The plans for this year - I'm sitting in the car as Andy drives us down to the Stirlings for a long weekend of wine, walking, and camping watching the sunset. In June, we're planning three weeks in the Kimberley, and no doubt there will be other weekends on Rotto, down South etc. I know I've called it WA Wanderings, but any interstate trips will be included and there is a trip to Adelaide for WOMAD in a couple of weeks.
So this will be a record of our travels, my thoughts, and the delights of the country in which I am lucky enough to live.
Post Camino ( I finished middle of October last year), how do I feel about the walk, and the time in Spain ?
I just used the word 'wistful', and I think that captures it really well. I loved the walk, loved the scenery and surroundings, meeting all the people, time to think, and the gentle physical challenge of it. However, I knew it wasn't real life, and saw it as a fantastic time out. It gave me time to think and reflect on all sorts of stuff, banal and esoteric ... well if I'm honest more of the banal but food and a good bed gets very important on a walk like that !
Would I do it, or something similar, again ? Absolutely yes, but it doesn't change you or your life, I'm still the same person. The euphoria has worn off, work is real and immediate, bills have to be paid, and all the daily irritations are well and truly back. However, I do feel as if I gained an extra resilience, and the time to just think certainly gave me a clarity and understanding of myself which will hopefully never disappear.
And a couple of photographs from Fremantle, of the Ferris wheel on the Esplanade and a memory of warm, summer evenings strolling down to the Bather's Beach markets for a lovely sunset and food on the beach. The Camino, and Spain, were fantastic, but this is my home.
