1 00:00:42,549 --> 00:00:44,520 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: Hello and welcome to the National Trust 2 00:00:44,529 --> 00:00:47,779 Podcast. I'm Claire Hickinbotham, a podcast producer 3 00:00:47,790 --> 00:00:50,409 at the National Trust and a dog owner. 4 00:00:50,409 --> 00:00:53,220 As I head out on my own little dog walk today, wrapped up 5 00:00:53,229 --> 00:00:56,319 against the cold, I'm going to be transporting you back to a 6 00:00:56,330 --> 00:01:00,619 sunny summer day in 2023 to a packed beach on the Gower 7 00:01:00,630 --> 00:01:02,139 peninsula in Wales. 8 00:01:02,490 --> 00:01:05,290 It's where I met a rather exceptional dog owner with an 9 00:01:05,300 --> 00:01:09,900 incredible story who was nearing the end of a very long and life 10 00:01:09,910 --> 00:01:10,970 changing walk. 11 00:01:15,980 --> 00:01:16,800 Come on then. 12 00:01:19,599 --> 00:01:21,040 Good boy then, come on this way. 13 00:01:22,830 --> 00:01:26,580 I'm in Oxfordshire where I live, just about to take my two year 14 00:01:26,589 --> 00:01:28,180 old black Lab for a walk. 15 00:01:28,790 --> 00:01:30,519 Good boy then, come on this way. 16 00:01:31,629 --> 00:01:35,010 And this walk I come on at Coleshill is probably one of my 17 00:01:35,019 --> 00:01:35,849 favourites. 18 00:01:37,349 --> 00:01:40,639 There's some really fascinating history here. I'm just walking 19 00:01:40,650 --> 00:01:44,089 past a replica underground bunker, used to tell the story 20 00:01:44,099 --> 00:01:47,120 of how this site was once home to a secret training base during 21 00:01:47,129 --> 00:01:48,309 the Second World War. 22 00:01:48,819 --> 00:01:52,160 But through a second gate and it's the landscape that takes 23 00:01:52,169 --> 00:01:52,980 over here. 24 00:01:53,849 --> 00:01:57,550 Come on then! 25 00:01:57,550 --> 00:02:01,129 I can see The Ridgeway National Trail and I can see the 26 00:02:01,139 --> 00:02:03,989 Uffington White Horse, another National Trust site. And they're 27 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:06,019 probably about five or six miles away. 28 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:10,220 I walk here with Buddy maybe a couple of times a week and it's 29 00:02:10,229 --> 00:02:14,449 the views and the space here that really give me a feeling 30 00:02:14,460 --> 00:02:17,139 that the world is bigger than my four walls. 31 00:02:17,300 --> 00:02:20,889 And it kind of helps put some of life's worries that probably 32 00:02:20,899 --> 00:02:23,770 most of us have at some point back into perspective. 33 00:02:24,860 --> 00:02:29,309 Now, as we head up the hill, the wind blowing the cobwebs and 34 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:30,899 some of life's worries away. 35 00:02:31,600 --> 00:02:35,600 I know for around the next 40/45 minutes, I've got no stress. 36 00:02:35,610 --> 00:02:38,699 I've got no emails. I've got no errands to run. 37 00:02:39,059 --> 00:02:43,039 Now, imagine that scenario but stretched out over six years. 38 00:02:45,860 --> 00:02:49,100 Christian Lewis is a man whose story you may be familiar with. 39 00:02:49,220 --> 00:02:52,550 Weighed down with life. He was at his lowest ebb, struggling to 40 00:02:52,559 --> 00:02:53,729 make sense of it all. 41 00:02:54,059 --> 00:02:57,179 An army veteran and a single father, he'd been through the 42 00:02:57,190 --> 00:02:59,009 mill and couldn't see a way forward. 43 00:02:59,679 --> 00:03:03,550 Then one day staring out to sea, he had an epiphany and knew 44 00:03:03,559 --> 00:03:06,899 exactly what he needed to do, walk the entire coast of the 45 00:03:06,910 --> 00:03:09,820 country and so he set off alone. 46 00:03:11,589 --> 00:03:14,600 But it wasn't too long until he had a trusted companion by his 47 00:03:14,610 --> 00:03:19,229 side. I met him and his dog Jet as he headed across Langland Bay 48 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:22,410 in Wales, towards the finish point at Rhossili, the beach 49 00:03:22,419 --> 00:03:25,690 looked after by the National Trust where it all started. 50 00:03:26,220 --> 00:03:31,610 So just arrived at Langland Bay, can't yet see the sea because 51 00:03:31,619 --> 00:03:35,970 there are a multitude of very cute little green beach huts, 52 00:03:35,979 --> 00:03:37,639 but this is where I'm meeting Christian. 53 00:03:38,399 --> 00:03:41,520 And it's one of those nice occasions where I know who I'm 54 00:03:41,529 --> 00:03:44,339 meeting because I've been following him on social media 55 00:03:44,679 --> 00:03:49,529 and I'm pretty sure that I'm going to recognize him. 56 00:03:49,529 --> 00:03:54,220 Just getting my first glimpse of some rocks on the sand, looks 57 00:03:54,229 --> 00:03:58,100 like the tide is out at the minute and a bit more of Wales 58 00:03:58,110 --> 00:04:00,539 across the bay in the background by the looks of it. 59 00:04:01,380 --> 00:04:04,130 There's a few school trips hanging out on the beach. So I'm 60 00:04:04,139 --> 00:04:05,940 gonna head up, I think I can see him. 61 00:04:06,970 --> 00:04:11,570 I see the dog,'Jet' I think the dog is called. So I'll head up 62 00:04:11,580 --> 00:04:12,610 and see if that's him. 63 00:04:12,750 --> 00:04:16,410 The man I knew from Instagram was smiley and confident and 64 00:04:16,420 --> 00:04:19,329 wearing what anyone attempting to walk the coast of the UK 65 00:04:19,339 --> 00:04:22,079 would wear... a kilt and flip flops. 