Piper in La Calzadilla de le Cueza
My laundry in Fromista....Hola todos!
I am now in a sizeable city with a civilized internet cafe in a bar where I can smoke and sip a cool vino blanco. I might even try to upload some pix.
I went to bed last night under the stars thinking the camino is a lot like a cradle....people are gentle and caring and there is a real sense of acceptance and comradarie on the walk.... yet respect for one´s own space. I spend hours each day walking alone and often hook up with others when it´s time for a rest or at the end of the day. I have had magnificent talks with my father while walking.... the best we have ever had. The day before yesterday was blistering hot along the meseta. I took a quieter route with a small river on one side and hay fields and tired sunflower fields for as far as the eye can see over the table land. All of a sudden, I felt John´s presence. It was as if he was skipping and hovering over hay bales. We talked about acceptance and it was so loud but I felt him assure me that he was in fact proud of me. Now that he is not in a body, he feels so much more accessible and even nicer than I can ever remember. The feeling was so strong and so loud I said enough! This feels real but I need a sign that is unmistakable. I was about to send him away. He insisted on staying just a while longer, enough to ensure that I took a turn where I needed to. It was as if I felt a nudge because I was insistent on going a certain direction. Before I sent him off, I gave my father a task. I keep losing my reading glasses and I find them later in drinking fountains etc. I told John he was responsible for me keeping track of my glasses. Fine. The next day as I am walking out of a village, I am off in the ditch collecting garbage to tidy up the walk a bit. I didn´t realize I lost my glasses until about two hours later. Then I noticed. Ugh! Once I noticed, I said ok John, see if you can pull this one off. More hours passed. I stopped at a place to rest and just happened to mention to Patrick from Ireland and Veronica from Switzerland how I lost my glasses. 20 minutes before Richard from England had mentioned to them how he found a pair of glasses which was great because his were broken. I got my glasses back and told Richard my story. He gave me a nice hug and I gave him a spare pair that I had which were more suited to him. Yesterday was John´s memorial. It was another hot blistery day. At the end of the day, Richard, Patrick, Veronica and I shared tapas and a guy on the walk travelling with bagpipes played for us. He played a special song for my dad. As he played, off in the distance was a man on a tractor cutting hay. The scene was too perfect. John had a tractor which he loved.... Once again, I wept tears, these ones sweet and I payed homage to my father´s death 8 or so hours ahead of time in Ontario. Rest in Peace John Greaves. I haven´t heard from my brothers about the memorial yet but I look forward to hearing what music was played and who said what.
Today was a gentle 23 km walk. Richard, the guy who found my glasses has probably moved on. When I opted for the quieter some what longer route, I thought then, I am unlikely to see you again but thanks.... Today I have been walking for 7 days and I feel so strong. No aches or pains or blisters. I start walking around 7¨:30 and usually knock off around 3 pm. I am liking sleeping in the albergues. They feel like my family. I have three more weeks to walk. I love the rhythm of the day.
I am now in a sizeable city with a civilized internet cafe in a bar where I can smoke and sip a cool vino blanco. I might even try to upload some pix.
I went to bed last night under the stars thinking the camino is a lot like a cradle....people are gentle and caring and there is a real sense of acceptance and comradarie on the walk.... yet respect for one´s own space. I spend hours each day walking alone and often hook up with others when it´s time for a rest or at the end of the day. I have had magnificent talks with my father while walking.... the best we have ever had. The day before yesterday was blistering hot along the meseta. I took a quieter route with a small river on one side and hay fields and tired sunflower fields for as far as the eye can see over the table land. All of a sudden, I felt John´s presence. It was as if he was skipping and hovering over hay bales. We talked about acceptance and it was so loud but I felt him assure me that he was in fact proud of me. Now that he is not in a body, he feels so much more accessible and even nicer than I can ever remember. The feeling was so strong and so loud I said enough! This feels real but I need a sign that is unmistakable. I was about to send him away. He insisted on staying just a while longer, enough to ensure that I took a turn where I needed to. It was as if I felt a nudge because I was insistent on going a certain direction. Before I sent him off, I gave my father a task. I keep losing my reading glasses and I find them later in drinking fountains etc. I told John he was responsible for me keeping track of my glasses. Fine. The next day as I am walking out of a village, I am off in the ditch collecting garbage to tidy up the walk a bit. I didn´t realize I lost my glasses until about two hours later. Then I noticed. Ugh! Once I noticed, I said ok John, see if you can pull this one off. More hours passed. I stopped at a place to rest and just happened to mention to Patrick from Ireland and Veronica from Switzerland how I lost my glasses. 20 minutes before Richard from England had mentioned to them how he found a pair of glasses which was great because his were broken. I got my glasses back and told Richard my story. He gave me a nice hug and I gave him a spare pair that I had which were more suited to him. Yesterday was John´s memorial. It was another hot blistery day. At the end of the day, Richard, Patrick, Veronica and I shared tapas and a guy on the walk travelling with bagpipes played for us. He played a special song for my dad. As he played, off in the distance was a man on a tractor cutting hay. The scene was too perfect. John had a tractor which he loved.... Once again, I wept tears, these ones sweet and I payed homage to my father´s death 8 or so hours ahead of time in Ontario. Rest in Peace John Greaves. I haven´t heard from my brothers about the memorial yet but I look forward to hearing what music was played and who said what.
Today was a gentle 23 km walk. Richard, the guy who found my glasses has probably moved on. When I opted for the quieter some what longer route, I thought then, I am unlikely to see you again but thanks.... Today I have been walking for 7 days and I feel so strong. No aches or pains or blisters. I start walking around 7¨:30 and usually knock off around 3 pm. I am liking sleeping in the albergues. They feel like my family. I have three more weeks to walk. I love the rhythm of the day.
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