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Since the time I have been hiking or exploring the Himalayas- I have clearly understood one thing- Nature feels that we want to get closer to it- Nature senses it well and makes our plans happen. The universe conspires to make it happen. Something similar happened on my second excursion. I had everything planned, put up my plan on every social media platform but no one responded (Well, it was deep down expected!). Uncertainty grew more as there were some social commitments hovering around.

So, even though I had everything planned out, I wasn’t sure at all if I’d be able to go for it.

The Second D-Day

Finally, the day arrived. The morning went by and I had almost given up when my husband who always supports me in everything I wish to do said “Let’s go!”

Amused, I asked Where? to which he promptly replied, “Don’t you have your excursion?”

I was excited (and of course impressed!!!!). Extra brownie points go to him for this out-of-the-green plan.

Off we went for the Headley Heath Circuit on Surrey Hills. It was about 40 mins drive from home. We arrived, parked our car and made our way to the entrance where they had put up a map.

There were a few trails in that area and we picked the Lizard Trail (the yellow dotted lines shown in the map which was to be identified by a yellow marker). Lizard for one thing in life- seemed interesting.

We began the trail, but voila – we couldn’t see any marker for the Lizard Trail. Instead we found markers of another trail that we decided to follow thinking there might be other yellow markers further down on our path.

There were a few people in the beginning of the trail whom we had crossed, but most of them were returning as the end of day was nearing. Soon, it was just the two of us in the woods. Getting lost or found in the woods with the love of your life, every couple should put on their Couple Goals.

The density, sudden changes in landscapes and terrains, the serenity and stillness of the place blew our minds.

A raw place like this, and an atmosphere like this always strikes up a good conversation and who could be a better company than your best friend and your life partner.

We had some honest and heart endearing conversations while on the trail- what we spoke is for some other day :).

We kept following the trail and let it take us wherever it went. Soon, we found ourselves on a hill which gave a spectacular view of the place. There was a bench under the tree to pause and savour the view. We sat there in silence, admired the beauty and then discussed our path further (as we could see trails from up there). We had long before given up following the markers, we were only following the trail as per our instinct.

When we felt we have had enough and it started to get a little chilled, we made our way back. As soon as we exited the forest, and lol! We found the first yellow marker!!

That’s how even our life is, isn’t it? Serendipities occur in life and our relationships, but do we have the time to wait and watch?

No matter how much you plan or try to control, life always takes its own course, and, in the end, everything is just perfect and worth it. So folks, don’t worry if you don’t find the markers you expect, it only means you are following the path that God has designed for you. Life does happen unplanned.

Written by: Chahna D.

Edited by: Milauni T.

Facebook page: Himalayaswithin

Instagram: @himalayaswithin • Instagram photos and videos

It was in August of 2015 when I first landed in the UK. In this 2.5 years, I have already moved houses a few times. Each house comes with a personality and a unique vibe of its own. Until now, I have found a place of my own where I intend to spend some years hoping to create memories for life. I have done a few hikes in the past and some nature walks in different parts of this country but did not find a purpose as appealing as I had found after my first Himalayan trek in Kashmir Great Lakes back home in India.

Having found a place to live very close to Surrey, I went to this excursion as I would usually do when my husband is off to his cricket. Heard of ‘life’ happening to our plans? Although my walk was planned, I was poorly prepared – was wearing sketchers, did not have water, a printed map, nor did I carry any food / juices. Not even a hat / cap for sun protection. What was I thinking? But I was already in the area and if I had chosen to go back home and prepare myself better, I don’t think I’d have left the home after having spent already a bit tiring weekend so far. So off I was. If that’s how it has to be!

I had the offline map and google maps as my equipment. Assessing where I was, I decided to join the trail at point 7 on the map and work my way through the trail aiming to do a circular route and finishing closer to where I started. I picked a marker which was a pub and made my way in a direction assessed based on the offline map. 15 mins into the walk I felt strange. Something was not right! I guess you always have such notions- how invariably we give them a pass. This time, My gut said I wasn’t on the right track. That’s when I checked the google maps and corelated it to the offline map (why didn’t I do that in the first place!). And don’t they say we need to pay more attention to our lone sane sense- instinct! My instinct was right, and I was going in the opposite direction to where I was supposed to go. Turned around and continued. Glad unlike life, I had such a chance.

Finally, found the second marker which was a Church and per my map was adjacent to the point 7. I found a gate leading into the fields with a sign saying, ‘Public Footpath’. After 45 mins of walk in the afternoon sun, about 20 degrees and a mild cool breeze, I thought I wasn’t doing bad at all. Sinking in the newness of the place somehow felt nice and inviting. I entered the field and took the unclear and covered-in-grass footpath. I kept walking along side an open field, not sure if that was really the public footpath or if I was trespassing in someone’s private land or whether this was the trail that I was looking for.

I took a leap of faith and continued since it was the only path. I thought to myself about a plan of what I’d do if I was indeed trespassing and was questioned. That’s the beauty of trails- your mind and thoughts have the freedom to just trail off. Well, 15-20 minutes later I found the first marker of the Horsley Jubilee trail. Yay! What a relief it was to find out I was on the right track and wished God had such markers too!

I continued enjoying the walk, the sun, the breeze and the views. The trail seemed to be becoming denser and I was getting excited to unfold the rest of the walk. There was no one except me on that trail in those unknown fields. Thought of the famous lines by Robert Frost- These woods are lovely, dark and deep and I have promises to keep. And miles (of hikes) to go before I sleep.

The ecstasy was just rising when I reached a massive patch of mud. Duh! Now I was wearing sketchers – I knew I’d end up spoiling my shoes but how could I go back; I had come this far; a patch of mud wasn’t going to discourage me. After all, no excursion is complete without muddy shoes! There were many muddy patches that followed later, and none were going to stop me now. Soaked in the muddy feel totally.

That was when it struck me – how much more fun it would have been to have some like-minded friends around. How wonderful it would be if I came across similar people and made friends. I kept giving more thought to this and then, right then, was the inception of Himalayaswithin!

The rest of the walk (which was about 85%) was spent in planning Himalayaswithin. Searching and climbing your inner mountains help you scale heights outside. With or without gear- each one of us is a discoverer (or an unplanned hiker-just like me).

 

Written by: Chahna D. | Edited by: Milauni T.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton