Hi everyone. I'm a first timer on this forum so here goes..

I started the PW in 1995 at Edale and after two visits to the way got as far as Hawes. Good intentions on getting the way finished were scuppered when marriage and kids came along. Now the rugrats are much older and need less attention I can now get back to finishing it.

I read somewhere that it was reported that it once took a walker 12 or 13 years to complete it. Anyone else taken an epic time to finish?

You have got lots of time to complete it as previous posts show that it took them 34 years and another 46 years 3 months (probably his age!).

I started it in February 1963 completing it last May, 46 years and 3 months after leaving Edale. I wish it were my age!!!!

Sorry ... 1964 (mistyped)

Wow, Slowcoach, good one for completing it. Wonder if I ever will.

1964 was my first visit across the pond. I bought a bicycle in Southhampton and toured England and Europe. One of my favorite overnighters was at the Winchester youth hostel converted from an old mill. The millstone was still in place and we swam in the placid creek underneath the hostel. Good memories!

Dont know if this counts but one of my first proper in walks was in 1958, Edale to Snake Pass along the Pennine Way route before it even became official. No flags in those days just lots of bogg trotting and heather hopping following the posts from Mill Hill.
In between then and Sept 2008 I did lots of parts of it many times over, then finally did my 9/10 days on the whole route. That makes a total of 50 years.
However if you are meaning setting off from Edale with an intention of doing the whole route, and for some reason not making it and finally coming back some years later to complete it, then I dont count as I only tried to complete the route the once.
Dave.

Can I claim a record in "thinking about/planning it"? I decided that I would walk the Pennine Way after it "opened" in 1965 but because of work/family I didn't get round to do it until after I retired in 2005!

I feel so much better now!

Whilst on the way someone at one of the YHA's told me that doing the way in bits doesn't count and should be done in one go. But then he had the luxury of being retired and being able to afford the time and money to do that. Yeah whatever!

It may end up taking weekends over a few more years but i'll get there in the end which will please AW.

The last section to Kirk Yethold looks epic. The Royal Marines' final commando test is a 30 miler. Do they hand out honorary green berets at the Border Hotel ?

No only a free half pint if you ask for it! AWs money ran out but the brewers (publican?) now pay, well they did when I finished. Don't forget to ask for the book to sign and add your comments about your experiences.

If you accept the fact that a walk has to be completed in a single journey, I wonder how many will then be able to claim a successful traverse of the South West Coast path?