Before I even took my first step on the GR5, I had something I don’t often give myself: time to slow down. I’d spent around 10 days in London, relaxing, catching up with family who were over from Australia, doing a bit of dog sitting and generally just enjoying the gorgeous weather. It was exactly what I needed. By the time I headed to the Netherlands, I felt physically rested, mentally refreshed and ready to begin.

"How do you train to walk 2,200 kilometres?" The honest answer? You don't. At least, not in the way most people think. There isn't a training plan in the world that can prepare you to walk every day for around 70 days. It's simply not possible. If I tried to train for the full distance before leaving, I'd almost certainly arrive at the start line exhausted, injured, or both. Instead, my training has had a very different focus.