Your Valentine’s Day Love Stories: Love on the Long Mynd

 In July 2017 unbeknown to each other we had both signed up for a solos holiday at Church Stretton not because either of us was particularly looking to meet someone special, but we were both holidaying alone and I was already aware that the ambiance of HF solos holidays was easy and relaxed.  Annie chose Church Stretton as it wasn’t too far from her home in North Wales so she could always make a run for it if it didn’t work out! 

There was a group of about 6 of us who instantly clicked at Church Stretton and although neither of us can remember a specific first conversation, we very quickly realised that we very much enjoyed each other's company. 

It wasn’t love at first sight for either of us but it soon became clear that we had much in common and our friendship became closer as the holiday progressed. 

Annie and I would often find ourselves side by side on the walks, at the same dining table in the evenings and sitting next to each other on the coach journeys. 

We were never short of something to talk about as we shared several common interests including music, wildlife and of course, walking, but it was at our our farewell on the last morning that we both realised we didn’t want to lose touch. 

The group of 6 all kept in contact with each other after the holiday, including Annie and me via numerous emails, phone calls and texts.  Our friendship was clearly developing into something more. 

 A few months later, the "gang of 6" all decided to have a reunion at HF Malham.  We enjoyed more walking, talking and dining and knew then that we didn’t want to spend too much more time apart and we started to date.  Annie came down to my home near Bath for several “sleepovers”.  We very quickly booked a non-solos week at Derwent Bank for the following July. 

In the meantime, we shared many local walks either just the two of us or as part of a very friendly local walking group.  Walking has been a constant thread through most of the things we enjoy and walking together is always a special time when we can chat about both the big and small things in our lives.  It overlaps a great deal with my enjoyment of wildlife photography, and I often share my photos with our fellow walkers after each HF holiday.  Annie has become quite hooked on taking photos too! 

HF not only kick started our relationship but also played a big part in what happened next.  On the lawn in front of HF Derwent Bank, in the presence of all the original Church Stretton gang, and a mere year since we first met, I went down on one knee and popped the question to Annie who was caught completely by surprise but thankfully said “Yes”!  A year after that, we became husband and wife, and we honeymooned with HF in Malta and Gozo.  Incidentally, while at Derwent Bank, we started to log (using GPS tracking) all the miles we were walking together.  We clocked up 1,220 over the next 12 months - not bad for a couple in their 60s eh! 

Our wedding was walking themed with a walking themed cake and a guard of honour of walking poles (see photo).  All of the original gang of 6 were among our guests on the day and two of them were our official witnesses.  Since marrying, we have taken no fewer than 20 HF holidays together both in the UK and further afield in Europe and worldwide.  We enjoy the HF experience to the full at every opportunity and have made many friends including some wonderful HF walk leaders.

We have introduced several of our non-HF friends to HF and all have found the experience to be very positive for physical and mental fitness, atmosphere, ease of meeting and chatting to other like-minded folk.  Whether holidaying solo or as couples, HF seems to get it just right and ticks all the boxes!  Our advice would be to give it a try.  You won’t be disappointed! 

We continue to enjoy several HF holidays each year and, at the time of writing, have 3 in the diary for 2025.  Our favourite destination so far is probably HF Costa Rica which wasn’t a regular walking holiday as such but gave us a great introduction and overview of this fantastic country.  The itinerary included visits to several family run wildlife reserves which by supporting, we encouraged the locals to earn a living through conservation rather than deforestation.  The whole experience was like walking through a zoo but without a single cage!  The three of us (Annie, me and my camera) had a fantastic time! 

We usually celebrate Valentine’s Day quietly at home perhaps with a bottle of bubbles but will treat ourselves to something special outside the busy and commercial day itself - perhaps a treat of a day out or evening meal or even a last-minute HF bargain! 

This year, we’re planning HF holidaying in the Cotswolds, a return to Malham and a week’s walking in Provence.  We’ve also booked a couple of non-HF holidays in Barbados and Dorset which although aren’t walking holidays, will no doubt see us clocking up a few more miles in our boots!  Now both retired, we’re blessed with the time, the means and above all, the health to be able to continue enjoying life to the full.  Long may it last!