66 00:04:22,089 --> 00:04:23,344 You must be Christian? 67 00:04:23,344 --> 00:04:24,579 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Hello Claire, nice to meet you! 68 00:04:24,579 --> 00:04:26,065 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: Nice to meet you too and this is-? 69 00:04:26,464 --> 00:04:27,725 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: This is Jet. Yes, my girl. 70 00:04:28,065 --> 00:04:29,934 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: Hello Jet! You are beautiful! 71 00:04:30,065 --> 00:04:31,975 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: No one wants to say hello to me. It's all about 72 00:04:32,244 --> 00:04:33,945 her! 73 00:04:33,945 --> 00:04:35,644 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: And she's a Lurcher? 74 00:04:35,644 --> 00:04:36,774 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Yeah she's a Lurcher, She's a crossed between 75 00:04:36,795 --> 00:04:38,645 a Greyhound Saluki. 76 00:04:38,645 --> 00:04:40,265 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: A Greyhound Saluki? So what's that then? 77 00:04:40,265 --> 00:04:42,255 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Saluki, they're kind of sort of like a similar 78 00:04:42,265 --> 00:04:44,334 size to a greyhound, but they're much fluffier, they've got much 79 00:04:44,345 --> 00:04:47,309 bigger ears and that's where she gets her markings from I would 80 00:04:47,420 --> 00:04:47,540 assume 81 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:49,660 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: She's white with a bit of brown on her, so 82 00:04:49,779 --> 00:04:51,019 she'Jet' because of her speed? 83 00:04:51,029 --> 00:04:52,489 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: I think it would probably be the irony of 84 00:04:52,500 --> 00:04:55,219 it yeah, how fast she was, I wouldn't say so much anymore, 85 00:04:55,219 --> 00:04:56,477 she's getting on now! 86 00:04:56,477 --> 00:04:58,510 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: So here I was chatting to a seemingly very 87 00:04:58,519 --> 00:05:02,880 content guy and his much loved dog on a sunny day about to join 88 00:05:02,890 --> 00:05:06,790 him on a small stretch of his 19,000km journey around the 89 00:05:06,799 --> 00:05:09,799 whole of the UK coast that's earned him thousands of 90 00:05:09,809 --> 00:05:12,709 followers and thousands of pounds for charity. 91 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:16,880 I'm feeling very honoured that you're letting me join you on a 92 00:05:16,890 --> 00:05:20,149 bit of your walk. Do you remember the date you started? 93 00:05:20,179 --> 00:05:23,750 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Yeah, that was the first of August 2017. So 94 00:05:23,910 --> 00:05:25,230 just under six years. 95 00:05:25,470 --> 00:05:27,790 To be honest with you, it's become more of a lifestyle now 96 00:05:27,799 --> 00:05:31,339 rather than the actual thinking of it as a walk in itself. 97 00:05:31,350 --> 00:05:35,500 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: So 2017 you stood on I think, Rhossili 98 00:05:35,510 --> 00:05:36,160 Beach? 99 00:05:36,339 --> 00:05:38,179 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Well, Llangennith yeah, same beach 100 00:05:38,190 --> 00:05:39,959 just a bit further down Llangennith is. 101 00:05:40,420 --> 00:05:43,049 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: And you set off and what did you have to 102 00:05:43,059 --> 00:05:44,130 your name at that point? 103 00:05:44,209 --> 00:05:46,079 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: So I had about about a tenner, 2 days worth of 104 00:05:46,089 --> 00:05:48,260 rations, a bottle of water. 105 00:05:48,429 --> 00:05:52,359 Absolutely no plan whatsoever. The outdoors was my place. 106 00:05:52,369 --> 00:05:56,220 That's where I wanted to be and the wilder it became the happier 107 00:05:56,230 --> 00:05:59,279 I became. So I just needed to go out and press the reset button. 108 00:06:00,089 --> 00:06:02,179 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: Christian had had a pretty rough time. 109 00:06:02,190 --> 00:06:05,480 He'd served in the British Army and then once he'd left, found 110 00:06:05,489 --> 00:06:07,980 returning to civilian life pretty challenging. 111 00:06:08,250 --> 00:06:10,660 And then there was another battle to overcome. 