Goodness, what a day! From leaving my house at 6:30 a.m., to the three-hour drive, the pre-event nerves as I waited for people to arrive, to the drive back and finally getting home - feeling a mixture of tiredness, gratitude, and a need to process the day. Yesterday was definitely an experience.

I've decided to reflect through the lens of my head, heart, and gut because each offers a different perspective, all of which are equally real, valid, and worth noticing.

Head

If I’m honest, my head’s reflection is one of disappointment - completely irrational, I know. But isn’t that just how the mind works sometimes?

Jonathan and I had planned the route carefully. Despite the weather being incredibly kind to us - clear blue skies, warm sunshine, and, miraculously, actual water at the source (which isn’t always the case), it felt like the universe was rooting for us, however, our planned eight-mile walk turned out to be a little too ambitious.

As we were in what felt like the home-straight, we encountered a section of flooding in the village of Ashton Keynes, making it impossible to continue along our intended path. By this point, we had already walked ten miles and estimated another three miles to reach Cricklade via a detour, which would have added another two hours to the four we had already walked.

It was approaching 4 p.m., and with only an hour of daylight left, none of us were equipped with head torches or the necessary gear for walking along country lanes in the dark. It was also a longer walk than Jonathan was used to or recommended to attempt following his recent back surgery.

With Ubers and taxis in very short supply in such a rural area, we decided to head to the village pub to ask for recommendations. On the way we passed a kind mum, who was walking her children home from school and asked if she knew of any taxi services. She recommended the local bus company - Ellison Coaches - who, to our relief, the owner had a kind heart and a minibus available and gave us a lift back to Cricklade.

So the seven of us piled into the minibus for the ride back to the car park. It wasn’t the ending we had envisioned, but there was a moment of collective reflection. The change in plans, while frustrating, reinforced the reality that nature, like life, presents unexpected obstacles, and adaptation is part of the journey.

Heart

More than anything, I feel grateful.

Eight people joined us - many having only seen a LinkedIn post - placing their trust in Jonathan and me which was just amazing.

But beyond the logistics, what stood out was the connection. The kind that only happens when you share an experience. There’s something about walking side by side, exploring thoughts, feelings, challenges, and hopes together, while collectively working toward a shared goal, that creates a unique bond. This was an aspect of the experience I hadn’t fully anticipated.

I also love how the experience continues to be shared in our WhatsApp group, where people are still connecting, and reflecting, on the day.

Gut

My gut feels proud.

Proud that Jonathan’s seemingly crazy idea - conceived just three weeks ago - came to life. We pulled it together and made it happen.

Yes, there were obstacles. No, it didn’t go exactly as planned. But we learned so much - valuable lessons we can use to refine the upcoming schedule.

My gut tells me there are many more learning opportunities ahead, and by the time we finish this challenge, we’ll be very different people. It may take longer than our (now rather optimistic) 12-month timeline, but I have a firm belief that this journey will continue to be an incredible experience - one that will continue to test and try us but one we won’t regret.

Overarching Takeaway

The biggest takeaway for me is the metaphors woven throughout the walk, particularly those drawn from the River Thames itself, which Julian, one of my fellow walkers and I explored.

At this early stage, the river was beautifully clear, shallow, and steadily widening as it flowed toward Cricklade. Beneath its surface, vibrant green plants could be seen. The current appeared gentle - or even non-existent at times - but where there were obstacles like fallen trees, the river found ways to overcome them or carve new paths. We noticed its power, even at this early stage, which left us feeling curious about how it might change as it progresses and where the most significant transformations will occur.

We also reflected on the clarity of the water and how depth might change this. As the river meanders through more populated areas, its purity will likely shift, much like how human experiences shape us over time. It’s a reminder of how we, too, evolve - how our clarity and innocence as children might give way to complexity as we navigate life and the environments that shape us.

 If you would like to join us and be part of our journey you can find out more on the dedicated webpage here.