Rector's Wife Life List: September 2025

My sister lives in this beautiful corner of southern Spain - about an hour east, and slightly north, of Málaga. The scenery is stunning, the roads terrifying (hairpin bends like you wouldn't believe), and the walking challenging.

Knowing of my love of hiking, she flagged up to me the Walking Festival that takes place in the region each September. This was its 13th year, and as far as I can tell, there were at least a hundred of us in the various groups that spent four days trekking in the region.

Now, then. When I booked, there were only places left on Level 3 - the toughest one. The Level 3 distances for the four days ranged between 15 and 19 km (9.3 and 11.9 miles). As a daily three-mile walker, a veteran of two marathons, and a frequent walker of 10-15 mile distances, I thought, well, it's four days on the trot - but I should be OK.

On day one, I discovered my mistake. Yes, I knew it was steep and with rough terrain - and I've met that too, in the beauties of the Peak and Lake districts back home. But this was in a league all of its own... The steepest climbs - of which there were at least three on day one - were beyond anything I'd ever met. Not quite scrambling, but two-pole assisted rocky slopes, and minor roads which at times (according to a fellow walker) were in the one-in-four category.

I managed Day #1 - by the skin of my teeth - by opting out of the final steep upward climb; I simply hadn't any power left. Happily, one of the other walkers, who knew the route well, was kind enough to offer to take me around the foot of the final peak - still stony and tough to walk, but much flatter.

Much to my relief, the organisers are happy for folks to switch levels after the first day, and it was with relief that I joined the Level 1 set for the remainder of the Festival. These were much more in my line - still with their challenges (there is no such thing as a relaxing walk in this area!) and some steep ascents - but kinder and as a result more enjoyable. Interestingly, by day four my legs had just about started to become accustomed to the constant steepness. Not easy to keep this sort of training going in Norfolk, however!

I had a truly amazing four days. I met so many kind and friendly people - many of whom were my age and substantially older, and displaying an awesome level of fitness. The scenery was, of course, utterly spectacular, and the sense of achievement very empowering.

We concluded the Festival with a buffet meal, medal presentations for all who had walked (at whatever level) on all four days, and lots of mutual congratulations.