112 00:06:12,100 --> 00:06:16,019 It sounds like life is good and a very different place to where 113 00:06:16,029 --> 00:06:17,980 you were pre six years ago. 114 00:06:18,269 --> 00:06:19,929 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: I think the best thing that ever happened to 115 00:06:19,940 --> 00:06:22,679 me was that I just had this kind of mental breakdown if you like. 116 00:06:22,690 --> 00:06:25,279 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: You're a veteran? So what was your 117 00:06:25,290 --> 00:06:29,000 journey to the point of being in this state of mind? 118 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:30,540 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Well I was in the parachute regiment and I 119 00:06:30,549 --> 00:06:35,690 left the paras back in 2004 and I was in a, like a quite a 120 00:06:35,700 --> 00:06:38,440 horrible custody battle with my daughter at the time I wanted to 121 00:06:38,450 --> 00:06:39,320 have custody with her and- 122 00:06:39,940 --> 00:06:41,940 And so I was a single parent for 10 years after that. 123 00:06:42,429 --> 00:06:45,170 I don't even think it was the parenting that I found hard. 124 00:06:45,179 --> 00:06:47,769 You know, I had a good relationship with Caitlin. 125 00:06:47,910 --> 00:06:52,070 I just- I just wasn't very good at doing letters and having to 126 00:06:52,079 --> 00:06:53,920 go down to civic centres to sign forms. 127 00:06:54,489 --> 00:06:56,619 I was getting chased up for stuff that I didn't want. 128 00:06:56,630 --> 00:06:58,339 And it ended up becoming my biggest downfall. 129 00:06:59,470 --> 00:07:02,290 After about eight years or so, I started to head down on this 130 00:07:02,299 --> 00:07:07,359 slippery slope of anxiety and I just think I was bummed out, was 131 00:07:07,369 --> 00:07:09,690 so unhappy with the way that I was living life. 132 00:07:09,700 --> 00:07:12,250 I didn't want to be in one place that I felt like a caged animal. 133 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:15,399 Yeah. Just basically the opposite person of what I was. 134 00:07:16,619 --> 00:07:18,359 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: It was at this point he knew he had to do 135 00:07:18,369 --> 00:07:19,459 something drastic. 136 00:07:19,570 --> 00:07:23,000 And one day as he sat on his local beach, Llangennith, it all 137 00:07:23,010 --> 00:07:25,380 became very clear, all of a sudden. 138 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,200 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: I'd spent just like so many people, too many 139 00:07:28,209 --> 00:07:30,970 years of my life working for people in jobs I didn't like. 140 00:07:30,980 --> 00:07:34,769 Well, that's not life, is it? Where's the joy in that? I just 141 00:07:34,779 --> 00:07:35,429 can't see it. 142 00:07:35,839 --> 00:07:38,820 I knew that if I didn't do something now, life's just not 143 00:07:38,829 --> 00:07:41,190 going to be good. So, you got to change it, mate, you got to do 144 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:41,940 something drastic. 145 00:07:41,950 --> 00:07:46,510 And I love being in a tent. I love being outside. So let's go. 146 00:07:47,329 --> 00:07:51,399 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: And so he walked and walked alone up along 147 00:07:51,410 --> 00:07:54,700 the rest of the Welsh coast around Northern Ireland, the 148 00:07:54,709 --> 00:07:58,869 northwest of England to Scotland. And it's there he made 149 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:01,790 a friend who would walk the rest of the journey with him. 150 00:08:04,489 --> 00:08:06,950 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: I got Jet about nine months into the journey on 151 00:08:06,959 --> 00:08:08,779 the west coast of Scotland in a place called Irvine. 152 00:08:08,839 --> 00:08:11,910 She belonged to a family that were unable to have her anymore. 153 00:08:12,089 --> 00:08:14,839 And I thought, you know what, this is a really good time for 154 00:08:14,850 --> 00:08:15,209 me. 155 00:08:15,209 --> 00:08:18,190 When Jet and I first interacted if we just connected 156 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:22,000 immediately, she just looked at me as if to say hello pal. And 157 00:08:22,010 --> 00:08:23,989 then that was it. She was with me from that moment. 158 00:08:24,010 --> 00:08:27,260 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: What did Jet bring to the experience 159 00:08:27,269 --> 00:08:27,619 then? 160 00:08:28,649 --> 00:08:30,540 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: I mean, everything, it doesn't matter 161 00:08:30,549 --> 00:08:33,909 how good or bad a day I've had, I give this little one a cwtch 162 00:08:34,070 --> 00:08:37,479 and the way she just looks at me that, that feeling that you get 163 00:08:37,489 --> 00:08:38,760 to me there everything. 164 00:08:38,770 --> 00:08:41,369 You know, when I were walking the really lonely parts and I 165 00:08:41,380 --> 00:08:45,119 was on my own so much watching Jet working her way through the 166 00:08:45,130 --> 00:08:48,169 wilderness and doing her thing and stiffing out deer paths for 167 00:08:48,179 --> 00:08:49,989 us. It was just such a joy. 168 00:08:50,369 --> 00:08:53,030 Sometimes we were pinned down in a tent for days at a time due to 169 00:08:53,039 --> 00:08:53,869 weather. 