Woman walking round Wales.... with a donkey

A WOMAN is walking right around Wales with a donkey called Chico to raise awareness that a big adventure can be found right on our doorstep.

Hannah Engelkamp was writing about the opening of the Wales Coast Path last year and “just couldn’t get it out of my head.”

 She has wanted to walk the Pembrokeshire Coast Path for many years and said it was easier to take three months off work than three weeks.

 Hannah bought five-year-old Chico especially for the walk earlier this year. But why a donkey?

 She said: “Many youngsters have their first tiny adventure riding along a beach for 10 minutes so I thought why not a hike round Wales with one.

 “I didn’t want to be alone for 1,000 miles. I’m not a dog person – they kept biting me when I was a kid. But everyone loves donkeys . They are companionable, strong, stoic, dependable – all of the traits you need in a good travel buddy.

 “They have their own characters and foibles too – I reckon it’s a dead cert for an interesting travelogue and he’s bound to be an ice-breaker.

Hannah, who was born in Aberystwyth but now lives in London, added: “And Chico will carry my bags, so I can take some second-tier necessities like a stove and my ukulele.”

 Since setting off north from Aberystwyth a month ago Hannah and Chico have already met beach donkeys at Aberdyfi and Barmouth.

 “We’ve met many, many interesting people and been struck by their kindness and interest in our journey. Some have suggested places to stay and places to visit.”

 Last night Hannah and Chico had arrived at Caernarfon and were preparing to undertake the path along the North Wales coast.

 Hannah said: “It’s been great fun so far. We’ve travelled along the Gwynedd coastline and onto the Lln Peninsula and heading past Clynnog to Caernarfon. From here we’ll head towards Anglesey. I may do the island on my own. We’re not able to use the coastal path because Chico can’t manage stiles or kissing gates so we are walking more on roads than I hoped – we’ve been on cycle tracks, bridleways, farm tracks, green lanes and B-roads.”

 Many of these paths have historic connections with beasts of burden such as Chico “It’s not like I’m with a llama or an elephant who have no connection with Wales,” she said.

  The weather has been kind to Hannah and Chico so far. “We’ve only had four days of very heavy rain but even those days have been refreshingly different. The weather gives a different view on the beautiful Welsh countryside,” she said.

  They will continue along the coast to Prestatyn when they will head along the Offa’s Dyke Trail to Chepstow, picking up the Coast Path again for the trek along the South Wales Coast towards Pembrokeshire and the final stretch along Ceredigion’s coastline. Walking about 15 miles a day, she hopes to reach her home town in October.