![Wild silence](https://cdn.magzter.com/1422876029/1720617123/articles/xASclTZCt1721283203090/WILD-SILENCE.jpg)
Sitting in damp clothes, huddled under tarpaulin as rain drips on to a forest floor carpeted in pine needles, I am in tears in front of four women who, three days ago, were strangers.
Perhaps it's sleep deprivation, but this flood of feeling catches me by surprise. These are not tears of grief, this is something else.
Let me take you back to the beginning. It's Saturday at noon, and I'm at Totnes Station Platform Two, clutching two plastic bags carrying clothes, sleeping bag and a one-liter water bottle. Outside the station I locate Henriette, the elfin Danish woman who leads Wandering Wild, a three-day silent hike into the wilds of Dartmoor. Henriette has told me exactly what to pack and how to transport it and greets me warmly before handing me a backpack, which contains my tent, sleeping mat, food and cooking pot.
I duly attempt to squish my belongings into the remaining space while chatting to the other walkers a mother and daughter from Kent, and a keen nature-lover from Surrey. We will be a small group of five women this weekend - the groups are usually mixed sex, although Henriette says it often skews towards women.
After a 40-minute taxi ride, we shoulder our heavy packs and set off. The route is shrouded in secrecy but I recognise the start as the site of the Right to Roam protest in January 2023. The last time I was here, a huge puppet of Old Crockern shook his ribboned mane to the sound of beating drums.
After a short wander, Henriette finds a spot to settle us.
She outlines the 'rules': walking in silence, 10 metres apart, across the landscape. At certain points talking can resume - at lunch, or when setting up camp - but for the majority of the journey, we will be in silence, a powerful and meditative way to commune with nature. Henriette explains that she may speak briefly at points - to clarify how to use the waterfiltering equipment, or how to cross a river safely - but will keep it brief.
Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av BBC Countryfile Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av BBC Countryfile Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Why the USA must do its bit in the war against bird flu](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8845/1792746/gB6Bf1uYx1723108677734/crp_virus-circulating-cattle-virus-flu-Jakob-disease-US-US-Department-of-AgricultureUS-federal-government-Zoonosis-disease-animal-species-USA-zoonosis-Bird-flu-H5N1-dairy-cattle.jpg)
Why the USA must do its bit in the war against bird flu
During the 35 years I've been reporting on Countryfile, D British farmers have been hit from all sides by diseases that have decimated their herds and flocks, brought them heartbreak and uncertainty and cost us taxpayers billions of pounds to control - most notably mad cow disease (BSE), bovine TB, foot and mouth, and now bird flu.
![How nature helped me recover from cancer](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8845/1792746/WZ7HJlS6I1723108902380/HOW-NATURE-HELPED-ME-RECOVER-FROM-CANCER.jpg)
How nature helped me recover from cancer
After surgery, presenter Julia Bradbury found healing in nature and the science that proves it works
![Nicola Chester](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8845/1792746/TtT7ic4BF1723108822461/NICOLA-CHESTER.jpg)
Nicola Chester
How to turn your kids into nature-lovers and save our planet
![Adam Henson](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8845/1792746/nd4CwCNa11723108759181/ADAM-HENSON.jpg)
Adam Henson
Wild weather has lain waste to this year's crops and it's here to stay
![HOW TO CLIMB A MOUNTAIN](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8845/1792746/FRhtD0g-71723108291357/HOW-TO-CLIMB-A-MOUNTAIN.jpg)
HOW TO CLIMB A MOUNTAIN
Rugged, dragon-backed and often cloud-piercing, Tryfan is one of the most iconic peaks in Wales, but it's also one of the most dangerous. Dixe Wills takes on the climb in the company of an expert to learn what you need - mentally and physically - to do it safely
![TOP 10 FORTIFIED HOUSES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8845/1792746/tIY0mWsCB1723103848648/TOP-10-FORTIFIED-HOUSES.jpg)
TOP 10 FORTIFIED HOUSES
Some of our most romantic old houses were built in dangerous times, when high walls offered vital protection. Dixe Wills picks his favourites
![The pantry in your garden](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8845/1792746/uJOY0Ua3X1723102742574/THE-PANTRY-IN-YOUR-GARDEN.jpg)
The pantry in your garden
Discover a world of culinary excitement in your own garden with these delicious recipes using summer flowers, seeds and berries, from wild food expert Liz Knight
![The power of awe](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8845/1792746/2PTIzjrdW1723102145167/THE-POWER-OF-AWE.jpg)
The power of awe
Ancient wonders inspire feelings of awe that can help transform your mental health, argues photographer David Abram and scientists, it seems, agree
![Return of the aurochs](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8845/1792746/24rqyuVOu1723101013909/RETURN-OF-THE-AUROCHS.jpg)
Return of the aurochs
Extinct since 1627, an ancient species of huge wild cattle could soon be back from the dead to graze on Scottish hillsides.
![DISCOVER The art of Cornwall](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8845/1792746/2qCUTqaW61723100645737/DISCOVER-THE-ART-OF-CORNWALL.jpg)
DISCOVER The art of Cornwall
With its gorgeous coast and mild weather, Cornwall has attracted artists and crafters for generations. Jo Caird seeks out the places that inspired some of Britain's finest painters, potters and sculptors, and admires their handiwork