Across this weekend, retired warrant officer and Royal Navy veteran David Yates embarks on his 62nd walk around the Isle of Wight.

Originally from Waltham St Lawrence in Berkshire, David, 67, completed his first three-day circuit in 1983, reflecting on his time in the Falklands War.

Since then, his walks have evolved from solo journeys to widely recognised community events, attracting hundreds of walkers every year.

The 'Goatober Walk', which began today (Friday, October 25) and concludes on Sunday, marks a new milestone for David.

It is part of a lifelong commitment to the Island he has called home since 2006 - where he runs Kingston Smallholding Goat Farm with his partner Simone.

Over the years, he has introduced countless walkers to the scenic coastlines, sharing both the Island's natural beauty and the pressing need for coastal preservation.

With sea levels having risen about 40mm over his four decades of walking, David has witnessed the growing impact of erosion, particularly at locations such as Bembridge, Luccombe, and Compton Bay.

Through his regular walks, David has become an advocate for documenting and addressing the environmental changes affecting the Island’s shores.

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In recent years, he has used his platform to monitor and report on these effects, bringing attention to the vulnerable coastal paths and raising awareness among the hundreds of walkers who join him.

David first detailed his journey in Bomb Alley, a memoir of his service during the Falklands War, published by Pen and Sword Books in 2007 after years of persistence and 35 rejections.

His work has resonated widely, becoming the top-selling personal account of the conflict.

Later, he authored Beaches, Bars and Blisters of the Isle of Wight, published by Halsgrove in 2009, which captured his second three-day walk around the Island in 2001.

The book’s popularity led to the formation of a Beaches, Bars and Blisters walking group, which joined him on his first group walk in 2010 and has continued to participate in both spring and autumn walking festivals.

Under David's leadership, the group has taken on increasingly ambitious challenges, including a 72-mile circuit completed in 36 hours in 2011 and tackling the route in under 24 hours in 2012.

Later that year, David ran and walked the route in just 16 hours and 23 minutes.

As chair of the IW Ramblers and a member of the Long-Distance Walkers Association, David continues to champion the Island’s walking community.

This December, he will lead a special three-day Christmas walk from December 24 to 26.

Although the shorter daylight hours will add difficulty, he expects the holiday walk to be a memorable addition to his yearly schedule.

David encourages walkers of all abilities to join his journeys, even if only for a few miles, seeing his walks as a unique way to connect with the community and appreciate the Island’s unique natural heritage.