Showing Up | My Return To Walking The Gritstone Trail

In this video I return to the Gritstone Trail after my pervious attempt in January when I had to leave the trail unfinished when my mental health took a sudden and unexpected dip that left me vulnerable in my own hands.
This time I explore the full length of the route including all its highs and lows. I had a all four seasons during my walk, where I delve into archaeological and historical sites, see beautiful wildlife, and come away not only having completed the trail, but having matured in my understanding of how backpacking can help us all to develop self-compassion and a driver what it means to thrive.
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00:00 - Intro
02:00 - Day One, Disley to Wild Boar Inn
36:36 - Day Two, Wild Boar Inn to Kidsgrove
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Stay WILD!

[@jamesjustin6001]

My brother suffers with mental health and I have learned alot about the struggle from watching your video's. Seeing it in someone who isnt a relative has made me see it from a different perspective. Thank you for your honesty, and the beautiful landscapes.

[@EwanGoesHiking]

Despite not knowing you personally I feel so damn proud of you. Anyone who saw your original video from the Gritstone trail will have witnessed what you went through (and bravely shared with us all) and when you posted on social media about returning I was both nervous and excited. You're an inspiration Abbie. Keep doing what you're doing. 😊

[@TawnaTV]

Three things that made my day watching this...the amazing landscape, your beautiful smile and the heartfelt words at the end. Thank you :)

[@karenhatton7058]

Seeing those little lambs born is such a reward for going back on the trail

[@bjorksbanjoplayer]

Great to see you back on the trail Abbie. Well done. It's through your inspiring videos that I was able to undertake the West Highland Way in July. Brilliant videos and an absolute joy to watch. Stay Wild :)

[@zaranorth9336]

Really enjoyed this ‘return to the trail’! I could sense your triumph and was thrilled for you! Thanks for taking me along! 😎

[@carolynplumley5413]

You are an amazing young lady. I enjoy getting my steps in whilst walking with you in front of my computer. I love seeing and hearing about the trails. Thank you for taking this old lady along.

[@woodnugget7513]

Great vid Abbie. I suffer myself so I understand the strength it takes to accomplish even the smallest things sometimes. But nature sure is a healer and good for the soul. Keep up with your lovely work and all the best. Ian

[@lostdawg67]

I've become rather addicted to your videos. Chiefly because of your struggle with mental health issues and your passion for hiking, both of which I share. With that in mind it is surreal to see you doing the Gritstone pass and arriving at Kidsgrove station...as I live on a small narrow boat next to it. I have done for some years. You must have walked right past me. Small world, even for long distance hikers. As long as you keep making these films I'll keep watching them Abbie.

[@carolmooney822]

Oh Abbie, you are perfect the way you are.

[@camilladamlund9513]

Late to the game here, Abbie, but having just watched the previous attempt at the Gritstone Trail, followed by this one, I was struck by your description of how the trail felt 'so right'. A sharp contrast to how you wee feeling the first time you were there, and it's such a marvel to see. Your openness and authenticity in both the struggles and the victories is truly magnetic, and I can't thank you enough for sharing it with us. Sometimes things feel wrong, for whatever reason, and bailing out is the best thing we can do. And then you get the gift of going back and having that wrongness turned on its head completely. I loved seeing you enjoy the trail to the fullest. Thank you for sharing both.

[@michaelpilling9659]

Bravo!!! Very well done Abbie. A 180 degree turnround from the previous visit to the Trail. And what a beauty the Trail was. Magnificent views, great teacakes, deer, packhorse bridges and views over my beloved Cheshire, where I was born (Altrincham). A fabulous film, so many smiles, superb commentary. Thank you so much for taking me along. Last but not least - I am so proud of you.

