Alison Howell's
Foot Trails walking holidays
Walking England's canvas
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Foot Trails StoryI grew up on a farm in the middle of rural Wiltshire, South West England. My dad was a farmer, and as a young child we grew our own vegetables and were quite self sufficient. Mum made my brothers and my clothes, our bread and cakes. It's a life which will sound unfamiliar, possibly twee to some, but many rural people know. It was only as I grew older that I realised that not everyone kept and then cooked their own chickens for Sunday lunch (I often helped pluck the feathers), or wore a pinafore made by their mum. I am very lucky to have grown up in rural England and to be able to live and work here still. Though much needs to be done to support rural business. (more about that on my blog). My dad taught me about the crops and wild flowers and I realised how important things like the seasons, weather, rural communities were. Later I realised how different this style of life can be to that which many know. Back to Foot trails. In 1995 David (now my husband) and I quit our jobs, our house and sold our car to walk around 600 miles from the north to the south coast of France. I've never considered myself a "serious" walker. This was about the best way to see and to explore, and walking was certainly the best way to see and explore rural France. Armed with a two man tent (we nicknamed Therese) and a calor gas stove we rose with the sun, walked in rhythm with the sights and sounds of nature around us (fragrant lavender fields, bright gorgeous sunflowers and spectacular mountain sunsets) and slept when the sun set. I was hooked. Returning home, the lure of a "proper" job and 9 to 5 existence did not seem very attractive. I had amazed myself at how much I enjoyed my walking. The wonderful things it enabled me to experience and see. It was so relaxing to be close to nature and out on the open road. I wanted other people to have such wonderful experiences and freedom, and I desperately wanted to show people that walking was not all about knee length socks! It could be enjoyable, fun, cultured and inspiring. I knew if I was going to encourage more people to walk, the way David had encouraged me, then there would definitely be no two man tents and no calor gas stoves! I wanted my creature comforts, a great bed, indeed some luxury after my walk, and a delicious meal to reward my efforts with. The concept for Foot Trails was born. Foot Trails slowly emerged and evolved - a slightly quirky mix of inspiring local walks, fabulous award winning English country inns, creature comforts and rural sights. But it worked. With my rural and farming roots I wanted the company to be a part of rural England. It is important to me that the company is managed responsibly, partnering rural people and rural businesses. David would research and plan the walking routes. So that's how Foot Trails came about. Thank you for reading my story, and by choosing Foot Trails, for becoming yourself a vital link in the vibrancy of rural South West's economy and rural communities. |
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