170 00:08:53,869 --> 00:08:56,299 Had I been on my own I can imagine I would probably gone 171 00:08:56,309 --> 00:08:59,200 crazy but just having her in there, in the middle of storms 172 00:08:59,210 --> 00:09:02,840 halfway up a mountain and she's upside down like playing and 173 00:09:02,849 --> 00:09:07,159 doing her thing. She's just been a pure joy from the second I had 174 00:09:07,210 --> 00:09:07,219 her. 175 00:09:10,429 --> 00:09:12,330 ELENA RATSCHEN: There is increasing evidence that 176 00:09:12,340 --> 00:09:16,460 human-animal interaction can have a positive impact on human 177 00:09:16,469 --> 00:09:21,659 health, particularly mental health. And we have studied dogs 178 00:09:21,669 --> 00:09:25,200 much more frequently so far than we have other species. 179 00:09:26,070 --> 00:09:28,979 My name is Elena Ratschen. I'm a reader in Health Services 180 00:09:28,989 --> 00:09:32,479 Research at the University Of York. And I specialize in human 181 00:09:32,570 --> 00:09:35,429 animal interaction. 182 00:09:35,429 --> 00:09:39,309 Within this field of study. We have found that for example, for 183 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:44,289 war veterans or people who are homeless, the bond can be 184 00:09:44,299 --> 00:09:45,809 incredibly important. 185 00:09:46,150 --> 00:09:51,169 Some of the hypotheses include the theory that they connect a 186 00:09:51,179 --> 00:09:56,825 social catalyst. They might be able to elicit emotions. 187 00:09:57,034 --> 00:10:01,724 And I think in some groups, they provide meaning for people to 188 00:10:01,734 --> 00:10:06,085 get up in the morning, to have their dog as somebody that 189 00:10:06,094 --> 00:10:12,354 doesn't judge them, that always provides unconditional affection 190 00:10:12,455 --> 00:10:15,164 and just takes them as they are. 191 00:10:17,599 --> 00:10:21,320 We often hear that this dog, you know, is my life and I don't 192 00:10:21,330 --> 00:10:22,940 know what I'd do without him. 193 00:10:23,299 --> 00:10:27,299 I think in terms of Christian's story, it's very clear that the 194 00:10:27,309 --> 00:10:30,840 reciprocal dynamic was incredibly powerful. 195 00:10:32,880 --> 00:10:36,789 They might have found each other at the right time in the right 196 00:10:36,799 --> 00:10:46,309 space and gone off on this incredible adventure together. 197 00:10:46,309 --> 00:10:48,989 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: With Jet now in tow, Christian tackled 198 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,820 the rest of Scotland. He fell in love with the country and began 199 00:10:52,830 --> 00:10:55,419 more than ever to feel on top of things again. 200 00:10:55,869 --> 00:10:58,669 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Imagine, it's Christmas Eve. You're in the 201 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:01,039 Isle Of Harris. Someone says, I've got a boat. Do you want to 202 00:11:01,049 --> 00:11:03,380 go to this tiny little island to go and spend Christmas? 203 00:11:03,380 --> 00:11:06,890 Totally uninhabited. If you could picture a desert island, 204 00:11:07,169 --> 00:11:09,340 this was what it was like, beautiful white sands. Nobody 205 00:11:09,349 --> 00:11:09,679 there. 206 00:11:09,940 --> 00:11:13,500 The moon perfectly in line with my beautiful fire and it was 207 00:11:13,510 --> 00:11:17,239 those kind of moments where all of the hard work that you put 208 00:11:17,250 --> 00:11:19,419 during the day to do the walking where you just think, do you 209 00:11:19,429 --> 00:11:21,719 know what? this is why I started this. 210 00:11:21,719 --> 00:11:25,539 Being up in the middle of a mountain on my 39th birthday 211 00:11:25,549 --> 00:11:30,210 just watching Golden Eagles, Sea Eagles just totally on my own. 212 00:11:30,219 --> 00:11:31,969 Absolutely no phone signal. 213 00:11:31,979 --> 00:11:36,369 You know, that's where if more people did that, that were 214 00:11:36,380 --> 00:11:40,429 having troubles. Certainly, when it comes to mental health, you'd 215 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:43,070 see a lot more people up there. I tell you that for free. 216 00:11:43,820 --> 00:11:45,710 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: And beyond the mountains, there was always 217 00:11:45,719 --> 00:11:50,179 the sea on his left as he walked, but always there, it was 218 00:11:50,190 --> 00:11:53,349 for him, another huge part of what made him feel himself 219 00:11:53,359 --> 00:11:53,799 again. 220 00:11:54,359 --> 00:11:56,229 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: I genuinely believe that human beings have a 221 00:11:56,239 --> 00:12:00,840 natural attraction to the sea or water in general because, you 222 00:12:00,849 --> 00:12:03,109 know, you sit there on a calm evening and it's just listening 223 00:12:03,119 --> 00:12:04,830 to it. I don't think there's much out there that's more 224 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:05,679 relaxing than that. 225 00:12:06,309 --> 00:12:09,190 It certainly is something that I never want to be away from. I 226 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:11,960 think the sea just offers so much. You can bath in it, you 227 00:12:11,969 --> 00:12:14,260 can swim in it, you can have fun in it. There's just something 228 00:12:14,270 --> 00:12:16,330 about it that I think we're naturally drawn to anyway. 