KEEN walker, Rob Richardson from Frome has begun his life-long ambition to walk the length of France, a challenge he has been inspired to achieve since he was a teenager.
Rob, who has recently retired, has embarked on his journey, following the French Meridian. He is undertaking this challenge alone and is hoping to complete it in around two months.
As a 15/16 year old, Rob was inspired by John Hillaby’s book ‘Journey through Europe,’ which ignited his walking ambition. He worked in France for a number of years when he was younger and says he has always had a great affinity with the country.
Rob is a very keen walker, recently completing the coast to coast trail. He has also walked Offa’s Dyke Path, much of the Southwest coast path, various trails in France and Austria, and has also been trekking in the Himalayas and New Zealand.
He said, “I am looking forward to the challenge of emulating the achievements of the person who first inspired me to enjoy walking in remote places.
“However, I have mixed emotions about the trip – excitement for finally fulfilling a long held dream, but also apprehension because I recognise the enormity of the task ahead. But I am confident that I am physically and mentally up to the challenge!”
As part of their Millennium celebrations, the French equivalent of the Ramblers Association planned to create an official route following the French Meridian, but this was never achieved. Rob would like to create a route which he will present to this group who administer the French GR (Grande Randonnee) foot trails.