[@jamierobinson3349]

I just found your channel yesterday and have been hooked and been binge watching your videos since yesterday afternoon! I absolutely love the way you take everyone on a magical journey on these trails. I live in the Pacific Northwest here in the United States and have been an avid backpacker for many years here but now I must come to the U.K. and do these hikes after watching your videos! You need to seriously have your own TV show! Walk on and Rock on! 🌄⛺🌲🌳🌱🌾🌿☘🍀❤

[@TheStan80]

''A man will walk his dog , but a man won't walk himself''

[@desrynne2720]

Abbie, My late father used to say . From every experience take something. And when talking about a sport he would say . When someone or something beats you come back twice as hard . Its worked for me . Keep smiling and keep the videos coming Des

[@andrewmarkhamiltons]

Thanks for this Abbie. I've saved watching it until today. I completed this trail yesterday (over 2 days, self-supported, wild camping, a first for me). It was hard work for me I remember this being a previously tough one for you and its been great to see you so happy and knowledgeable. Thanks again, on to the next one?

[@stenewton5175]

Respect....you got bottle. You're love of nature & all things outdoors will enrichen your life same as it can everyones. Well done 😊👍

[@bubbs9882]

Abbie you truly are an inspiration to us all!! 😁 It just shows what we can achieve if we keep “showing up”! I’d really love to give the Gritstone Trail one day, once again keep up the amazing work in inspiring us to get outdoors!! 😁🙌🏻

[@traceysalkeld2456]

Just so toe tinglingly happy for you Abbie, you have such genuine depths of humanity- and ability to communicate it. I hope you are able to keep these moments of joy in your pocket like a pretty pebble and pull it out and hold on tight when you need to.

[@jtoutdoorsadventures6864]

AWESOME JOB!!!! Great work getting back out there and smashing that trail. The colors are awesome the fields of wild flowers are beautiful. As always great work on the camera. Thank you for sharing.

[@cornishnige]

Great video so glad you returned to complete the walk just goes to show you should never give up so happy for you xx

[@saradavies2348]

Wow! Been watching a number of your videos after finding your channel recently. I've been concentrating on the trails I have already walked myself, but the Gritstone Trail is a new one for me. I am now totally inspired to walk it myself - it looks fantastic! And very well done for 'showing up' and finishing the job. Awesome 😎👍👍

[@AnonYmous-zm7cj]

always love your self and remember that you will never walk alone in this life..you are the maker of your own life do what makes you happy and you will always succeed. great to see u refocused refreshed and back to the old gritstone trail big thumbs up to you abbie

[@christalmwalstead3432]

I want to tell you how much you speak to my soul and inspire me! I literally have a lump in my throat.. you have really made me feel alive when life has kept me restricted. I am missing England & Scotland and have been able to travel through your videos and it has made the restriction of travel less harsh! Sending you so much love and gratitude! ps I feel we are great friends after watching and I appreciate your vulnerability and true essence! TY

[@christalmwalstead3432]

ps not in a creepy way you just make us all feel we are along for the journey thank you for what you do! xx

[@MG-cp8xk]

This is Better than a TV program ... more walks to explore...Thanks.

[@linedwell]

That was a fantastic video Abbie. I've watched an awful lot of your content and this could be one of my favourites so far. 👍👍 Well done for the returning and the completing. 👊

[@tomgallagher4949]

Well done, Abbie, for overcoming both the physical and mental obstacles. Although your original journey broke down you transformed the walk in the second video and surpassed yourself. Interesting, informative and inspiring. And searingly honest. A fellow trail hound.

[@philipjackson7066]

Great video. Gritstone Trail is on my patch, very roughly linking where I live now to where I grew up. I was upset watching your first attempt to do the trail, but so glad you went back to do it again. You raise a very important point - It's okay to fail or to be over-whelmed in life. We should all embrace bad times and recognise there is always the opportunity to come back, try again and succeed. I'd recommend the Staffordshire Way too!

[@billd1366]

I just wanted to thank you for all your inspired work. I've recently experienced great lose in my family and your videos have been a great comfort to me . Your kindness and positive way of looking at life's trials even the hard times has encouraged me to carry on with hope for a better day ahead one step at a time. God bless you and thank you.

[@flatandsplat]

Hooray!!! Congratulations, you did it. I loved seeing the sheer joy on your face. What a contrast. You should be very proud of yourself. It was a strong move to stop the last walk, a strong move to try again and a strong move to finish.

