That happened to me...make sure of three things
Press f3, and look at all your item weight - trim it down to 20KG or so - things like logs or an excessive amount of kindling and meat you dont need.
At the bottom right, you will see some things ...Climbing, Faithful, Lawful, Stealth, Autofight.
Climbing and stealth should be black, if it's white, click it. Faithful , lawful, and autofight should be white, if they're black, click em.
If you're trying to walk up steep slopes or through muddy forested land, you will go slowly. Try and stick to cobblestone roads.
Crap directions and very helpful map:
http://www.wurmonline.com/wiki/index.php/Gold_2_Village_Roadmap
EXCELLENT MAP of roads and paths to villages. The place where you spawn has a compass, facing the guide is facing west, and the sun rises in the north and sets in the south. On the map, Copperblazes should be to the farish left on a mountain, Newtown (spawnpoint) should be towards the middle. Follow the west highway till yo get to the big statue of a guy, then go right till you see an island in a lake (purty!) This island is "garden of the gods" Take the cobblestone road left, the map should show you the rest. Talk to people in local chat for directions whenever you see them.
To make the game run better, instead of hitting play on that one screen, hit options - turn off pretty weather and kill shadows and water reflections and things like that.
While at Newtown spawn point, ask for help with getting a lantern (useful!), some meals (essential), and some water (not so much because of all the water on the way, but bring some anyway). Cheymyst is a sucker for newbs, and Chjees goal in life so for is to help newbies in exchange for slave labor. They'll help you out if you ask.
Also helpful (guides and things) http://www.wurmonline.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Remember, almost everyone in this game is helpful. It scares me sometimes.
[ January 13, 2008: Message edited by: Wooty ]