Artist Emma Scattergood is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Association by sketching 50 pictures along the South West Coast Path as she attempts to walk 630-miles over the year, and raise funds for the charity at the same time! In this article, Emma reflects on the first few months of her time on the Path and how the experience has impacted her both physically and emotionally, and in ways that she did not foresee or expect.
Life Lessons From the Path
It’s fair to say that, when I embarked on the 50 Pictures for 50 Years challenge, I had no idea what a rollercoaster of experiences, emotions and life lessons awaited me, but I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing.
The Power of the Path
I’m sure I’m not the first to say that walking the coast path is transformative. Especially, I think, if you are doing it alone and, in my case, in some of the wettest weeks on record!
Like many women, my sense of self had been somewhat eroded by years of juggling work, family, and caring demands but my experiences on the path have been enlightening and restorative. The coastline is utterly beautiful, of course, but it can also be unpredictable, remote, and challenging. A stretch between Coverack and Cadgwith that I’d walked with ease a few summers ago was transformed into a startlingly nerve-wracking resilience test when Storm Noah got involved! But, I will certainly never forget it and, in meeting and overcoming every challenge, learned that I am far more resilient and capable than I thought.
A creative approach
It has also taught me lessons in the importance of listening to my own voice and needs, rather than following the herd. I started my coast path challenge by following the standard approach and arranged accommodation based on the number of miles the guide books suggest one cover per day. But I soon realised that a creative soul is not a standard soul and had to start unpicking all of those plans!
For me, this ‘challenge’ isn’t about getting miles under my belt but capturing the experience of being on the coast path. This means frequent stopping, looking, making notes and drawing – inhaling all the beautiful sensory inspiration that the coast path exudes without rushing to get to the next point. When I meet people on the way, the most frequent question I’m asked is How many miles have you done? But I honestly, don’t have an answer for them! In a world where people are increasingly obsessed with metrics such as step counts and miles per hour, I’m not sure they believe me. But I might cover 12 miles one day, and two the next.
In a recent ‘pinch-myself’ moment, I was interviewed for 630 miles, the SWCPA podcast alongside one of my creative heroes, the landscape artist Kurt Jackson. And I literally punched the air in delight when he endorsed my approach: ‘It’s all about the slow,’ he said. ‘You should allow yourself to linger sometimes.’
The kindness of strangers
This does create logistical issues in terms of accommodation, so I’ve found that being based in one spot for a few days and walking in either direction currently works best for me – especially if the bus service is good. I have stayed with old friends, embraced youth hostels, and discovered how much I love camping alone in quiet fields – especially if it’s not raining!
I have also been deeply moved by the generosity of strangers who have donated to my JustGiving pot or offered me accommodation, either as a result of seeing press coverage about my journey, or because they’ve simply seen me out in the pouring rain. I particularly loved a moment in a Devon cove when a lovely young woman offered to share her towel with me, so I could join her for a refreshing dip in the sea.
At a time when the larger world can feel somewhat insular and intimidating, being on the magical, restorative Path proves that the majority of people are still open, beautiful souls.
Follow Emma’s journey :
Instagram @artfromtheshore
Facebook @TheCreative Path – Emma Scattergood
If you’d like to donate to the charities Emma is supporting, South West Coast Path Association and Dementia UK, please go to www.JustGiving.com/team/thecreativepathchallenge
Read Emma’s first blog: https://southwestcoastpath.org/2023/02/17/fifty-pictures-for-50-years/
The South West Coast Path 