Like many people approaching retirement, I find myself entering a new chapter of life
that looks rather different from the one I had once imagined. The future I thought I would share with a lifelong partner did not turn out as expected and, for a time, that felt daunting. However, rather than seeing this next stage as something to fear, I have chosen to view it as an opportunity to actively seek healthy, fulfilling experiences and to embrace retirement with energy, curiosity and enthusiasm. I’m discovering that retirement can be full of adventure, challenge and growth – life does not need to become smaller- it can be a time of expansion and exploration!
I have always loved being outdoors. Nature has long been my sanctuary
and I am a great believer in its restorative, healing powers, whatever the weather! Over the last few years, I have discovered a passion for long-distance walking. To keep myself safe, I plucked up the courage to book on a course with Rob Johnson, Expedition Guide and instructor in Snowdonia to learn, for myself, how to read a map and navigate safely. I then, stepped outside my comfort zone and planned a five-day solo walking trip in my beautiful home country of North Wales. Completing that walk gave me an enormous sense of achievement and self-belief. Sometimes when we come out of a long relationship we have become de-skilled in some areas or not tried to do the things we really wanted to. I realised that I was capable of far more than I had previously given myself credit for. It’s important for me to have a mindset of growth – intentionally creating my next stage of life.
I also think many women of my generation find themselves in a unique position. Many of us have benefited from opportunities to build careers, earn our own income and develop confidence in our ability to navigate life independently. As we approach retirement, many of us are discovering that we are perfectly capable of pursuing new adventures, making decisions for ourselves and embracing opportunities, without feeling the need to be part of a relationship for security or support.
I’ve realised that some of life’s most rewarding experiences can begin when one chapter closes and another reveals itself.
It has taken me a while, however, to get to this positive outlook! In doing so, I think we are also showing younger generations that a fulfilling life can take many forms and that happiness, friendship, purpose and adventure are not dependent on marital status. In fact only today I had the loveliest thing happen – a young work colleague (25) approached me wanting to tell me all about her future travel plans – she then said something which will stay with me now ‘ I’m channelling my inner you Heather’!
My next adventure took me to the Algarve, where I walked part of the coastline with a cousin. We had a wonderful time, and it reinforced for me that walking is even more enjoyable when shared with others.
That realisation led me to explore organised walking holidays. I knew I wanted to travel with like-minded women and felt that a women-only environment would provide the supportive, relaxed atmosphere I was looking for. Having previously encountered competitiveness and other distractions in mixed groups, I wanted the focus to be on the walking, the experience and the companionship.
Walking Women stood out for several reasons. I was attracted by the small group sizes, the thoughtfully chosen routes away from the usual tourist hotspots and the willingness to offer more unusual and imaginative walks, such as the Welsh Slate Trail. I was looking for challenge and a sense of achievement rather than simply ticking off destinations, and Walking Women seemed to understand that. There were also practical considerations – as a solo traveller, I value the security and reassurance of experienced guides, organised transfers, luggage transportation and the availability of solo rooms. These details remove much of the stress associated with travelling alone and allow me to focus entirely on enjoying the experience. I also appreciate that many of the holidays are longer in duration, giving participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in an area rather than simply passing through it.
The Welsh Slate Trail was my first holiday / trek with Walking Women and I have reflected on the fact that it’s not just what their holidays do, but what they make possible for women like me at a significant stage of life. I can honestly say that the experience confirmed I had made the right choice. I loved the camaraderie of the group and was inspired by the diversity of the women I met. We came from different backgrounds, countries and life experiences, yet we shared a common love of walking and adventure.
Walking together creates space for conversations that rarely happen in everyday life.
Over the course of the week I realised that every woman carried her own story, shaped by different experiences and challenges. Each brought her own strengths, humour and wisdom, and each, in her own way, inspired me. I truly believe that everyone we meet leaves us with something to take forward, and I certainly came away having learned as much from the people as I did from the trail itself. Meeting active, capable women of different ages reinforced my belief that maintaining our health, mobility and independence is one of the greatest investments we can make in our future selves. Each person carries a lifetime of experiences, and if we take the time to listen, there is always something to learn. The joy lies in being curious enough to listen.
The dramatic landscapes, changing weather and fascinating industrial heritage of The Slate Trail provided endless inspiration, and I found myself taking more and more photographs as the week progressed. What made this particularly special was the encouragement I received from the group. My fellow walkers were generous with their feedback and enthusiasm, encouraging me to keep photographing and sharing the images. The support did not end there – both our guide Anita and Ginny continued to encourage me, helping me recognise and appreciate a creative interest that I had not fully explored for some time. It was a wonderful reminder that new experiences can awaken dormant passions and that personal growth can flourish in the most unexpected ways. It is really about permission. What those women did was to see me in a way that I hadn’t seen myself for some time – It was so powerful! When I was young my father gave me his father’s camera, I was so lucky to have it. Photography became a bond between us and I absolutely loved learning the craft of capturing images with this very special camera. But, a combination of a very busy life and the advent of the digital era caused this to wane. However, I returned home from The Slate Trail not only with memories of an incredible walk, but also with a renewed enthusiasm for photography and a desire to continue to grow that interest alongside my walking adventures.
What began as a walking holiday evolved into something far richer—a journey of personal rediscovery.
The Welsh Slate Trail has left me with wonderful memories, a deep sense of achievement -100 miles walked over tricky terrain – and an even stronger determination to keep walking for as long as I am able. It reminded me that life continues to offer opportunities for growth, adventure and connection at every age. For me, Walking Women is about much more than walking holidays; it is about confidence, friendship, shared experiences and making the most of the years ahead. It seems to have acted as a catalyst for several things happening simultaneously in my life – I’ve grown in confidence and feel able to navigate life on my terms, I’ve re-discovered my love of cycling and swimming and by doing that I’ve found my tribe. I did a 230 mile charity bike ride in four days and now I’m thinking of buying a van so I can pursue all these interests whenever I want!
As a nurse of forty years, mainly in A&E , I am very aware of how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken away from us .
Nursing through the pandemic was a huge experience – the trauma, exhaustion and sadness – but also the immense pride I felt at being part of the team of medical professionals and others who gave their all to save lives and to find a cure.
Retirement can be an exciting and rewarding time of life. There are still new challenges to embrace, new places to discover and new friendships waiting to be made. It’s also taught me that the most meaningful outcomes of travel and shared experiences are the ones we never anticipated – like the rediscovery of my passion for photography.
I know that this is only the beginning of my Walking Women journey rather than the culmination of it. I have heard the Siren call of their holidays to Scotland, Eastern Europe and more long-distance trails. More photographs, more stories, and undoubtedly more friendships are waiting for me. I feel content in my sense of self and that’s a wonderful place to find myself at 60!
Heather was talking to Jay ( a writer and walking woman who is helping us to capture these inspiring stories from women we meet on our holidays. Thank you so much Heather for sharing and for the photos, and Jay for gathering and writing these wonderful stories.
