Helen Wallis

Threads - The Walking Traveller

Helen's life is intertwined with nature. From childhood beach explorations to long-distance hikes, she finds solace and adventure outdoors. Overcoming challenges like job loss and personal loss, she rediscovers herself through a solo Camino Frances walk. This ignites a passion for historical trails, leading her across Europe and Australia. Helen embraces both solo and shared hikes, cherishing encounters with diverse people and breathtaking landscapes. Driven by a desire to explore and learn, she inspires others to embrace the transformative power of nature and walking. Her story is a testament to the joy and fulfilment found in connecting with the earth.

Roots and Wings: Exploring the formative experiences that shaped Helen's love for nature and walking:

Looking through my life from childhood to the present day, I see a life full of achievements, happiness, sadness, friends and family, loved and lost. A lifetime of memories. A life, where people and places, have shaped the person I am today.

The common thread through my life is love of all thing’s nature and walking. Whether intentionally, or unintentionally, nature has been supporting me and influencing my choices all through my life.

I grew up in a small beachside town on the coast in Queensland, Australia. As a child, the days were full of fun at the beach. Running barefoot through paddocks, climbing trees and investigating bugs, birdlife and insects, until, at the age of 10 the tragedy of losing my father brought that world crashing down.

Having to transfer to another State and school, leaving everything I had known in life for the unknown, I struggled.

High school was a blur and perhaps the only connections I made was through outdoor sports. I would choose to walk all the way home finding new dirt paths and paddocks to cross over instead of the easy way, catching buses home. I liked the solace of being on my own. I was lucky we still lived near the beach and long walks along the coastal paths and swimming in the sea, became very familiar to me.

I was lucky to be given a job in a bank at 15, one that I didn’t choose, but needed, to help support the family. In those years it was a very male-dominated arena and I think, for the first 6 months, I licked stamps and ran errands. It was a crushing time for any woman who wanted to excel in a career. The one great thing that came out of my banking years, was meeting my husband, and having two wonderful children together.

I was given the greatest opportunity as my children grew to introduce them to the things I loved as a child, it gave me great happiness to be able to take them into nature, to once again pick up the thread of what I loved and weave with them a life of joy and adventures, through nature. Something I do now with their children.

When I turned the age of 60 I had another traumatic time of losing my job (retrenched), I was no longer in the Bank, but in a job I loved. It turned my world upside down, a world now where I was questioning who I was. I knew I had the labels of wife, mother, sister, daughter, etc, but now I was also given another label and that being “in the old age bracket! ”

I was not going to accept this label, no way!

So with the family waving me off at the airport, I went in search of Helen and to find the person I was, by walking solo 900+ kilometres across the length of Spain on the Camino Frances. This was so out of my comfort zone, but for some reason, I blindly went knowing, I was going to be okay.

As I walked, I carried with me the threads of my life, the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. I sat on mountains and let old wounds blow away in the wind, I shed tears of joy as Mother Nature held me dear. As I walked and left my footprints on an ancient trail, I started to weave my story along the way following a little yellow arrow. As I walked, my thread got stronger and stronger and the true Helen started to emerge.

The walk didn’t change me but brought back to me the person I always was, it had peeled back the layers of life, that sometimes we unnecessarily carry.

I can’t really say when my leisurely walks became long-distance hikes. I think it was a process that took time over the years. It wasn’t until I was retired that I started finding my love of long historical and pilgrim trails. I had found my passion. To walk on trails where historic figures from history books walked. To be humbled along trails where heroic men and women were left behind on the landscape of the Western Front, but never forgotten. To sit and take my time to listen to stories from people from all over the world, not to mention the beautiful scenery that I see on every twist and turn on the horizon. I had entered a world where I felt so much peace and happiness.

Charting the Course: Delving into the meticulous planning process behind Helen's hiking adventures:

Researching my hikes is an enjoyable process for me, even finding a hike is fun. I have an overflowing bucket list, so I always have a few to choose from. I do like hiking in Europe, but in saying that I love hiking in Australia, especially Tasmania’s wilderness areas. First I usually find myself a map or guide of where I’m going, work out how many kilometres the walk actually is, then it is a matter of roughly working out how many kilometres I’d like to walk a day, which then brings me to how many months, I might be away. Next what to pack. Over the years, I’ve learnt what to pack for my needs and I have got better at it, also equipment and clothing has got lighter. If hiking in Europe I usually stay in an Albergue or inexpensive lodging so no need to carry a tent or bedding. Usually in Australia, I will be camping so making sure I have my tent and food all prepped is so important.

