The kindness of strangers, strokes of luck, and one too many instant noodle pots; just three of the things that spurred on Antony and Sally as they became the oldest couple to complete a 6,000-mile walk around the coastline of Great Britain.
After walking the Cornish Coast path in 2015, Antony and Sally decided to take on a somewhat bigger challenge and after many years of planning, set off from Bude in May 2023, planning their return a year later. Living in a coastal location inspired Antony and Sally to raise money for the RNLI and Cornwall Air Ambulance. The two charities really go hand in hand, committed to saving lives.
The five-month stint that Antony and Sally had in Scotland resulted in some of their high and low lights. It was a part of the walk that was perhaps filled with the most trepidation as the frequency of designated footpaths is scarcer and the landscape as remote as it can get. Being based in Scotland for the winter months also meant some days only had 6 hours of daylight. That said, the couple were welcomed with open arms by the locals and the scenery was exceptional, inspiring them to keep going.
Along the way, Antony and Sally have seen 157 RNLI stations showcasing the stellar work that this charity does. While many of us were seeing in the new year, Sally was battling with painful plantar fasciitis, which was eased after a chance meeting with one of the lifeboat crew who happened to be a GP and was able to give a cortisone injection – a stroke of much-needed luck!
It was always Antony and Sally’s intention to rent their house in Cornwall while they were away and they had been deciding whether to holiday let, or long-term let. Deciding that holiday letting would give them much greater flexibility, another chance meeting led to Antony chatting with a Classic owner who recommended us and explained we could manage all aspects of holiday letting their house, giving peace of mind all was being looked after when they were away.
The couple have so far raised over £13,000 for the charities and are settling into life post-walk, looking ahead to the arrival of two new grandchildren this year.
Congratulations Antony and Sally from everyone at Classic Cottages on this amazing achievement!
