Natalie Auchterlonie

31 Miles in May — COMPLETED for Dementia UK 💜🎉

Sunday 17th May Turns out I’ve been more organised than I thought for once 😂 I went back through my recorded walks and realised I hadn’t uploaded one of them 🙈 which was 2.29 miles along the prom, so I actually had less left to walk than I originally thought. It worked out just over half a mile, which ended up being perfect because I got to do my final walk with my Daughter, Gran and Grandad 🥰🫶🏼 We opted for a lovely walk around Townhill Loch, spent some much-needed quality time together (which we definitely don’t do enough of), and enjoyed spotting all the wildlife - ducks, swans, birds and geese with their babies 🦢🪿 it reminded me of our walks at the loch when we were little feeding the ducks ☺️🦆 Skye got an iced matcha of course 🧋 And honestly, it felt so fitting that I finished my final mile with my grandparents for a challenge raising money for Dementia UK 💜 It made the moment feel even more special 🥰 I’m really proud to have completed this challenge, especially while navigating fibro flares, exhaustion and life in general. Thank you so much to everyone who donated, supported, encouraged and cheered me on throughout the month — it’s meant so much 🫶🏼💜 31 miles completed ✔️ For an amazing cause 💜 Share

Day 13 - Beveridge Park 🌳🌸🪻

Saturday 16th May I haven’t managed a walk the last few days thanks to a fibro flare, so getting out today felt like a little win. I decided to do a lap around Beveridge Park and managed another 1.36 miles 🫶🏼 The sun even decided to make an appearance, which was a bonus because the weather honestly has no idea what it’s doing lately 😂 Slowly but surely getting there - only 2.83 miles left to go now! 😯 Thank you so much to everyone supporting, encouraging and cheering me on, especially on the tougher days 🥰💜 Share

Day 12 - Kirkcaldy Prom 🌊

Monday 11th May Decided to head out before tea for a change and walked along the prom. It was a mix of sunshine, clouds, and a cold wind, but it was lovely to get some fresh air ☺️ I daundered back along the beach on the way home and even found a little bit of 🪎 Another 2.14 miles completed - only 4.19 miles left to go! 💪🏼💜 Share

Day 11 - Townhill Loch 🦆🦢

Sunday 10th May Today took us through to Dunfermline for the artisan market and it was such a lovely day out! There were loads of beautiful stalls to browse and it looked like a brilliant turnout for all the stall holders too. Of course, Skye managed to get her gluten free fix 🍰😂 After a mooch round the shops, we made the most of the sunshine and headed to Townhill Loch for a walk. The path round was nice and flat, making it the perfect wee stroll 🥰 We saw ducks, geese, swans, and even had a tiny robin following us around for part of the walk 🦆🦢 To finish off the day, we visited Gran & Grandad and got absolutely spoiled with homemade soup for lunch and a banana split for pudding 😋 I used to love a banana split when I was wee - so it was proper nostalgic 🥰 Another mile completed for Dementia UK 👟 I only have 6.33 miles left to go! 💪🏼 Thank you so much to everyone supporting me through this challenge - every message, donation and share means so much! 💜 Share

Day 9 - Kirkcaldy Prom 👟💜

Friday 8th May Another 1.01 miles done tonight - and every step is counting 🫶🏼 Had a lovely family outing this evening, then headed out for a wee daunder with my bestie to squeeze another mile in. No photos tonight, we were too busy yapping 😂 Doing it sore, doing it tired, but still showing up anyway. That’s what this challenge is all about 💪🏼✨ Only 8.83 miles left to go now and I’m so grateful for all the support and encouragement along the way 🥰 Share

Day 8 - Beveridge Park 🌳🦆

Thursday 7th May Had a busy day today, so tonight’s miles turned into an evening walk - and Skye picked Beveridge Park 🥰 After an overcast day, it actually turned into a lovely evening. The wind was definitely a bit chilly though… my ears are still feeling it now 🙈🥶 Absolutely loved seeing all the flowers in bloom tonight - so pretty everywhere you looked 🌸🌼 Another 1.57 miles completed, which means there’s now only 9.84 miles left to go!! 😯 Honestly can’t believe how close I’m getting to hitting my target 🎯💪🏼 There’s still time to donate to this amazing and worthy cause, and every bit of support means so much 🫶🏼💜 Share

