On the 3rd June 2002 I set out to do Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk: 195 miles from St Bees Head on the west coast to Robin Hood's Bay on the east. I was inspired mainly by the fact that my Grandad had undertaken the same journey 22 years prior (he was then aged 70). I was also keen on the challenge and the prospect of spending ten days amongst fine surroundings and away from the every day distractions of my working life in Nottingham. My intention was to really "get away from it all" by camping each night, cooking (or perhaps more accurately: 'heating up') food that I would buy along the way and carrying all my own gear. Amongst the items I chose to carry I had with me a notepad in which I occasionally jotted down details of the journey and the contents of which I have transcribed. However the notes I made were only ever meant to serve as the basis for the account which I am now able to write in the warmth of my home some five months later…