229 00:12:16,809 --> 00:12:18,849 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: And for Christian, if the weather was 230 00:12:18,859 --> 00:12:21,119 bad, it was even better for him. 231 00:12:21,169 --> 00:12:24,440 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: I love the ferocity of huge storms and 232 00:12:24,450 --> 00:12:28,650 raging seas and the danger of it all because it reminds you of 233 00:12:28,659 --> 00:12:30,650 just how insignificant you are. 234 00:12:31,039 --> 00:12:33,400 You know, you drop yourself into the middle of nowhere in the 235 00:12:33,409 --> 00:12:36,239 middle of a storm, you will never feel so alive. 236 00:12:36,250 --> 00:12:38,950 You know, that's, I think that's why adrenaline junkies run off 237 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:41,659 what they do because it's those moments where you're so 238 00:12:41,669 --> 00:12:44,780 petrified and so scared that you're, your senses are at their 239 00:12:44,789 --> 00:12:45,179 height. 240 00:12:45,190 --> 00:12:47,659 You're not thinking about debts, you're not thinking about where 241 00:12:47,669 --> 00:12:49,239 we're going to live next or anything like this. 242 00:12:49,250 --> 00:12:52,619 It's just where you are at that moment in time and how do you 243 00:12:52,630 --> 00:12:53,500 survive this? 244 00:12:53,919 --> 00:12:56,440 It's like surfing when you catch the wave, you generally don't 245 00:12:56,450 --> 00:12:58,500 think about anything else because you're just having that 246 00:12:58,510 --> 00:12:58,940 moment. 247 00:12:58,950 --> 00:13:03,409 And the more of those you can find, I think the more at peace 248 00:13:03,419 --> 00:13:04,330 you kind of become. 249 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:11,059 MILES RICHARDSON: In the modern world, there's a battle for 250 00:13:11,070 --> 00:13:14,979 attention. We're bombarded at times with media and 251 00:13:14,989 --> 00:13:19,099 advertisements. They're designed to capture our attention and 252 00:13:19,109 --> 00:13:22,659 sometimes we can forget that nature is inherently very good 253 00:13:22,669 --> 00:13:23,400 for us. 254 00:13:23,479 --> 00:13:26,869 I'm Miles Richardson, Professor of Human Factors And Nature 255 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:30,239 Connectedness. And I led the Nature Connection research for 256 00:13:30,250 --> 00:13:31,119 the National Trust. 257 00:13:32,479 --> 00:13:38,190 Nature Connectedness is a term we use to describe someone's 258 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:44,080 relationship with nature and our sensory systems are designed to 259 00:13:44,090 --> 00:13:49,299 accept the sounds and sights. And that has been found to be 260 00:13:49,309 --> 00:13:51,820 calming to our nervous system. 261 00:13:52,039 --> 00:14:00,840 And it can start to overcome the effects of threat and anxiety to 262 00:14:00,849 --> 00:14:05,200 improve Nature Connection and to improve our mental well being. 263 00:14:05,479 --> 00:14:11,640 We need to engage and notice the natural world and walking, as 264 00:14:11,650 --> 00:14:14,510 Christian found is a great way to do that. 265 00:14:14,580 --> 00:14:19,020 Your focus has to be the stimuli of the natural world that are 266 00:14:19,030 --> 00:14:19,679 around you. 267 00:14:21,429 --> 00:14:26,979 The sound of the waves, the wild flowers that might be present. A 268 00:14:27,330 --> 00:14:30,250 close connection with nature isn't just about feeling good. 269 00:14:30,549 --> 00:14:34,250 It can help us function well and bring a deeper benefit to our 270 00:14:34,260 --> 00:14:36,760 mental health and mental well being. 271 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:44,469 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: Put back together by the relationship 272 00:14:44,479 --> 00:14:48,030 with Jet and the power of being out in nature. Christian carried 273 00:14:48,039 --> 00:14:52,349 on with his walk, but he wasn't finished yet. In fact, there 274 00:14:52,359 --> 00:14:55,590 were two more very big life changing moments sitting on the 275 00:14:55,599 --> 00:14:56,229 horizon. 276 00:14:57,229 --> 00:15:00,450 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Only a month back on the mainland. Yeah, 277 00:15:00,460 --> 00:15:03,539 that's when I met Kate. She came walking down the bottom of the 278 00:15:03,549 --> 00:15:06,830 cliffs where I've been camping. Yeah, we just said hello and had 279 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:07,919 a brief encounter. 280 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:10,669 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: So Kate was also, I don't know whether to 281 00:15:10,679 --> 00:15:12,395 use the word somebody you picked up on the walk! 282 00:15:12,395 --> 00:15:12,510 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: All these stragglers mate, I tell you! 283 00:15:12,510 --> 00:15:16,590 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: I don't know if it's polite enough to 284 00:15:16,809 --> 00:15:17,880 Kate who i've not met! 285 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:20,330 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: She was on her own little solo adventure during 286 00:15:20,340 --> 00:15:24,650 the North Coast 500 then she disappeared and then after about 287 00:15:24,659 --> 00:15:27,900 40 minutes or so, she came back down with her tent, two cans of 288 00:15:27,909 --> 00:15:30,450 Tennents and some fish and chips and just said, look, it's 289 00:15:30,460 --> 00:15:32,789 starting to get dark. You know, I trust you. Do you mind if I 290 00:15:32,799 --> 00:15:34,010 come and come next to you for the evening? 