Their story, in their words…
Looking back at our expedition, we realised just how much we had learnt and overcome. We had spent nights sleeping on uneven ground, with sweat dried to our faces and grass clinging to our clothes, yet we would not change any of it. Every challenge became part of the story we will remember for years to come.
We travelled from London to Shrewsbury by coach and completed a multi-day hiking expedition, covering over 140,000 steps by the end of the expedition while planning and navigating each route ourselves. Along the way we explored parts of the English countryside that many of us would never otherwise have experienced. Rolling hills, peaceful rivers, quiet woodlands and endless fields reminded us that the UK is far more than busy streets, high-rise buildings and the TFL. Sometimes the greatest adventures are much closer to home than we realise.
The expedition was far more challenging than we had expected. There were moments when every hill seemed steeper than the last and every path felt as though it would never end, including the occasion when we accidentally walked in a loop. The summer sun was relentless, while the nearby river created humid conditions that left us completely drained after each day’s hike. Heavy rucksacks became heavier with every step, leaving us yearning to get back to the campsite.
Despite the challenges, we never faced them alone. We cooked meals together at the end of each day, shared supplies whenever someone needed them, and constantly encouraged one another to keep going. Whether it was helping pitch tents, reading maps, carrying the bags, or simply making each other laugh when energy was running low, everyone played a part. It was these moments of teamwork that turned a difficult expedition into an unforgettable one.
Some of our favourite memories came from the simplest moments: sitting together after a long day’s walk, watching the River Severn, celebrating reaching the end of the walk, and laughing over stories from the trail. Even the wrong turns, aching feet and early mornings became moments we now look back on with smiles. They reminded us that the best experiences are rarely the easiest ones. Mealtimes were hardly boring either. From naan bread with tuna and starburst to wraps with breakfast bars inside, lunches became very creative. Though they were interrupted by a wasp who kept stealing our tuna, eventually becoming an unofficial member. It’s pretty safe to say it was just as persistent as we were.
The Mark Evison Foundation expedition challenged us physically, mentally and emotionally. It pushed us beyond our comfort zones and taught us resilience, independence, teamwork and confidence. More importantly, it reminded us to slow down, appreciate the world around us and trust in one another. We returned home with tired legs, countless memories and friendships that had grown even stronger. Looking back now, we don’t measure the expedition by the number of steps we walked, but by everything we discovered about ourselves and each other along the way. As for what we would change: nothing… though avoiding that one loop would’ve saved us from wondering whether we had unlocked the Shrewsbury backrooms. We would also appreciate if wasps could find their own food instead of stealing ours.
