The Great Outdoors Spring 2019

Gabriel

Stewart

Why did you decide to walk 1,000 miles

around the UK for your gap year?

When I was 16 I was on a train, enjoying

the beautiful English countryside outside

the window, and I thought: I want to be

out there. I wanted to get out and walk,

have an adventure for myself instead of

only enjoying the view when commuting.

I knew the British countryside had a lot to

offer, and I wanted to see it before jetting

off and exploring other areas of the world.

Originally, my plan was to follow the rail

routes as closely as possible; but I quickly

realised that I was delusional and it wouldn’t

be doable. My planning advanced from

there, and suddenly my gap year was sorted.

What kind of training did you endure?

Before I started preparing for this trip, I

hadn’t walked longer than two to three hours

at a time. I was in for a shock! I knew I’d have

to build up my strength and stamina. I had

planned a four-month training schedule, but

because of my job (as a sales assistant in a toy

store) I didn’t manage to stick to that regime.

I ended up cramming all my training into

January before I set off in February, which

involved a lot of walking around London

for hours at a time. It ended up being a bit

intense, and by the time I was setting off on

the actual trip I was recovering from the

training itself. I was a bit naïve to say the least,

and it’s a mistake I wouldn’t make again!

For his gap year, Gabriel Stewart chose to

walk 1,000 miles around the UK, including

routes from Brighton to Norwich and London

to Edinburgh. We spoke to him ahead of the

publication of I Went For A Walk, a memoir

documenting his journey – and how it didn’t

quite go to plan...

What was the highlight of your walks?

There was a night in this random pub in

Norwich after a day of walking, when we (a

friend joined me at this point) got to camp in

the garden, thanks to the generous owners.

Local musicians were playing that night,

and it was just great to get to know the local

people. It reminded me of why I set out

on the journey in the irst place.

In the book, you’re open about your

struggles with mental health. Did being in

the outdoors for so long help with that?

At irst, I was in a bit of a bad place. I kept my

headphones on when walking and I didn’t

realise how much I was blocking everything

out. So later, when I walked with a friend,

I stopped that and realised how much I had

been missing. I was a lot happier – I was

enjoying the experience with company and

being open to nature around me. It was

deinitely a morale-booster.

What would you do differently about the

trip if you could go back?

Pace myself! Again, I was a bit too naïve

and focused on the physical aspects of

the challenge, and I set myself almost

impossible daily goals that weren’t doable

with my itness levels. This was especially

the case after I injured my ankle early

on during my irst walk. I’m still feeling

INTERVIEW: CHIARA BULLEN

Q&A

Gabriel celebrating

the publication of his

book about the journey

ALMANAC

the brunt of that injury now — which,

annoyingly, was caused by my 'lat feet' and

overdoing it, according to my doctor. So, I’d

take it at an easier pace – not just to go easy

on my body but also so I could really take

the time to enjoy myself and where I was. I’d

explore all the villages and towns I passed,

make more of an effort to meet the locals,

and pay a visit to more pubs!

What skills did you develop on your trip?

My navigation skills improved a huge

amount. My Ordnance Survey maps – in

their little waterproof pouch hanging

around my neck – were an absolute

lifesaver. After getting lost on the irst day

and adding an extra four miles to the walk,

I quickly learned not to make mistakes like

that again.

What surprised you most about

your journey?

How much beauty was on my doorstep,

especially in south-east England. Standing

on top of the South Downs for the irst time

was breathtaking. And the fact that you

can get it just from walking. It’s not to be

underestimated, and today I prefer walking

to going out cycling or other forms of

exercise. I try to walk everywhere.

I Went For A Walk is published by Unbound.

24 The Great Outdoors Spring 2019