched into the Dog and Partridge at Swinscoe for a hearty dinner, washed down with vino.
This was when we noticed Michaela had torn her jeans while crossing a field full of curious cows. Apparently, it was my fault for screaming at Michaela to “Get through this gate now; the cows are coming.”
Michaela was so shocked at my loss of calm that she tripped over a root and fell onto her knees in front of said cows.
My loud but firm shouts kept the cows at bay while Michaela got through the gate to safety.
Michaela thinks I was overreacting…some thanks I get for saving her life 😂
The Peak District
Simple steps
Today, I left Staffordshire and entered the Derbyshire Peak District.
As soon as I entered Dovedale, the poorly maintained paths of Staffordshire were replaced by lovely waymarking and excellent paths, which I appreciate more with every mile I hike.
I fell in love with Derbyshire from the start. It has curious hills like Thorpe Cloud, the burbling Dove River, and weird and wonderful rock outcrops. I loved walking along the trails laid on disused railways, which reminded me of the area’s industrial heritage.
The hills are so green and rolling and covered with wildflowers.
A beautiful, simple day of walking through a gorgeous landscape.
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