[@vader2757]

Well done Abbie that was a pleasure to watch I am going to do the Gritstone Trail, Disley is only a few miles away from me once we have freedom again...STAY WILD!

[@gaiaocracy]

You stepped off the trail to travel further down the path of honouring your physical, mental and spiritual needs. You resumed the trail with enhanced personal integrity. Life served you the favour of seeing the newborn lambs and you were able to witness the miracle of new life with your heart and mind; you blessed the mama sheep. Deeply thankful, am i, for being able to witness your journey.

[@sarahwhitlow5541]

Love the way you embrace all of the natural world. I walk to work through an ancient graveyard, full of nature, such a mindful and spiritual start to my day, not forgetting those who have departed this world. RIP.

[@gingerbreadmanjourneys5380]

Keep doing what you are doing Abbie :). It has been said so many times before but you truly are an inspiration and I personally have taken on board the messages you are getting across in your videos. I recently started one of Scotland Great Trails and because of you I have learned that it’s ok not to manage to complete a certain milestone or to give up before I had planned to. Before I would’ve beat myself up but you are right, sometimes the best thing we can do is just “show up”. :).

[@susanbrown2909]

I feel when I get out in countryside,even for a short time...I’ve suffered MH since a child. It does calm the mind..when you drink in the views . Love to hear the birds ,Thats helps too.

[@ianrutter9243]

You are far stronger than you imagine,so eloquent, well spoken brave and beautiful.You bring so much joy to others,bless you and thankyou Abbie xx

[@rachaelosullivan3477]

I find your videos so inspiring! I love your honesty and attitude. Radiant!

[@timmurphy2221]

Abbie, you chose a perfect title for your return to the Gritstone Trail. Having seen how difficult of a journey you had in the winter, I was here, thousands of miles away rooting for you, and gathering joy that you were not only succeeding in your return hike, but thoroughly enjoying yourself on the way. I had no idea just how beautiful many parts of England are, so much natural space. And the trails are truly a blessing brought about by forward thinking people of the past. I appreciate your honesty, sharing the internal dialogue with the vistas of the landscape. Whenever I go hiking, and this very day, I'm going hiking, I have a running internal dialogue also. It never occurred to me to share that, unless I'm hiking with other people. Yet, it is both a refreshing honest description of the yin and yang of your adventure that made it very holistic and real. Thank you.

[@PatriciaDraven71]

The stream you were describing as beautiful on the surface, with death below, reminded me of the DeadMarshes in Lord of the Rings. I’m playing catch-up with your videos, only found your channel about a week ago. We both have a similar catch phrase “stay wild”. Much respect to you for constantly battling through.

[@kimmccarthy7773]

Thank you Abbie.

[@Globemaster03]

Truly inspirational, very entertaining viewing, thank you. My bestie suffers with mental health issues, I need to be there for him more I think.

[@doumairenjean2281]

merci pour tous les beaux paysages anglais et toutes les precisions .merci pour votre sourire toujours present .continuez ,je regarderai souvent votre site

[@fluffyvideos4333]

Your Videos Are The Only Ones I Can Honestly Say That I Can Watch From Start to Finish All In One Go. Your Outlook On life Is Inspiring And Helps Me With my Own Anxiety So Much Thank-you Abbie. Liam

[@r.khannaberry246]

Another awesome journey! Thank You for sharing your adventure with this video!

[@TrevorLockwoodsuffolk]

Wonderful. So glad you did it again.

[@willbejamming1532]

" The beauty of these trails is they're not going anywhere." Yes, they do remain put in beautiful places and it is we who make the journeys of self discovery, one step at a time. Thank you for taking me along a bit of yours.

[@lindamckenna81]

You have presented a beautiful film, enjoying your channel!

[@mrmayan4827]

Was just in England visited Lyme reges, got lots of fossils looking forward to putting in my living room table. Thanks for the videos... Watching from Canada Ontario

[@REB65]

👍👍. God bless ✌️

[@northernenglander1916]

Great video, loved it, I gained a lot of encouragement from this. I'll be walking this trail in spring 2021. Thank you for posting it !!