Training is also an important factor, although I never seem to stop training. You will usually find me out hiking once or twice a week and two to three times in the gym. I change the schedule to suit, once I have decided on a route.

Then it’s a matter of the logistics on how to get to the trailhead. Either way, the whole process is the start of my journey, before I’ve even placed my footprints on the trail.

Pushing Boundaries: Reflecting on the longest hiking trip Helen has undertaken and the challenges she overcame:

The trails that I have walked are from anywhere from 65k’s on the Overland Track in Tasmania's wilderness, to over 1,200k’s, on the Via Francigena walking from Canterbury Cathedral in England to Rome, Italy. It is a much longer trail over 2,000 kilometres, but I had to miss a section due to ill health. Vowing to return to finish.

The Camino Frances from France to Spain was also around 1,000 kilometres.

A World Without Borders: Embracing the diverse landscapes and cultures encountered on hikes across multiple countries:

I have been so fortunate to walk East to West across several countries, walking across England on the C2C, Spain on the Camino Frances, and Japan on the Kumano Kodo, twice. Walking across France on the Via Francigena.

Walking North to South on the Camino Portugues, Scotlands West Highland Way, Camino Ingles in Spain, Robert Louis Stevenson Trail (GR70) in France, Via Francigena Italy, in fact several other trails in Italy, England and France. Hiking on the remote Faroe Islands, recently was a major highlight, and of course hiking in Australia is always memorable.

I’ve often been asked how many kilometres I have walked over the years. All I can say is I wish I knew, and wish I’d kept count. I’d only be guessing by saying many thousands of kilometres.

Solo or Shared Footsteps: Exploring the advantages and experiences of hiking alone and with companions:

For many of my hikes, I have walked solo or with one other friend. I like solo hiking as I don’t mind my own company and if gives me opportunities to be in control of my own walk, time to sit and write, and listen to strangers' stories, I believe you meet more people when you are on your own, more one on one connections. In fact, I might be hiking alone, but I never feel lonely. Hiking with someone else is different altogether. I think you have to be compatible with one another, especially on a long-distance walk. Considerations need to be made for each other. But at the end of the day, you have someone to sit with and share experiences with. You can also share gear to carry to lighten the load.

Footprints and Heartprints: Sharing unforgettable moments and encounters from various trails:

Stories from the trail, I’m often told you must write a book about all your stories and experiences and maybe one day I will. I do have a selection I have started on. I have been blessed over the years to have met some wonderful people and it will be very hard to put into one paragraph. While walking the Camino Frances I met so many courageous people overcoming obstacles in their life journeys. Walking across France on a trail edged by red poppies swaying in the breeze, the trail weaving a thread through the Western Front. It had me choking back the tears for all the sons, daughters, mothers, fathers sisters and brothers, as I left my footprints on the ground where so many still remain. I will always be eternally grateful for the life I lead, and the life lesson that trail gave me.

The generosity of spirit, of the man who came up to me on the first day of walking the Via Francigena in Canterbury, England, on my way to Rome. He asked “where I was going”, and then he asked me “ why”. After a chat, he reached into his neckline for the rosary he was wearing and gave them to me. He told me to think of him when I arrived at the Vatican City.

The many picnics along the trail sitting under ancient olive trees. Butterflies and dragonflies with iridescent blue wings landing on me, as I ate. Placing my feet on ancient Roman roads blew my mind thinking of all those that had walked before me. Crossing over the Pyrenees and lying on the thick damp grass watching the Eagles soaring in the wind currents, is still one of my favourite memories. Being warmly invited into a church and served tea and biscuits along a trail in England, and meeting the congregation who were so interested in me. The beautiful elderly man in France and his squeaky bicycle who opened a church for me, with the largest key to an ancient door, I’d ever seen. He took the time in his day to sit and have a chat with me. How can I forget the School teacher in Japan who came across me on the trail after a fall, blood streaming down my face with a cut above my eye. He told me “Don’t worry I’m a school teacher, I will help you”. All I could do was laugh, and he laughed with me!

It is always the people along the way whose stories touch you the most. It is a basic human connection that makes you realise we’re all pretty much the same. The little old lady shuffling along a footpath in a remote French village asking me “what are you doing in Australia about climate change,” she was 92. For the most part, people are caring, giving, helpful, and interesting, and over the years the one thing I have learnt, everyone has a story, if you just take the time to listen.

