embroidery

I started walking some of the South West Coast Path in 2011 whilst on holiday in Newlyn, just along from Penzance. I had no idea that a few years later I would decide that I’d like to walk the whole thing in my lifetime. I’m walking sections in no particular order or direction, all accessed by public transport and/or bicycle. I expected it to take decades, but maybe it will only be one (or two)!

I walk sections that I happen to be close to whilst somewhere else for some reasons and I specifically go away to walk some of the path. I sometimes stay in one place and do several circular walks, walk from place to place with my stuff, get the bus or cycle to start/end points and often all of these on one trip.

I usually walk on my own as I tend to appreciate the absolute beauty more in solitude. I’ve had some good walking companions though, namely my husband and my friend Carole.

I did a lot of preparation for both the trip and the quilt that I was to embroider on the way. It’s to scale and shows where we stayed each night with different symbols for campsites, Warmshowers hosts (non-profit hospitality exchange service for people engaging in bicycle touring) and other accommodation. It didn’t quite turn out how I would have liked, but with goodness knows how many hours spent on it I have made my peace with having it up on the wall and showing it off when people come round, flaws and all (often, for me anyway, that’s just how craft/art goes). One day I might have the energy to tackle it again and make something I’m completely happy with.