291 00:15:34,020 --> 00:15:34,890 So I was like, yeah, go for it. 292 00:15:35,140 --> 00:15:36,909 And we stayed up till about three in the morning just 293 00:15:36,919 --> 00:15:37,330 chatting. 294 00:15:38,049 --> 00:15:40,109 I was really gutted to see her go the next morning. 295 00:15:40,559 --> 00:15:42,549 Yeah so I knew something definitely. 296 00:15:42,559 --> 00:15:46,299 We swapped numbers kept in touch religiously for about six weeks. 297 00:15:46,309 --> 00:15:49,280 And then, Kate went on holiday to Afghanistan to go climb some 298 00:15:49,289 --> 00:15:52,039 mountains, came back and just said, look, can I come and join 299 00:15:52,049 --> 00:15:52,179 you? 300 00:15:52,830 --> 00:15:53,890 And then that was it, yeah. 301 00:15:53,890 --> 00:15:55,849 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: So how far has Kate walked then? 302 00:15:55,849 --> 00:15:58,179 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: So she has walked from the north pretty 303 00:15:58,190 --> 00:16:01,280 much the very northeast tip of Scotland back to Swansea. So a 304 00:16:01,289 --> 00:16:03,440 good few thousand miles, she's done amazing! 305 00:16:03,440 --> 00:16:05,840 Straight out into a Scottish winter as well and into the 306 00:16:05,849 --> 00:16:06,549 second lockdown. 307 00:16:06,559 --> 00:16:08,000 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: It sounds like you're the perfect match 308 00:16:08,010 --> 00:16:09,459 for one another really! 309 00:16:09,459 --> 00:16:10,250 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Definitely! 310 00:16:10,250 --> 00:16:12,070 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: So perfect in fact that- 311 00:16:12,080 --> 00:16:14,130 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: We knew that we wanted to have a kid. So we just 312 00:16:14,140 --> 00:16:15,570 said, look, why not now? 313 00:16:15,820 --> 00:16:18,109 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: And so baby Magnus came along as Christian 314 00:16:18,229 --> 00:16:20,510 and Kate walked down the east coast of England. 315 00:16:20,750 --> 00:16:23,159 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Kate had about two months where we just kind of 316 00:16:23,169 --> 00:16:25,869 sat in a yurt and just, you know, let her recover a bit. 317 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:28,119 Then we just got straight back on with it, so Magnus has never 318 00:16:28,130 --> 00:16:31,130 known anything apart from living outside and he's just such a 319 00:16:31,140 --> 00:16:31,780 happy little kid. 320 00:16:31,780 --> 00:16:33,070 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: What an incredible start to life. 321 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:34,789 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: I know mate, I wish I'd have had that. I 322 00:16:34,799 --> 00:16:35,799 really, really do. 323 00:16:35,809 --> 00:16:38,340 He's one year, two months now and you can literally sit that 324 00:16:38,349 --> 00:16:38,554 man- 325 00:16:38,554 --> 00:16:41,549 Sit that man! Sit that boy by a little bush where the leaves are 326 00:16:41,559 --> 00:16:43,530 shaking and he'll just sit there for hours because it's all he's 327 00:16:43,539 --> 00:16:46,479 ever known you know, he really does switch on to it all. 328 00:16:46,750 --> 00:16:48,150 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: That's incredible. And presumably he's 329 00:16:48,159 --> 00:16:50,157 in a rucksack on your back is how you do it? 330 00:16:50,157 --> 00:16:50,690 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Yeah that's right. 331 00:16:50,690 --> 00:16:52,090 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: And he gets on well with Jet? 332 00:16:52,270 --> 00:16:54,530 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Yeah! Poor thing Jet, you know, he is at 333 00:16:54,539 --> 00:16:56,710 that sort of age now where he just wants to grab everything. 334 00:16:56,719 --> 00:16:59,719 So as Jet slowly slips into retirement, there is a little 335 00:16:59,729 --> 00:17:01,979 bit of torture here and there with the grabbing of the ears, 336 00:17:01,989 --> 00:17:04,010 but she's so patient, you know. 337 00:17:04,150 --> 00:17:08,170 She accepted Magnus so well, there was just no jealousy. As 338 00:17:08,180 --> 00:17:11,849 long as Jet's next to me, she doesn't care. As simple as that. 339 00:17:13,510 --> 00:17:15,260 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: Life at this point is lived out in a 340 00:17:15,270 --> 00:17:18,520 camper van with Christian, often going ahead to cover the miles 341 00:17:18,530 --> 00:17:22,000 on his own, leaving his family in the van before heading back 342 00:17:22,010 --> 00:17:25,219 to collect them all and move on to the new start point. But 343 00:17:25,229 --> 00:17:28,339 there's one family member who's front of the queue for those 344 00:17:28,349 --> 00:17:29,540 daily reunions. 