Finding hildasay : How one man walked the UK's coastline and found hope and happiness

In his darkest depression, one idea brought Christian Lewis out of the depths - and into a new life. Finding Hildasay, read by the author, is a brutal and beautiful true story of depression, survival, walking, and the meaning of home. ‘Now I was finally out of the force of the wind, my body began to warm – the part where the real pain sets in. I’d felt it plenty of times before on this journey, but this time it was different. As I began to regain feeling in my fingers and toes, it burned so strongly that I just sat in tears of pain.’ Ex-paratrooper Christian Lewis had hit rock bottom, suffering with depression so severe he would shut himself in his bedroom for weeks. Then while surfing – his only respite – he cast his eyes along the coastline and realized it was the only place he really wanted to be. Making an impulsive decision to set himself a challenge – walk the entire coastline of the UK – Chris gave himself a few days to rustle up a tent and walking boots, then left for good with just a tenner in his pocket and two days’ worth of food. Little did he know at the time just how long it would take to cross the finish line – and the encounters that lay ahead that would turn his life around. Five years later, Chris has navigated the West Coast, Northern Ireland, the hard-rock cliffs of Scotland and the perimeters of the Scottish Islands . He spent three months on an uninhabited island called Hildasay, where there was no fresh water or food. It was there, the most barren his route had become, that the more pride and respect he found within himself – and the more remarkable his journey became. Happiness and hope was just around the corner. ‘now I Was Finally Out Of The Force Of The Wind, My Body Began To Warm – The Part Where The Real Pain Sets In. I’d Felt It Plenty Of Times Before On This Journey, But This Time It Was Different. As I Began To Regain Feeling In My Fingers And Toes, It Burned So Strongly That I Just Sat In Tears Of Pain.’ Christian Lewis Had Hit Rock Bottom, Suffering With Depression So Severe He Would Shut Himself In His Bedroom For Weeks. Then, In August 2017, While Surfing – His Only Respite – He Cast His Eyes Along The Coastline And Realised It Was The Only Place He Really Wanted To Be. Making An Impulsive Decision To Set Himself A Challenge – Walk The Entire Coastline Of The Uk – He Gave Himself A Few Days To Rustle Up A Tent And Walking Boots, Then Left For Good With Just A Tenner In His Pocket And Two Days’ Worth Of Food. Little Did He Know At The Time Just How Long It Would Take To Cross The Finish Line – And The Encounters That Lay Ahead That Would Turn His Life Around. Some Many Miles Later, He Has Navigated The West Coast, Northern Ireland, The Hard-rock Cliffs Of Scotland And The Perimeters Of The Scottish Islands – Where He Spent Three Months On An Uninhabited Island Called Hildasay, Where There Was No Fresh Water Or Food. It Was There, The Most Barren His Route Had Become, That The More Pride And Respect He Found Within Himself – And The More Remarkable His Journey Became. Happiness And Hope Was Just Around The Corner. With A Foreword From Long-time Supporter Ben Fogle, Finding Hildasay Is A Brutal And Beautiful True Story Of Depression, Survival And The Meaning Of Home. The Sunday Times Bestseller and featured on Ben Fogle's New Lives in the Wild. Join Christian Lewis as he walks the entire coastline of the UK – his dog Jet in tow – and rebuilds his life, step by step. With a foreword from longtime supporter Ben Fogle, Finding HIldasay is his inspiring true story of reconnecting with nature and finding hope along the way. Ex-paratrooper Christian Lewis had hit rock bottom, suffering with depression so severe he would shut himself in his bedroom for weeks. Then while surfing – his sole respite – he cast his eyes along the coastline and realized it was the only place he really wanted to be. Then, Chris made an impulsive decision. He set himself a challenge: to walk the entire coastline of the UK. He gave himself a few days to rustle up a tent and walking boots, then left for good with just a tenner in his pocket and two days' worth of food. Little did he know at the time just how long it would take to cross the finish line – and the encounters lying ahead would turn his life around. Almost six years later, Chris has navigated the West Coast, Northern Ireland, the hard-rock cliffs of Scotland and the perimeters of the Scottish Islands. He spent three months on an uninhabited island called Hildasay, with beloved dog Jet. It was there, the most barren his route had become, that he found within himself the pride and respect he needed – and his journey became all the more remarkable. Happiness and hope was just around the corner . . .