It was back at the Veteran’s Breakfast 31st August 2019 when The Orkney News met Chris Lewis in person whose challenge to walk the UK we had been following since the start, 1st August 2017. On July 28th 2023, Chris was back where it had all started, over 6 years ago.

Chris Lewis walked the coast & islands of the UK for SSAFA(Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association). Along the way he met Jet, the dog, Kate who was to become his wife, and Magnus their wee boy.

It has been a tremendous journey – not just covering the geography of the coastline. It included visits to both Orkney and Shetland. When the Covid pandemic and lockdown happened Chris spent three months in the uninhabited island, Hildasay.

On his Facebook page Chris posted:

“So yesterday we sat in exactly the same spot where I stood six years ago when a voice come in to my head and said.….

“Walk the UK costline!!!

“The beautiful Rhossilli looking down the cliffs towards Llangenith.

“It was an unbelievable and momentous moment for me to say the least!!

“The man you see in this picture is a completely different man to the guy who stood here six years ago!.

“As I’ve said before!! The flame inside me back then was so dim it hardly had any life left in it!! And now she burns stronger and brighter than ever before.

“I sat and thought of my daughter Caitlin, and how incredibly proud I am of her!

“I sat and looked at Kate Jet and Magnus and smiled with total pride at them all on what they also have achieved.

“And inside my head came a soft and content voice telling me, You done it chris! You only bloody done it!!!.

“One mile left tomorrow and this adventure is over.

“What an incredible adventure it has been

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Chris has also written about his journey in – Finding Hildasay: How one man walked the UK’s coastline and found hope and happiness

Fiona Grahame