345 00:17:29,650 --> 00:17:31,760 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: If I've been out walking during the day, I 346 00:17:31,770 --> 00:17:35,719 open that van and it's Jet. I've got Kate and Magnus now, 347 00:17:35,729 --> 00:17:38,030 obviously, you know, sorry, you're gonna have to wait! How's 348 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:38,689 my girl? 349 00:17:40,069 --> 00:17:42,010 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: And it was at this point as we headed back 350 00:17:42,020 --> 00:17:45,439 to the now even busier beach to find water for Jet and drinks 351 00:17:45,449 --> 00:17:49,010 for us. We admitted between us that we probably talk to our 352 00:17:49,020 --> 00:17:51,810 dogs more than we talked to our people. 353 00:17:53,930 --> 00:17:57,719 One of the things I found surprised me, you know, as a dog 354 00:17:57,729 --> 00:18:01,119 owner, how much I talk to the dog as if it's another human! 355 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:03,329 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: And they don't talk back! It's brilliant! It's 356 00:18:03,339 --> 00:18:04,229 absolutely perfect! 357 00:18:04,239 --> 00:18:07,800 No, but you do. You know, you know, I never feel like she 358 00:18:07,810 --> 00:18:10,540 doesn't understand. I never feel like she doesn't get what I'm 359 00:18:10,550 --> 00:18:13,770 saying. And she always listens. That's what's nice. Always 360 00:18:13,780 --> 00:18:14,650 listens. 361 00:18:14,650 --> 00:18:18,380 Company, A way finder, a friend more than anything. 362 00:18:18,510 --> 00:18:21,069 But I just don't even class myself as a dog owner, we've 363 00:18:21,079 --> 00:18:23,609 crossed paths, we become friends. She just happens to not 364 00:18:23,619 --> 00:18:24,300 be able to speak. 365 00:18:24,310 --> 00:18:26,699 And, you know, when she needs something, I just need to 366 00:18:26,709 --> 00:18:30,030 provide that for her. We're just best buds. But I'm the one who 367 00:18:30,040 --> 00:18:31,619 has to give her the food. That's all it is. 368 00:18:31,969 --> 00:18:33,790 I'd do anything for this for this one mate. 369 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:36,550 People have often asked me, would you ever quit this walk? 370 00:18:36,560 --> 00:18:39,760 And I would say no, I wouldn't even dream of it. The only time 371 00:18:39,770 --> 00:18:42,790 I would is if she physically couldn't do anything anymore. 372 00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:44,599 That was the only time I would have stopped this but I wouldn't 373 00:18:44,609 --> 00:18:45,699 have done it for anyone else. 374 00:18:47,260 --> 00:18:49,130 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: Several months after meeting Christian, 375 00:18:49,140 --> 00:18:51,650 I wanted to catch up and see how everyone was. 376 00:18:51,650 --> 00:18:53,839 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Hello? 377 00:18:53,839 --> 00:18:55,880 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: Hi, it's Claire from the National Trust. 378 00:18:55,900 --> 00:18:56,880 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Hi Claire, how are you? Ok? 379 00:18:57,239 --> 00:18:59,050 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: I'm feeling like I might have woken you up 380 00:18:59,060 --> 00:19:00,703 or is Magnus sleeping? 381 00:19:00,703 --> 00:19:02,719 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Yeah Magnus is just sleeping next to me! 382 00:19:03,290 --> 00:19:05,439 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: I thought it might be that. How are you? 383 00:19:05,780 --> 00:19:07,589 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: I'm very well, thank you. Yeah. Really good. 384 00:19:07,599 --> 00:19:08,189 Really good. 385 00:19:08,359 --> 00:19:09,699 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: I just wanted to catch up with you 386 00:19:09,709 --> 00:19:12,890 really, because it's been a few months since I met you and when 387 00:19:12,900 --> 00:19:15,189 I met you, you hadn't actually finished the walk. So I just 388 00:19:15,199 --> 00:19:16,790 wanted to see how it all went? 389 00:19:16,900 --> 00:19:19,760 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Yeah, surreal to be honest with you, I think 390 00:19:19,770 --> 00:19:21,699 it's still trying to sink in that we've actually finished it, 391 00:19:21,709 --> 00:19:22,270 if I'm honest! 