It’s been hard to process losing Alan. I had never really thought about this before but I think there’s a special bond when you share a backpacking trip. A lot of my backpacking has been solo, but I’ve also been fortunate to share some trips too. Looking back through my blog, I shared trips with Alan more than anyone else, either just us or in the company of others.
Walking together gives quality time to share life in a way that has largely disappeared in modern life. Backpacking is life stripped down to the essentials, excluding most of the distractions of the modernity. It’s a kind of pilgrimage and forges close bonds of friendship. Hence, losing Alan feels like a part of my life ripped away. There are wonderful memories but now they are frozen in time, never to be added to.
I’m sure many of Alan’s walking companions will feel the same as me. There are special people in life who enrich your life through their company and Alan was one of those. Alan was a deeply honest person which sometimes got him into trouble. I loved that part of his character. You felt you were always seeing the real Alan with no front or flannel.
He was always interesting and fun company. He had a great sense of humour and knowledgeable which led to interesting conversations. We went to test matches at Lord’s together a couple of times as well, where it was great to watch the cricket and have a long natter.
Andy Walker has composed a lovely tribute song to Alan on YouTube
I can’t really compete with that!
As much to remind myself as for the benefit of others, I’ve listed the trips I did, wholly or partially, with Alan below.
The first time I met Alan was when we went to the Carneddau in 2009: https://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/carneddau-capers-part-1/
The Peddars Way with Alan and Darren in 2011 https://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2011/10/29/peddars-way/
Monadhliath with Alan and Andy in 2014 https://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2014/04/08/monadhliath-meander-part-1/
Chilterns Daunder 2015 https://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2015/04/18/daunder-2015-part-one/
TGOC Cheese and Wine 2015 https://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2015/05/31/tgo-challenge-2015-day-8/
Dartmoor 2016 https://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2016/03/30/dartmoor-tramping-part-1/
Lake District Daunder 2017 https://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2017/04/26/tgoc-daunder-2017/
Lake District Daunder 2018 https://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2018/04/27/lakes-daunder-2018-part-1/
Not The TGO Challenge 2018 https://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2018/05/29/not-the-tgo-challenge-summary-page/
We also met on his 2019 TGO Challenge when I’d planned to walk with him a bit but I had hurt my knee the previous day and had to abort my walk. Then we had Covid and then Alan’s health issues.
Happy memories. R.I.P. old friend.
blogpackinglight 
My heart is aching. Lovely memories to have, but he will be so missed x
A fitting tribute to a true gent.