The Unending Trail: Understanding the driving force behind Helen's continued passion for hiking:

What motivates me now is time and my never-ending bucket list. I’m now into the last quarter of my life and although I work at being healthy and fit I don’t know how long my body is going to hold out. Don’t get me wrong, I want to be still hiking into my 90’s, and inspiring people. There are so many trails out there to walk, so many more stories out there to be heard and told, and so many life lessons still to be had. My motivation is to just keep going and appreciate all the beautiful things that life has given me and still has to offer.

An Invitation to Explore: Offering valuable advice and encouragement for aspiring hikers:

If you are interested and have been inspired to take up walking/hiking, I can’t say it enough, “just go out and do it.”

If you don’t wish to walk on your own join a walking club, or encourage a friend or family member, to go with you. Also on Social Media and Google, you may find a walking club in your area. Being able to walk with experienced hikers you can always learn so much. You will never regret it. I started out, by just walking out the front door and around my block. I joined a club with like-minded women and then became a leader on hikes. Something that I really do enjoy. Now so many years later, I have the confidence to walk the world. Not everyone wants to do this or has the time, but start by planning a walk once a month and commit to it. Start small and feel your way. Equipment can be expensive too, and costs may be a consideration. Nature is a wonderful place to be in, whether it’s walking along a rugged coastal trail, tree-covered bush tracks or along a mountain ridge, where your eyes gaze out to a horizon that never ends.

Wherever you hike, you will find a place that fills your heart.

Essentials for the Journey: Providing insights on essential gear and safety considerations for short and long hikes:

What to bring and not bring on a hike. As mentioned your equipment can be expensive, but there are some basics to start out with.

Clothing - Good hiking shoes, trail shoes or a full boot. You decide what suits your hiking needs. Go to a well-known hiking store and try on everything you can, till you feel comfortable. For clothing, just walk in something you are comfortable in and suitable for the weather. No jeans though. Also, there’s a saying “there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing.” A rain jacket or poncho, because you don’t want to be the one saying “ I can’t walk today because it’s raining”. A wide-brim sun hat. For women a must is a “Kula Cloth”, please don’t leave toilet paper in the bush, when you go to the toilet. That goes for everything you bring with you, take it all home with you. Leave no trace.

Equipment - It will be the same for your backpack, our bodies are all shaped differently, so try and try again until one is comfortable for you. Maybe start out with a small day pack. If you are on an overnight hike, your tent, sleeping bag and mat are important. Before going to the expense of buying everything, see if you can borrow, or hire some equipment, to see what you are comfortable with.

Your safety - A few safety routines to follow, tell someone where you are going, even if it is only 5 k’s. Have a clear intention and knowledge of where you are going to hike and don’t go off track. The most important safety equipment is a PLB, a personal location beacon. You can buy many on the market, and find out which one meets your needs. There are also companies out there where you can hire them from. Walking poles have saved me on many a long day, out there on the trail. Water and food, make sure you take enough water, or know, where there is a water source. Food when doing a multi-day hike, I always take an extra day's food requirements just in case I am held up on the trail. For a day hike, snacks and food for lunch. Food that is going to give you the calories to maintain your energy levels through your hike. A little treat never hurts either. Mine is a Snickers bar, and that’s how I got my trial name, “Snickers”.

A Gift from the Earth: Helen's heartfelt message about the transformative power of hiking and connecting with nature:

Hiking has given me so much in my life, to leave my footprints in a world that has given me friendships from all over, experienced life lessons that have humbled me, made me stronger and gave me confidence, viewed exceptional scenery that took my breath away, in countries I never dreamt of as a young girl. Going out of my comfort zone and knowing what I can achieve.

Hiking in Nature, along a dirt track isn’t just about walking end to end, it is so, so, much more. You don’t have to climb the highest mountain, walk the longest trail or even a 30-kilometre day, on a trail. Find your “tribe” of like-minded people and where your passion lies, you will for sure, be rewarded.

I hope you all get a chance to experience what putting one foot in front of the other out on a trail with Mother Nature is like. It’s a gift.

It is a beautiful gift, a gift you can all give to yourselves.

For the most part, people are caring, giving, helpful, and interesting, and over the years the one thing I have learnt, everyone has a story, if you just take the time to listen.