Departure day

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Yesterday as I awoke a little rabbit was munching away in the dew dripping grass.  I missed the photo moment.  Today I sit in my chair, my father’s chair, as I do each morning with my coffee, watching the water which is glass textured today with barely a movement except where the sun beams down in sparkles and a solo paddle boarder comes into my view.  

This is my home, my refuge.  And at this moment I feel overwhelming joy and gratefulness.  It’s the moments we gather up.  I put my thumb between my pointer and third finger to seal it in.  A wise man taught me this.  I could just sit here and relish it.  But I have an adventure to catch.  

Our first stop today is breakfast with George and Karla and the airport to drop George 

off for his Swedish adventure. 

We're on the plane. British Airways always pleases. 

For now, a long happy sigh mixed with giddy anticipation. 

The pilgrimage. What will it bring?  The second time. Is this like the second child?  No expectations, just spaciousness.  And trust . 

Pre-trip jitters!

We leave tomorrow (May 20th) for Madrid.  Even though we are returning to the Camino de Santiago with last year's experience and confidence, it's still a daunting feeling.  Our packs are packed and weighed.  Our lists are checked off.  All arrangements are made.  Despite some physical crises this spring revolving around a lingering cold for Craig and a busted up knee for me, we walked 12 miles with packs yesterday and feel quite good today.   Our team of wellness professionals keeps us healthy!  We appreciate them.

Our plan (and the emphasis here is on PLAN) is to arrive in Madrid on Wednesday evening, meet up with Anna and Eben (our niece and her partner) for a couple days of exploring Madrid and then catch a train on Friday to Pamplona.  We hope to begin walking the part of the Camino we have not set foot on yet starting on Saturday, May 24th.

Here are a couple photos from yesterday's walk that set the tone for this year's pilgrimage.  All pretense at glamour and dignity is taking a backseat to spontaneity and fun!!  Craig is sticking out his tongue per Hazel's request and I am having a sip of water out of my Camelbak water reservoir from the side of my mouth because I was having a worry moment that if I sipped straight over a length of time, my teeth might start protruding.  Well, I need something to worry about!

We welcome everyone's encouragement.  It's wonderful to hear from you all as we walk along.  We encourage your provocative questions.  "Eat, Walk. Sleep. " That could be the name of this blog.  Or....."Won't walk without coffee."

Actually the quote that I will offer at this time is one that Sue Rothwell sent me during one of our early morning poetry/writing email exchanges:

A Chinese poet many centuries ago noticed that to recreate something in words is like living alive twice.
At the taproot, to seek change probably always is related to the desire to enlarge the psychic plane one lives in.

The less you have, the less you have to worry about.