By my standards, 2018 to date has been a bad year, the first since I semi retired. I made loads of plans last January but they sort of evaporated when I got a leg injury in February which did not heal until late May, plus some family illness which have all now resolved itself.
I've managed a Meet in the Lakes, two separate weeks in France and nearly a week in Wales. I had a short period of feet problems, but now resolved and I'm just getting passed a brusied little toe.
I now find that everything negative is behind me, so for me where to hike next? I really fancy a longer hike. I've considered hiking the Pennine Way again but although it is the cheapest I keep losing enthusiasm for the idea.
One of my January plans was to hike the GR20 (now too expensive to get to and from) or the GR5. The GR5 is a possibility but I'm now also considering the GR11 in Spain, starting at Irun and then hike to Auritz. I could then turn onto the GR65 to St. Jean Pied du Port and return to Hendaye, France on the GR10. The route appeals to me, I've already walked from Hendaye to John Pied du Port so doing it the other way around is appealing. My problem now is to turn my idea into an actual journey and hike.
This highlights for me another problem, for me it gets worse year by year, maybe some of you experience it as well? The hiking route idea is now in my head but as I get older the one thing that really, really bores me is making the journey to the hiking start point. During the past few years I have waited for so long, sometimes hours, at airports, trains and bus stations, sitting on cross channel ferries, or driving my car, just to get to the start of a hike. The novelty of travelling for me has really worn off. Returning time can be just as bad, especially when feeling exhausted as well. When I start to plan I find myself groaning as to how long it takes to get anywhere but I know it has to be done.