RAMBLER PROFILES

I enjoy rambling anywhere! A town walk is lovely, especially when there are interesting buildings to admire. I’m also drawn to rivers and lakes—the water feels soothing and deeply relaxing.

A couple of years ago, I had just retired, and in the dead of winter, I was looking for something meaningful to do with my time. Just like that, a post from Sole Sister Ramblers popped up on my Facebook feed. Sole Sisters has enriched my life with new friendships and countless good times with fabulous, like-minded women.

Walking the Camino de Santiago by myself in 2016 had the most profound impact on who I am today. Over five weeks and 560 miles, I learned to live simply, prioritize kindness, stay strong and resilient, remain optimistic, and appreciate the small things that bring joy

I love the feelings I get after a Ramble: my body’s reaction to pushing my physical limits, and the fulfilment of my need for connection and friendship.

A perfect day begins with sunshine peeking through the window, a hot cup of coffee, and a quiet moment of reflection on the people and things I am most grateful for.

I love cozy mornings with a good book and a great cup of coffee, but most of all, I love being active. Weight training, walking, and hiking are my staples, but I also enjoy trying new things—most recently pole dancing, aerial hoop, and sling acrobatics. This is definitely my “why not” phase of life.

I’m an avid reader, averaging 120 books a year across all genres. My retirement gift was a Little Free Library, which brings me so much joy to share with my community.

I love being in the company of trees. Here in BC, we are truly blessed with forests, and I strive to be out amongst them every day.

I would tell my younger self to live boldly and not care what other people think. Life is too short to play small or worry about fitting into someone else’s expectations.

I grew up in Dublin, and what I treasure most about those years was the tight-knit community that shaped who I am today.

My favorite place to ramble is in the woods—hiking, surrounded by trees, with nothing but the sound of leaves beneath my feet and birds overhead. When I’m out there, I feel completely alive. The woods are where I go to clear my head, find peace, and reconnect with what matters most. Nature reminds me that we’re part of something much bigger—and that beauty can be found in the quiet, in the stillness, and in each step.

I love Wales so much that it’s my dream to retire there one day with my partner and two dogs. The beaches are so underrated—you can find yourself on the most beautiful stretch of sand with not another person in sight. My dream is to open my front door and see rolling hills stretching for miles in peaceful tranquility. I enjoy noise when I seek it, but I truly love being able to retreat into solitude.

I live beside the sea in Dublin and most mornings the first thing I do is walk along
the seafront. Since walking the Camino last year, sunrise is my favourite time to
walk.

I’m 62 years old, but honestly, I feel like I’m 16. I still wake up excited about the day ahead. I get to do the things I love with the people I love, and that keeps me feeling vibrant and alive.

Like many of us, reaching midlife made me evaluate my future and think about what I want my next chapter to look like. We cannot predict what will happen, but I want to try to make my next couple of decades as active and healthy as I can without regrets.

 Jill Thomas is a Rambler, traveler, and storyteller with a big laugh who believes life takes her where she needs to go, no matter the roundabout path. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now? I was...

Meet Darlene Huff, a vibrant 63-year-old who has moved from Calgary to Vancouver Island, which she now calls home. With a passion for empowering women, Darlene helps them embrace life's challenges—from boardrooms to backcountry trails—with confidence, courage, and a touch of sass.

 

I love summer! I know it’s hot, but the days are long, which means I get to be outside for longer. I also love the sounds of summer, with kids playing sports or on the playground, people gathering for picnics, birds calling overhead, and music playing outside.

I’m 64, but I feel like I’m somewhere between my mid-40s and mid-50s. I’m healthier and stronger now than I was in my 40s. I feel braver, too—I’m much more likely to say yes to things now than I was when I was younger.

"Pick your battles." I received this advice from one of my managers while working at the University of Victoria. Life is full of challenges, but not every issue needs to be confronted. It’s important to choose your battles wisely and focus your energy on the things that truly matter.

Summer is my favourite season. I love the beach, whether walking my dog, surfing, paddle boarding or just playing in the sand and shallows with my grandbabies. I’ve always lived by the coast—whether in NZ, Sydney, or Perth—and I can't imagine being far from it.