[@lorrets9775]

Mow cop is very similar to Old John, which is our nearest folly in Bradgate park

[@Indigenous-English-Man]

I don’t know if you have ever heard of the limestone way that goes through Staffordshire and Derbyshire. Beautiful views and historic places along the way. The Derbyshire dales will blow your mind.

[@deborahhammond8576]

Looks like May, and so beautiful

[@stephencurwood9469]

Great to see you complete the walk.

[@Karen-dq8nw]

I love the birdsong throughout your film! I like that you talk about fear, and not letting it take control. Yet it's different than well thought out caution, which at times has to take control so that you don't put yourself in real danger. Very interesting.

[@l91106]

hiking in nature is my antidepressant, love your personality and your enthusiasm is infectious

[@eltothesea649]

You are an inspiration. Bravo!

[@delmiller4184]

I loved following you on this trail Abbie and what amazing weather you had along the way. The bluebell woods were my favourite part and, like you, memories of my time walking through similar woods of bluebells will remain permanently fixed in my memory. Woods like this are just so beautiful and certainly very different to what we have here in Australia. When I experienced them emotion was so high that I just felt like crying for joy and tears welled up in my eyes at the beauty. I will never forget them. Thanks for the great video.

[@cherylconrad1157]

Thank you for the bits of history and landscape information that you provide. Well done you.

[@AndrewFulton]

Wonderful to see you back in Cheshire and enjoying your return...

[@davidwilliams3856]

Abbie, you did more than show up. Great to see you back to your lovely smiling self. thanks for a great vlog.

[@venicelight1320]

Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring journeys!

[@anthonymitchell8041]

So glad that you returned to this trail, and shared the journey with us. A beautiful and inspiring video.

[@dondawber9107]

Hi Abbie, the first video I saw of yours was the first Gritstone one. That was obviously a real challenge to you, but imagine my delight when watching a few more of your videos recently I noticed you had returned to conquer your demons and memories of this trip. So full of admiration for you and love watching your videos :-) ps I live at the top of the field you are passing through while you are describing the history of Teggs Nose and starting to get whiffs of the teacakes :-)

[@chrisjordan4190]

thanks great stuff, thanks for your help, looking forward to your next adventure

[@HermSchreurs]

Great video again Abby, love your honesty and how you show that with perseverance you reward yourself and it builds you. I love it! Just show up. Greetz from Holland

[@kathrynbrock1558]

Such a transformation. Well done Abbie. What an achievement. A lovely , well presented video with really good information. I have visited Lyme Park the year after it appeared on Pride and Predjudice as Pemberly.. Like you I love walking trails and tracks although I’ve only completed The Lambourn Valley Way and Monsal Trail and I absolutely love all trees. Thank you for sharing this memory.

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@BrianthatiscalledBrian]

Your videos are so therapeutic, Abbie. I didn't even know I needed it! Thank you so much. 🙂👍

[@bonnietigner4207]

Way to go!!!!!Bonnie from Arizona

[@kathlucy603]

Thanks again Abbie for sharing your journey! Both mental and physical, so proud. x

[@deanmc178]

what a fabulous walk,, well done for getting to the end abbie x

[@vanlifenomad]

Keep moving, your a wee gem Abbie

[@almontepaolilli4909]

Great video with splendid views. Loved the sheep, cattle and deer along the way. Keep smiling and keep going.

[@NickW1111]

Great videos Abbie - I’ve just discovered and watched this and your first one. Thank you for sharing beautiful places, and for your honesty about your struggles. If it was Saturday morning when you walked through Lyme Park, that was the park run. 5K of fell running - tough but fun!

[@Mordred478]

You were more forthcoming about your mental health in this video than previously, and I really appreciated it, being in the same boat as you are. I am grateful that you even included a couple of shots that must have been taken on previous expeditions when you had a break down, a really difficult moment. It does just hit, like a wave, and other people wouldn't understand, and you couldn't explain it if you tried. The phrase "just show up" has particular resonance with me, as, like you, that is the very thing I've been struggling to do these many years. Likewise, I am always working on not beating myself up if on a given occasion I don't show up, because I couldn't that time, or something else went wrong. The path of those who wrestle with invisible illnesses is woven in between the paving stones that the unafflicted walk, in the sunlit world, where the shadows and alleys some of us spend are lives in generally go unnoticed.

