Hello, I’m Joy Martin. I’m excited about doing this trip because I love the concept of journeying, of meeting people, of being in the outdoors and experiencing different cultures. I’m looking forward to unexpected acts of kindness from those who are currently strangers, and of seeing smiles on children’s faces.

Joff and I have enjoyed kayaking for the last 2.5 years and it would be exciting to break our journeys with some kayak adventures in Nova Scotia, Vancouver and especially the Baja Peninsula in Mexico.

Our cottage

Six years ago I didn’t get better after having really bad flu, and then I suffered with chronic fatigue. At that time it felt as if I was walking through treacle and the clouds above were always grey. But gradually, my energy has returned and the sun has come out. It therefore seems amazing to me to be contemplating such a journey, reinforcing my belief in the benefits of the outdoors for health and wellbeing.

I trained initially as a science teacher then taught in Ivory Coast before working as a schools worker developing leadership skills in young people, as ell as working as a canoe instructor in Canterbury.

I then moved to York and worked as a youth and children’s coordinator, the highlights being residential work with young people in the outdoors, including a trip to Zimbabwe and Croatia.

In 2001 I moved to Cambridge, to lecture on a degree course in youth and community work as well as to create a garden of “interlocking rooms” entered through arches of roses and clematis.

Daffodil spiral at home