HHH CHAPTER 11: Too much luggage?

Today started out cold, with a breezy easterly wind that had me moving quickly at first. After crossing the river, I climbed a long hill, the fields were shining in the sun, and the view gradually expanded. Looking north I could see the hills where the River Severn rises, although I have now abandoned that path. I stood for a long time watching a shepherd and his dog move a flock of sheep efficiently across three fields in search of fresh grass.

Today I was using local trails through farmland and woodland, these are PROWS… Also known as public rights of way. The route links Llanidloes with the town of Llangurig.

Trees have lessons for me.

I walked through a small forest. The words of Robert Frost came to mind… “The words are lovely, dark and deep.”

These forests were beautiful, but neither dark nor deep. The sun shone through its branches, with the slightest hint of buds bursting at the ends of the twigs.

My backpack feels lighter as I walk, although it has the same things inside. Then I started thinking about the luggage. One of the charms of walking like this, alone, staying in small places, is discovering how few things I really need and I have used everything in my backpack except the emergency kit and shorts. I live in hope of shorts, spring is just beginning. Of course, the simplicity of traveling light relies on having enough money: to pay for accommodation and food, and to afford light, technical clothing that washes and dries quickly. I rely on other people’s beds, kitchen utensils, towels and sheets. I was still wondering how I ended up with all the things I have at home, if I get by with so little here. Things pile up very easily and it takes time to redistribute or organize them.

The trees had the answer.

At this time of year, the deciduous trees are leafless and as bare as we are when we are newborns. As spring gives way to summer, the trees will receive an increasing amount of «stuff.» The buds will turn into leaves and flowers, so the wooden floor will be shady and dark instead of bright and bright.

Then, in the fall, there will be fruits and seeds that will fall with the fall of the autumn leaves. Winter will see the trees bare again, waiting for the next cycle. Surely I am now in the autumn of my life and, like the autumn trees, I am at “peak baggage”, at least at home. I plan to get rid of a lot of things soon, and when winter comes, I hope I don’t leave too much debris behind for the next cycle of life.

The pleasures of walking slowly

I came to a pond that was shining in the sun and where a few geese were frolicking. A log served as a seat at the edge of a gorse thicket, sheltered from the wind. I immersed myself in the fragrance of its yellow flowers, warmed by the sun, like a mixture of coconut and vanilla. I stayed. I watched the trees floating in the wind. I looked closely at some larch cones and drew them. It was very peaceful.

My path took me even higher and then down, through a corral until I reached a small path. The farm dogs went crazy, barking and howling, although they didn’t come very close. Two more were in some sort of large cage and they jumped up and barked excitedly.

I arrived at the town of Llangurig and visited its old church. The current one, much repaired and restored, began in the 14th century, with a Celtic monastery existing there since the 6th century.

The stone tracery in this window comes from a Cistercian monastery closed by Henry VIII.

There was no sacred well in the village, but I did find the 19th century water supply. Stone taps and sink, installed by a local landowner, with beautiful inscriptions. Even if it is an “ungodly” well, easily accessible clean water is always a blessing.

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