A woman who was born on the Isle of Wight is nearing the end of an epic walk around the entire Great British coastline.
Emma Schroeder was due to begin her walk in early 2020 only for the country to go into lockdown and she had to put her plans on hold.
Eventually, she was able to set off on 7th July 2021, starting at Lulworth Cove in Dorset and heading in a clockwise direction.
After more than 2 years of trekking with the sea on her left, Emma recently arrived back on the South Coast and travelled back to her native Isle of Wight before she heads back to the mainland to complete the last stretch back to Dorset.
Reflecting on her walk, Emma said:
“There have been so many moments that have made me grateful for choosing to take the 1st step in my trek around the coast of mainland Britain. Seeing dolphins splash along the ocean in the Highlands, watching tiny puffins jump off cliffs in Yorkshire, camping on the beach and seeing so many shooting stars I ran out of things to wish for.
“Walking around the Isle of Wight has been a highlight for me, since I was born here and I’ve enjoyed having the chance to see my family, revisit all the beaches from my childhood, and of course wash my disgusting clothes.
“1 thing I didn’t anticipate when I started my walk was the kindness of absolute strangers, who have given me everything from encouraging words, to a cheeky pint, to a hot meal and bed for the night. There is a lot of kindness in the world and I think we often underestimate just how much of it exists.
Article continues below this advertisement “Of course in the words of great poet Ronan Keating, life is a rollercoaster, and I don’t think you can appreciate the highs without the occasional low. When I look back on my walk there have been undoubtedly tough times, but I think things need to go wrong occasionally to shape your character and teach you resilience.
“‘It’s character building’ I would mutter to myself as I picked umpteen slugs off my tent, invented new yoga poses as I contorted myself to pull ticks off my back, or got caught in an unexpected downpour as soon as I’d taken all my waterproofs off, only for the sun to beam down as I covered myself up in a raincoat and over trousers, rinse and repeat.”
“With each step, I’ve not only experienced the incredible beauty of the coastline, but also the endless generosity of strangers. It’s been the hardest and most rewarding journey I’ve ever taken.”
You can find out more about Emma’s walk on her Instagram and website.
Well done Emma. If you need a Gabion cage at any time you know a discount is awaiting.
Thanks so much I.V. Searle, if I ever have the urge to build a sea wall or stop my pet rocks from escaping I will be in touch.
“the great poet; Ronan Keating” smh
‘Keates’ and ‘Keating’ are easily confused.
I see the website asks people to buy Emma a pint ~ is there a GoFundMe page where people can donate towards this lifelong holiday trip?
No there isn’t. Emma self-funded her journey by working and saving. I was fortunate to meet her whilst walking in Cornwall. There is no need for your prejudice and negativity.
Well, it’s not ‘prejudice’, although it’s arguably negativity. Sarcasm would probably be nearer the mark.
Emma’s obviously in a very fortunate position, one that most of us can’t hope to replicate in our lifetimes, that she can afford to take 2-3 years out to go hiking around the UK. Am I jealous? Not of the walking, living in a tent etc, but yes to the idea of several years off work/studying and doing whatever you want to do. There’s many, many things I’d rather do if I had 2 or 3 years spare and the money to do it than walk around the UK, but each to their own.
I suppose a follow-up question should be, not is there a GoFundMe page, but what do you do now? Does walking around the UK look good on a CV? Perhaps, I don’t know.
A brilliant achievement. I thought my recent 500 mile Camino to Santiago was good but this puts it into perspective. Wow!
She is right to remind us that there is still kindness in the world.
Unfortunately not replicated by some of the negative comments on this story.
Awesome, Emma – it’s been so much fun living your adventure through your funny and inspirational posts. See you at old harry rocks on Saturday!
.. and wait for the tired cliched account of her “journey of discovery, finding herself as well as lots of real characters along the way”. Yawn … One every week at the moment.
Very fortunate she can spend two years walking…
What a tremendous personal achievement. I hope that you have encouraged others to seek their own personal challenges. Whenever you watch the weather forecast and see a map of the country you’ll be reminded of what you have done. It’s good to see young people getting positive publicity. Well done.
Wow, what a superstar you are Emma! We walked the Tennyson Trail the other day – & that wasn’t easy!! Well done you.