Up Close with coastline walker Blue Wilson as she reaches Shotley peninsula

Nub News gets Up Close with UK Coastline walker Blue Wilson who talks, about walking across a beach littered with discarded ammunition, a close encounter with the Queen, selling a painting to a top MP, and raising fund for Surfers Against Sewage.

It doesn't take long to realise Blue Wilson is a woman on a mission.

No hanging about, no short cuts this 48-year-old town council caretaker from Selby in Yorkshire is out to walk the 11,000 miles around the UK mainland, although she will throw in a few Scottish island for good measure.

Although there are no strict rules about walking around the UK, she is in agreement with Jim Morton, a former sailor who previously passed through the peninsula on his chair walk for the Ghurkas, that getting ferries or other similar short cuts is not on.

But she is also doing this walk her own way. Not for Blue the usual non-stop hike but instead she is fitting in the huge trek in between her day job of looking after her town's municipal buildings and cemetery, meaning she can only walk while taking her annual leave, and bank holiday weekends.

Blue Wilson and Andy Argyle (Picture credit: Peninsula Nub News)

Nub News met Blue, and partner Andrew, after they crossed the Orwell Bridge and made their way down to the Suffolk Food Hall. After brief introductions and obligatory photos, support vehicle driver Andrew was off to sample the delights of the Food Hall and Blue and I were off along the Strand.

And I mean we were off. Blue walks with pace and purpose and yet natters away without a need to catch her breath.

Sticking religiously to the public footpaths pre-planned on her phone's route map we skirt Freston Tower and before we know it we are at Woolverstone and by then explained how a combination of factors had prompted the journey, which started last year.

Although already a keen walker, Blue got a taste for it while walking the Cleveland Way, which took in a lot of coastline., that led her to decide she wanted to see the whole of the UK's coastline.

Blue Wilson at Woolverstone marina (Picture credit: Nub News)

he frustration of lockdown, a realisation of how the drudgery of her job was dragging her down, and then factor in a steady decline in her marriage and the free-spirited former artist was ready for a challenge.

"I wasn't in a good place," admitted Blue. "I needed something and this has been ideal for me. Yes, there are still dark days but I know getting out walking, clearing my head while meeting people, seeing beautiful sights and visiting amazing places has helped me without doubt."

Once the miles started ticking by, Blue realised she could do a bit of fundraising on the way and given the nature of her walk, the animal lover with a passion for the environment and wordplay chose two marine conservation charities Surfers Against Sewage and Sea Changers.

Blue said: "I have become increasingly aware of the perils endangering our oceans, marine life, coastal communities and climate.

"I have seen first hand some of the great work my chosen charities have done and I want to help by contributing as much as possible to their future projects."

Donate to Blue's JustGiving page here...

Blue passing the Grindle at Pin Mill (Picture credit: Nub News)

We reached Pin Mill which Blue loved, who doesn't? "I could live on the peninsula', she mused. But admitted she had felt that way about many of the villages and out of the way places she had passed through.

One place she would avoid though was a wide open beach in Yorkshire when she found herself in the middle of an area carpeted with shells, and not those of the normal seaside variety.

Blue had wandered across an area where the MOD had used as a practise range by firing int the cliffs. Coastal erosion and caused the cliffs to collapse and shells, including some live one had been scattered across the beach.

Although bomb disposal teams had been out to detonate some that had been found, it was unclear how many more were live.

"I was in the middle of it before I realised all the munitions around me," she said. "I thought about going back but thought that was pointless and just keep going forward - very carefully."

Another close encounter, of a more pleasant kind, was when wandering down the Norfolk coast near Sandringham and being forced to back into a wall as the Queen was being driven past on her way to church.

"I didn't realise who it was until I carried on and was met by group of paparazzi who told me who had been in the cars," said Blue. "Even though I had waved I didn't actually see the Queen, but she saw me."

Once through Heritage Wood and the coastal path along the Arthur Ransom Trail opened up, Blue was in full photographer mode, loving the yachts, birds and barges along the Orwell.

It was noticeable Blue was taking even more pics the close we got to Shotley marina, which was probably down to waiting for me to catch up such is her nature.

Orwell Bridge crossed (Picture credit: Nub News)(Picture credit: Nub News)

Andrew was waiting for us on the marina footpath and were were soon supping at the Shipwreck with Blue admitted she was a fan of Suffolk cider fan, especially Aspalls.

Although a Yorkshire lass through through, Blue, who uses her middle name rather than the Christian name of Anne, spent time on London studying art and is such a talented artist she sold a painting to former MP and now succfessful TV presenter Michael Portillo.

It is possible the creative side of Blue will come out in all the photos she has taken, or even a book, but there are many miles to cover yet.

Peninsula from Orwell Bridge (Picture credit: Blue Wilson)

So far Blue is 59 walking days into her approximately five year journey, because unlike those before her has chosen to vary her walks by heading north or south as the mood takes, before having to go back to the day job, although she always starts where she left off.

hat means Blue will be back at the end of August to start against from Shotley Gate towards, Erwarton, Harkstead Holbrook and then Stutton, Cattawade and Brantham before crossing the border and heading for Harwich.

It probably comes as no surprise to learn Sir David Attenborough is her absolute hero, and she was delighted to learn the British Antarctic Survey ship named in his honour has her home across the river from Shotley gate. The ship, compete with Boaty McBoatface wasn't in when Blue finished this leg of her walk.