[@lorrainesimpson9482]

Great video Abbie, good to see you back on the trail. What a contrast weather wise from the January trip. Loved the views and those wee lambs just born, so sweet! It's good to see you feeling more positive. Keep up the good work, love your videos!

[@jacquelinemcgowan8164]

Sometimes i think we think what is wrong with me, alot of suffering in guilt, the world is very over powering and domineering and for some its simply too much and we need escape, being out in the countryside may have its challenges but dealing with people is a different challenge, dealing with ourselves is another challenge, might take time to find yourself but you are getting there, and sharing is helping both you and us, its about connecting with what is good for us and eliminating the rest love Jacqueline

[@Jeff-Vader-1]

Yes Abbie ! Keep up the good work , your smile is infectious !

[@zomzoms1979]

Thank you so much for sharing another great inspirational video with us. I'm so glad you were able to have another go at this trail. Well done, & keep on fighting.

[@joeb6410]

Great videos, really like how down to earth they are

[@MyMountaingoat]

Hi Abbie. I suffer from poor mental health and I have a very good idea how you may often feel. I wanted to say a Big well done for one of the best VLOGS ive seen made. I am a qualified mountain leader and also get great enjoyment from the outdoors. Your filming is great, your commentary is funny, enthusastic, knowledgeable and informative. You are gorgeous with a beautiful smile which adds to the viewability to the vid. I wish you all the best, keep up the good work.

[@StitchyBee]

Well done Abbie, you're a true inspiration, keep on walkin! xx

[@djn1k]

Just back from watching your first attempt, to say you put a lump in my throat is an understatement. Time to continue in the sunshine

[@stevesmith3990]

Well done Abbie, thanks for the video!

[@deborahlanemcguire4315]

I have such respect for you and your tenatious spirit. Keep on!

[@jonathanwarner1844]

I'm so glad to see a video of the full trail, because your first video was the first I had heard of this trail, and since I come from the area, these are all landmarks I recognise, or places I have visited individually. I consequently want to have a go at walking this trail, and your videos have inspired me to do so. Thanks!

[@BASHADweller]

Well done Abbie. Great to see you've conquered it. Great video to watch also, very inspiring. Thanks for sharing. Atb Shaun

[@deborahlanemcguire4315]

So inspiring and full of wisdom.

[@urbanmess1]

Well done Abbie great video as always, glad you got to complete it and also glad to find I’m not the only one who talks to animals when i’m Out on my walks!

[@mrliving3778]

Thank you so so very much for taking me along with you for this wonderful experience. I smiled right along with you the whole way, so proud of your courage and thoughtfulness. Thanks also for the special attention to the flowers along the trail (my particular curiosity).

[@davidwormell6609]

18:25 Wowslips!

[@graehamquilliam7019]

I watched the first part of this trek last night. I found it painful to watch you struggling like you did. I'm so glad you went back and did it. You are truly amazing. Loving your films. Keep up the good work and stay wild.

[@robmimi6796]

Its great to see you have now completed this walk , and overcome some of your mental health problems. I am struggling massively with the same but you have inspired me now to do the same walk. I want to walk the first half and run the 2nd. Thank you Abbie for being there when I need you

[@meredith9229]

So well done girl, delighted you went back. Brave thing to do. I’m a solo female motorcyclist that does a lot of motorcycle photo rallying (solo), so I do understand what happens when things don’t go to plan and panic sets in. Keep doing what you’re doing, very inspirational x - Magi

[@chrisbryant5681]

Good on you. inspiring video, thank you.

[@mrmylo1239]

I’m proud to be from these neck of the woods I live on the biddulph vally way and it’s magical

[@andrewbullock5101]

excellent again abbie keep going girl

[@whitespider8523]

Marvellous, well done! I saw your first attempt and was struggling along with you, so glad you made it this time. Lets all keep on trekking.

[@DaveFord]

Great video. Really enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@pamelahurworth1677]

Lovely Hike, well done !