Day 7 - Maspie Den 🌳🌲🪵

Wednesday 6th May Didn’t expect the sun to make an appearance today, but when it did we made the most of it! ☀️ Today’s walk took us to Maspie Den – a beautiful woodland walk with a tiny waterfall you can walk behind It was so lovely spending the time with my daughter and sister… we had such a laugh the whole way round ❤️ And if anyone’s watched Apex on Netflix… let’s just say there was a lot of “Chemical Brothers” playing and some questionable cawing going on 😂 really making the most of those woodland acoustics (you know the scene! 🤪🤣) Feeling grateful, sore and tired, but so motivated to keep going for such an important cause 💜 Another 2.43 miles done today… which means I’ve now only got 11.41 miles left to go! 🙌🏼 Share

Day 7 - Kirkcaldy Prom 👟🌊

Tuesday 5th May Today’s weather really wasn’t on our side… it was so windy and absolutely Baltic 🥶 The sea was so choppy too - definitely no dipping happening today! 🌊🙈 Skye and I still got out there and walked the prom, and I’m very glad we layered up! 🥶 Another 2.04 miles done ✅ Only 13.84 miles to go… getting closer! 💪🏼✨ Share

Day 6 - Kirkcaldy Prom 👟💜

Monday 4th May Spent the day out with my daughter and hubby, enjoying a little shopping trip 🛍️ - but I wasn’t about to let that stop the progress! Managed to squeeze in an evening walk - off to the prom again, it’s enough of a walk without pushing myself too far ☺️ and added another 2.07 miles to the total 🎯 That means just 15.88 miles left to go… getting closer every day! 💪🏼✨ Took my little dementia mascot with me… how cute is he?! 🥹💜 Share

Day 6 - Kirkcaldy Prom 🐋

Sunday 3rd May Ended up heading out for an evening walk today after the weather looked rubbish all day… but then the sun made a little appearance, so I took the chance! ☀️ Had some lovely company too - my son and his girlfriend joined me. We walked along the prom and came across this gorgeous whale mural 🐋 Honestly, no idea how I missed it yesterday 😅 I must’ve been on autopilot trying to get back to the car! Another 2.02 miles done ✅ Only 17.95 miles to go… getting there bit by bit 💪🏼 Share

Day 5 - Kirkcaldy Prom 👟💜

Saturday 2nd May I really struggled to get myself moving today, but I was determined to make up for not getting out yesterday. Sometimes that’s the hardest part - just starting I opted for a walk along the prom, with a slight detour to spot a few of the Wemyssware cats (so worth it 🐱) I also noticed the new CoastSnap stations - will be really interesting to see how they help track the erosion of our coastline over time 🌊 And came across some new plaques on the sea wall sharing local history, which are a nice addition ☺️ Legs are dead, jammies are on, and I am not moving for the rest of the day 😄 Another 2.38 miles walked - only 19.97 miles to go 👟 Every mile counts 💪🏼💜 Share

Day 4 - Lochore Meadows 👟💜

Saturday 2nd May Back to Lochore Meadows today - had to make the most of the sunshine while it’s still around! ☀️ A shorter walk this time after definitely overdoing it yesterday with two walks… feeling it today! 🙈 Another 1.85 miles in the bag and still going strong. Every step counts 💪🏼👟 Another 1.85 miles in the bag 💪🏼 only 22.35 miles to go 👟 Share

