A determined walker tackling the entire UK coastline is set to return to Cornwall this Christmas to plug a final gap in her epic journey, buoyed by the kindness of strangers.
The Christmas Challenge on the Cornish Coast
Blue Wilson, a 51-year-old local government employee from North Yorkshire, will spend her festive leave walking a 27-mile stretch of the north Cornwall coast she was forced to abandon earlier this year. Her mammoth 11,000-mile trek was interrupted in July by heat exhaustion on the path between Port Isaac and Bude.
After recovering, Blue resumed her walk in September, continuing through Devon. She now aims to close the Cornish gap before pushing on. Following Christmas Day in Bude with her support Andrew, she will set out on Boxing Day, planning to cover the distance over two days.
A Decade-Long Quest for Coastline and Charity
Blue began her remarkable challenge from the Yorkshire coast in 2020, fitting sections in around work using annual leave and personal funds. To date, she has walked for 238 days, covering 4,097 miles of her estimated 10-year mission.
Her current goal is to finish the South West Coast Path, encompassing all of Cornwall and Devon. After the Christmas walk, she will return to Combe Martin in Devon—where she was celebrated by a local skittles team in October—to head east towards Minehead and Weston-super-Mare.
The five-day hike from Bude to Combe Martin earlier this year was arguably the toughest leg, with ascents and descents to Hartland Quay equivalent to climbing the Matterhorn. "Despite its many challenges, I have loved walking the Cornwall and Devon stretch," Blue said. "I have met some wonderful, friendly and supportive people along the way."
Raising Funds and Awareness for Marine Life
The walk is more than a personal achievement; it's a fundraiser for two marine charities close to Blue's heart: Surfers Against Sewage and Sea Changers. She has already raised over £7,000 and hopes to complete the South West Coast Path section by the end of 2025.
Blue's journey has given her a stark view of environmental pressures. "Our coastline is so utterly diverse," she reflected, "but I've also witnessed the dramatic acceleration in coastal erosion." She expressed deep concern about plastic pollution and raw sewage discharges, describing their effect on wildlife as "catastrophic."
The adventure has been filled with memorable incidents, from a nervous encounter with unexploded ordnance on a Yorkshire beach to an unexpected brush with royalty in Norfolk, where she stood aside for Queen Elizabeth II's car. An artist by trade, Blue plans to write a book about her exploits, supported by photos from the trek.
She has received backing from hiking sock brand Bridgedale and ferry companies like NorthLink Ferries, which offered half-price passage to the Orkney Islands.
As she prepares for her festive walk, Blue remains hopeful for another warm welcome. "I'm hoping for a similar welcome and kindness over the festive week," she said, eager to finish the year on a high by reaching another major milestone.
