WELL I’M back home, sprained ankle on the mend with the aid of rest and some physiotherapy. I didn’t complete walking all of the Pekoe Trail this time. I had to finish a couple of days early due to injury. But I’ll be back out there again soon to finish it 🙂
What went well?
- I packed just the right amount of clothes and essentials for my 12-day trek. In hindsight, I could have managed with just one pair of trousers!
- The daily trail length, averaging around 15km, was a perfect challenge – tough enough to be rewarding without being overwhelming.
- Waking up at 5:30 am meant a cool and refreshing start, and setting off by 6 am helped us avoid the midday sun.
- The accommodations were great – friendly, clean, and functional. While some were about a 30-minute tuk-tuk ride from the finish point of each stage, this was never a major issue.
- I chose to complete just one stage per day, which gave me time to stop in local villages, connect with the communities, and truly soak up the atmosphere. I captured countless photos to share and reflect on later. The slower pace also allowed me to unwind in the afternoons, cool off, and write my daily blog.
- Trekking mostly alone was incredible. Though I always had my guide Sarath with me, I loved the freedom of setting my own pace – never having to worry about being too fast or too slow. I stopped wherever and whenever I wanted, and that made the experience even more special.
What I’ll do differently next time
- Opt for walking boots with ankle support instead of walking shoes.
- Invest in a more supportive rucksack with a waist strap and pack it better – keeping heavier items at the top.
- Bring light-coloured, dry-fit long-sleeved tops to reflect the sun, rather than relying on my black sun-absorbing one and washing it every evening.
- Get my own walking poles since the borrowed ones did a great job protecting my hips and knees.
- Switch to a camel water pack instead of carrying water bottles each day.
- And most importantly – avoid slipping and twisting my ankle!
Top 3 Highlights of my trip
1. Book launch events in Colombo and Kandy
2. Reconnecting with friends & making new ones – too many to list all!
3. Meeting communities along 100 km of tea estate worker trails
Collecting for next time
Help Bring the Gift of Sight to Rural Communities
During my travels, one pressing need kept surfacing – access to spectacles for people in rural areas. For many, clear vision is a luxury they simply cannot afford. That’s why I’m making it my mission this year to collect as many glasses as possible to take with me on my next visit.
Do you have a pair of glasses sitting in a drawer, unused and forgotten? Those very frames could change someone’s life! In Sri Lanka, eyewear is costly, making donated glasses a priceless resource for those in need. Once collected, an optician will assess and match each pair to an individual, giving them the gift of sight and new opportunities.
How You Can Help:
– Donate any unwanted prescription glasses or frames.
– Reach out to arrange collection or drop-off.
– Share this message to spread the word!
Together, we can make a real difference. Let’s turn unused glasses into a brighter future for many.
FURTHER SPONSORSHIP – If you’d like to support my mission to help those in need in Sri Lanka, knowing that every penny will go directly to those who need it, please consider making a donation by clicking this link. If you’re a UK taxpayer, don’t forget to declare Gift Aid – it increases your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you! Also, if you know someone or an organisation that might be interested in this cause, please share this blog link with them. Every share helps spread the word and make a difference