Day 3 – Walk 2 - Lochore Meadows 👟💜

Saturday 2nd May I’m convinced my family are solar powered… the sun comes out and suddenly everyone wants to be outside 😅 So after our Letham Glen walk at lunchtime, back out we went again after tea! 🚗 This time it was off to the meedies - and honestly, I didn’t think I’d make it all the way round, but I surprised myself 💪🏼 Definitely been paying for it today though! 😬 It’s a bit easier to keep going when you’re treated to such lovely views over the loch and all the wildlife along the way 🦢☀️ Another 3.2 miles in the bag 💪🏼 only 24.2 miles to go 👟 Every step counts 👟💜 Share

Day 3 - Letham Glen 🌸🪻

Wednesday 29th Apr Day 3 of my 31 Miles in May challenge for Dementia UK 👟💜 Today’s walk took us back to Letham Glen - Skye’s choice! Her and the hubby came with me today ☺️ the weather has been absolutely glorious, and it definitely helps with the motivation ☀️ I’m loving all the cherry blossom trees just now… they’re stunning 🌸 And the bluebells too - just beautiful. Thought I’d try this selfie trend and somehow managed to get both in one shot… bonus! 😄🫶🏼 Another 1.2 miles in the bag 👟 only 27.4 miles to go 🙈 Feeling determined to keep going - step by step 💪🏼👟 Share

Day 2 - Letham Glen 🌸

Monday 27th Apr Day 2 of my 31 Miles in May Challenge for Dementia UK 👟💜 Got out for a lovely stroll through Letham Glen today with my sister and Skye 🥰 Another 1.3 miles in the bag ✔️ The cherry blossom trees were absolutely beautiful 🌸 I won’t lie, my knees are definitely feeling it 🙈 (fibromyalgia life), but the fresh air did me the world of good and we kept ourselves going with a caramel frappe 🧋 Slow progress is still progress, and every step is for such an important cause 💪🏼💜 Share

Day 1 - The Hermitage 🫶🏼

Monday 27th Apr I’ve decided to get a little head start on my 31 Miles in May challenge for Dementia UK 👟💜 Living with a chronic illness means I have to make the most of the days when I’m feeling okay, so starting early just felt right 🫶🏼 Today’s walk took us to The Hermitage in Dunkeld, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Sunshine, fresh air, and a beautiful place to begin this journey ☀️👟 We stopped to feed some highland cows and sheep on the way 🐄🐑 and came across a random orange peel in the shape of a heart 🫶🏼 think it was definitely a sign 🥰🪽 First mile done ✔️ Here’s to taking it one step at a time 💫 Share

Practice walk 👟 warming up for the challenge ☀️

Saturday 25th Apr Yesterday’s weather was glorious so I decided to do a practice walk to ease myself into things 👟☀️ It does help when you’ve got good weather and a lovely view 🥰 1.2 miles - it was enough so as not to overdo things 👟 Share

31 Miles in May 💜 For Auntie Margaret

Friday 24th Apr

This May, I’m taking on 31 miles for Dementia UK - one mile for every day of the month 👟 

I’m doing this in memory of my wee Auntie Margaret, who lived with dementia 🫶🏼 

Auntie Margaret was full of warmth, humour, and kindness. Even as dementia took hold, there were still glimpses of her - in a smile, a familiar phrase, or a moment of recognition. Those moments meant everything. But alongside them came the harder days, the confusion, and the heartbreak of seeing someone you love struggle.

That’s why I’m doing this.

Throughout May, I’ll be walking my way through 31 miles - one mile for each day of the month - to raise money for Dementia UK. Their specialist dementia nurses provide vital support to families who are facing the same challenges ours once did. They offer guidance, reassurance, and a lifeline during incredibly difficult times.

I’ll be honest - this is going to be a challenge. I live with a chronic illness and my mobility isn’t always reliable. Some days will be slow, some might be tough, and I’ll have to take it one step at a time (literally). But I’m determined to see it through.

This isn’t about doing it perfectly - it’s about showing up, however I can.

Every mile matters. Every step is for Auntie Margaret 💜 

If you can donate or share, I’d be so grateful. Your support helps Dementia UK be there for families when they need it most.

Thank you for backing me - it really does mean everything 🥰

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