As a software engineer, I’ve come to understand that the actual act of designing a project is more valuable than any artefact that might result from it. I think of design as a mental exercise; a structured way to digest a problem and formulate a solid foundation for its solution. The recognition that the entries are as much process as product also accounts for the shapelessness and apparent disorder of the work. ...

A meticulously crafted itinerary, pre-determined destinations, planned breaks, that’s not for me, while some people strive to hike with structure and predictability, I find joy in the unexpected; the “unplanned chaos”. I still go prepared, my bag is always packed with the essentials: extra layers, water-proofs, water filter, personal locator beacon and a first aid. The preparation is still key, it’s about being ready for the unexpected, so you can embrace it when it arrives. ...

We all have those moments. The ones where we feel like we tripped and stumbled, maybe even fell flat on our face. We call them “failures”. But what if, instead of viewing these moments as definitive setbacks, we saw them as opportunities to learn and grow? Recently, I had one of those moments. I reacted emotionally to a situation, letting my feelings guide my words and actions. Looking back, it wasn’t productive. It didn’t help me achieve what I wanted, and it likely caused unnecessary tension. ...

As software engineers, we’re - quite rightly - directed towards building things, producing tangible assets. Sometimes though, there’s impact in the intangible; clearing the way for others. Think of it like the zen story of the king and the boulder. One by one his people encountered the obstacle, some complained, others gave up. It wasn’t until a lone peasant arrived with a solution - a lever to move the rock - that progress was made. ...

Everyone loves the glamorous tasks, ones with instant gratification or results that garner visibility/clear benefits. But in the grand scheme of things, it’s often the mundane or the overlooked, that truly makes a difference. Consider, dependency upgrades. They’re not the most exiting thing to deal with and are often problematic, for a multitude of reasons; you’re required to comb through lists, sift through documentation, handle unexpected errors and deal with legal reviews. ...

Introduction After Nadti left The Pennine Way (2022) in 2022, we spoke of reconvening to complete the last half of the walk together; from Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Kirk Yetholm. Well, it didn’t exactly go to plan… The Injury Just a few days after the end of The Cambrian Way (2023) - which ended due to a knee injury - and on the day we arrived an unnecessary journey up Pen-y-ghent left me with the worst knee injury I’ve sustained to date. ...

Introduction In early April 2024, I set out on an adventure to tackle the Lands End to John o’ Groats walk, in actuality I was planning to walk from Lizard Point to Dunnet Head; the southernmost, and northernmost points of the UK. My plan was to tackle the 1,300 mile challenge over a three-month period. I carefully researched the main stages of the route; the list of planned trails included the South West Coast Path, Offa’s Dyke, The Pennine Way, The West Highland Way, The Great Glen Way, and finally, The John o’ Groats Trail. ...

Photos All the photos in this post were provided by the courtesy of Conor Lamb. Introduction In 2023, I set off on The Cambrian Way with Conor - with whom I met on the The Pennine Way (2022) - and his friend Mike; we set out to walk the northern part of The Cambrian Way (Snowdonia), but unfortunately, we didn’t quite make it to the end. ...

Introduction I’ll be honest, I’m still pinching myself after completing The Coast to Coast. This 192-mile route took me from St Bees on the Irish Sea to Robin Hood’s Bay on the North Sea, passing through some of England’s most stunning landscapes. A Friendship Revisited I undertook this walk with Nadti, whom I met on The Pennine Way (2022) two years earlier. We have hiked together a few times since that trip and this one was a chance to relive old memories and make new ones. ...

Introduction I still remember the day I set out on my first thru-hike of The Pennine Way, a 268 mile national trail and the oldest in the UK. It was 2022 and I had been itching to get out into the wilderness ever since I decided to do the walk. Little did I know, it would be an experience that would change me forever. The Weight of Preparation I packed my fears – or rather, I was over-prepared – with far too much food. The weight of all those provisions resulted in a recurring knee injury that’d plagued me throughout the hike. It was a harsh reminder that sometimes, less is more. ...