392 00:19:22,439 --> 00:19:24,920 The ending was just incredible. It really, really was. 393 00:19:25,109 --> 00:19:27,260 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: And I gather that you have some sad 394 00:19:27,270 --> 00:19:28,160 news about Jet? 395 00:19:28,719 --> 00:19:30,160 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Yeah, she, she's not good. 396 00:19:30,170 --> 00:19:33,369 She's not good at all. So, yeah, within the next month, I'm sad 397 00:19:33,380 --> 00:19:34,150 to say that- 398 00:19:35,150 --> 00:19:36,369 Yeah, that will be that. 399 00:19:36,369 --> 00:19:38,779 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: She did so much for you, didn't she? 400 00:19:38,779 --> 00:19:40,400 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Oh yeah of course of, of course. 401 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:42,800 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: Did that amazing walk as well? That's a 402 00:19:42,810 --> 00:19:45,640 dog that deserves a statue, which I think is your plan, 403 00:19:45,650 --> 00:19:46,199 isn't it? 404 00:19:46,219 --> 00:19:48,680 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Yes, indeed. Obviously, she helped me and she 405 00:19:48,689 --> 00:19:51,560 did the walk, which was amazing, but also she kind of dictated 406 00:19:51,569 --> 00:19:54,369 the pace of the walk. And, you know, that's how I met Kate if I 407 00:19:54,380 --> 00:19:56,839 had had yet, I wouldn't have had the family that I have now so 408 00:19:56,849 --> 00:19:57,949 I've got her to thank for that. 409 00:19:58,369 --> 00:20:02,005 So, yeah, in every aspect of her life in and in mine, she's- 410 00:20:02,005 --> 00:20:05,589 She's helped me. Yeah, I'm just so lucky to have had her 411 00:20:05,599 --> 00:20:07,880 basically, there's no doubt about it. 412 00:20:07,890 --> 00:20:08,829 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: Absolutely. 413 00:20:08,839 --> 00:20:11,972 Well, look, thank you so much for chatting to me. 414 00:20:11,972 --> 00:20:11,979 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: My Pleasure. 415 00:20:11,979 --> 00:20:15,170 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: And my good luck. Can you give Jet a cwtch 416 00:20:15,349 --> 00:20:16,040 from me? 417 00:20:16,439 --> 00:20:18,239 CHRISTIAN LEWIS: Of course, I will thank you ever so much. It 418 00:20:18,270 --> 00:20:18,969 was nice to chat with you. 419 00:20:18,969 --> 00:20:21,439 CLAIRE HICKINBOTHAM: Nice to talk to you Christian. Bye bye. 420 00:20:25,500 --> 00:20:30,130 Come on then, buddy! Let's go! 421 00:20:30,130 --> 00:20:30,530 All Clear. 422 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:35,239 I'm just about finishing up my walk with my best bud, buddy, at 423 00:20:35,250 --> 00:20:36,300 Coleshill. 424 00:20:37,739 --> 00:20:41,109 Christian's story is incredible to go from rock bottom to where 425 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:43,280 he is now is such a story of triumph. 426 00:20:43,949 --> 00:20:46,969 And yes, while his circumstances and his solution were quite 427 00:20:46,979 --> 00:20:50,469 extreme, I really hope that in listening to this podcast, you 428 00:20:50,479 --> 00:20:53,589 can either come away thinking what an incredible bloke, what 429 00:20:53,599 --> 00:20:56,599 an incredible family, what an amazing story or you've 430 00:20:56,609 --> 00:20:59,050 listened, thinking, I know that feeling. 431 00:20:59,060 --> 00:21:02,170 Thank God, but it's not just me that feels like that because 432 00:21:02,180 --> 00:21:05,000 that can be the worst of it when you're feeling low or feeling 433 00:21:05,010 --> 00:21:08,640 anxious or depressed, you feel like you're the only person who 434 00:21:08,650 --> 00:21:09,660 feels like that. 435 00:21:09,989 --> 00:21:13,310 So I hope that in listening to this podcast that you feel like 436 00:21:13,319 --> 00:21:17,780 there are brighter days ahead and maybe you've just listened 437 00:21:17,790 --> 00:21:21,160 to this podcast thinking how ace dogs are. But we knew that 438 00:21:21,170 --> 00:21:21,699 anyway! 439 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:36,609 Thanks for listening to this episode of the National Trust 440 00:21:36,619 --> 00:21:40,030 Podcast. There's lots of help available on the MIND website, 441 00:21:40,040 --> 00:21:42,930 the mental health charity if some of what Christian had been 442 00:21:42,939 --> 00:21:46,140 through, resonated with you and you can find a link in our show 443 00:21:46,150 --> 00:21:46,670 notes. 444 00:21:47,140 --> 00:21:49,900 And if you've been inspired by Christian's story and want to 445 00:21:49,910 --> 00:21:52,300 read more about him, there's lots of articles on the SSAFA 446 00:21:52,449 --> 00:21:55,449 website, the Armed Forces Charity he was raising money 447 00:21:55,459 --> 00:21:55,900 for. 448 00:21:56,079 --> 00:21:58,430 For more information, you can follow the links on this 449 00:21:58,439 --> 00:22:01,640 episode's show notes where you can also find advice about 450 00:22:01,650 --> 00:22:03,859 taking your dog to National Trust Places. 451 00:22:04,540 --> 00:22:07,020 If you've enjoyed this podcast, keep listening for brand new 452 00:22:07,030 --> 00:22:10,079 episodes of National Trust podcasts released twice a month 453 00:22:10,319 --> 00:22:13,060 and don't forget to follow and review us on your favorite 454 00:22:13,069 --> 00:22:18,099 podcast app or head to NationalTrust.org/podcasts for 455 00:22:18,109 --> 00:22:21,119 now from me, Claire Hickinbotham. Goodbye.