About Me

My name is David Marsden and I was a professional gardener. (I wrote about gardening, wildlife and travel on my other blog, ‘The Anxious Gardener.‘ That blog is currently snoozing but I may well give it a poke with a sharp stick soon.)

Blencathra Cloud Inversion — *Cloud inversion, Blencathra*

My great love is, was and always will be walking; especially distance walking.

Walking Gardener (1) — *Me, wearing goodness only knows what. Offa’s Dyke Path. September 1983.*

I’ve walked long-distance footpaths since I was a teenager. At eighteen I completed The Ridgeway,

Walking Gardener (2) — *A rest on The Cleveland Way. January 1983*

and shortly afterwards I finished my second, and possibly still my favourite path, The Cleveland Way.

In my early twenties, I moved to London where clubbing and various careers got between me and my boots. I didn’t walk a long-distance path for over ten years and that’s a regret. But then, returning to Earth in 2008, I walked part of The Cumbria Way and I was hooked on distance walking again.

Turret 44b Walltown Gap — *Hadrian’s Wall Path, March 2014*

To escape the trivia and monotony of every-day life and experience, close up, the beauty of the British Isles is a sharp, barbed hook. I love the solitary nature of my walks: the challenges of British weather; the slow progress over a vast, often stunning, landscape; trekking from one hot bath to the next and seeking out a decent photo. And a decent pint. Or two. As often as I can, I plan a walk, pre-book all of my accommodation, pack a rucksack and go.

Dales Way Day 2 Burnsall to Cray (17) — *The Dales Way, February 2012*

I generally go early in the year when the paths are empty and the hills quiet; accommodation easily available. ‘The Walking Gardener’ is a record of some of my walks.

I completed some long-distance footpaths too long ago now to write up an account. They include: The Cotswold Way, The Vanguard Way, The Icknield Way, The Ridgeway, The 1066 Country Walk, The Cleveland Way and The Tabular Hills Walk. I have yet to complete Offa’s Dyke, first attempted in 1983. But never say never.

*Some used, some not. My HMSO Long-Distance Footpath Guides*

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Welcome to ‘The Walking Gardener.’