HHH Chapter 27 Big changes, less energy, decisions to make.

As I reflect on the last week, there have been many changes in the landscape and in my thoughts. As spring goes, the flowers change. The spring ones give seeds and new summer flowers appear. The terrain has also undergone great changes. The quiet, almost intimate, forested valley of the Teifi River abruptly changed to spectacular cliffs, sea and expansive views. It felt like another country all together. In fact, I also changed countries, leaving Wales behind and the boat took me to the open fields of the southeastern tip of Ireland.

Intel

The total distance traveled was 400 kilometers, some by bus or car, plus almost 100 kilometers by boat.

Holy Wells 4

Harps 0 I don’t have any more harp contacts to visit, so the next section will be about the wells.

Perspectives

After a month of walking most days I’m getting a little stronger. The climb can be constant and if I keep my pace I don’t get out of breath. The descent is (slightly!) less disconcerting as my balance has improved, but I’m worried about falling on steep, rocky descents. My overall pace is still pretty slow. My friend J tactfully waited for me as we walked together. I suspect a combination of age and ongoing medications means I’m no longer as “trainable” as I used to be. It will take longer to achieve improvements in fitness. The last stretch to Fishguard was about 22km in total, my longest walk, and now the long days require a longer recovery. It’s okay, I’m not in any kind of race. Going a little slower has meant more time to draw, a means to observe the scene more fully. Maintaining joy is the key.

I enjoyed looking closely at this part of the ruined fortress on Our Lady’s Island.

Inspirations.

I have valued my solitude much more than I expected in recent weeks. Somehow my mind has expanded, my thoughts are not limited by the need to keep commitments or take others into account. Still, the difficult path to Fishguard was made much easier with the company and encouragement of my old walking friend J. She arrived at just the right time… does the trail deliver?

Hawthorne trees are some of the first to show their leaves; flowering follows much later. The smell is very evocative of the end of spring, something like freshly cut hay with an extra touch of citrus. The flowers are full of details.

I have to make decisions about how to continue my journey, exactly where to go and how to get there. Next week should focus on these aspects. Pausing each week to review what happened is a good way to help me think. This trip has been so full of interest that I don’t want everything to fade into blue;

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