The Solitary Walker

Luckily I've got a map of Les Sentiers de Gran...

2012-05-26T14:36:26.645+01:00

Luckily I've got a map of Les Sentiers de Grande Randonnée bookmarked. Also taken on the exciting but extremely daunting adventure of learning some basic French. All will be revealed.

Meanwhile I will be enjoying your account of your latest randonee! It's off to a very promising and evocatively written start...

That's so cool that you're out there walki...

2012-05-26T14:08:51.218+01:00

That's so cool that you're out there walking away and I have to let you know, you're certainly an inspiration to me as I struggle around my local park.

Sounds great. You make me want to get out putting ...

2012-05-26T12:14:14.468+01:00

Sounds great. You make me want to get out putting one foot in front of the other.

Did have a bit of an adventure while you were away: I went walking in upper Eskdale -I'm ashamed to say- for the first time.

http://dominicrivron.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/eskdale-adventure.html

Oh, George, I'm so sorry you've had to pos...

2012-05-26T11:50:20.340+01:00

Oh, George, I'm so sorry you've had to postpone your Welsh walk. And I was just about to email you saying it might be possible to join you for a few days after all! Never mind. Chaque jour est différent. And que sera, sera. Always.

I look forward to hearing about this walk, Robert,...

2012-05-26T11:24:18.669+01:00

I look forward to hearing about this walk, Robert, especially since I have had to postpone my walk of the Wales coastline. Unfortunately, there are issues here at home that now make it impossible for me to be away in June. Oh well, as you say, que sera, sera.

You might be interested in "The Scottish Cent...

2012-05-23T21:00:28.827+01:00

You might be interested in "The Scottish Centre for GeoPoetics". Or look up "Kenneth White".

Today is Victoria day in Canada, i have been in fr...

2012-05-21T12:40:07.048+01:00

Today is Victoria day in Canada, i have been in front of this keyboard since crack of dawn and was pleasantly surprised by a stroll out of the front door to see the Peony, Rhodenrdron and Irises in bloom, of Mother who planted them. patiently patiently too must i tend to the fragments of my years that have flowed under my rickety bridges,
and hope to show you soon a photo or two of what this summer brings = meegwetch

i am glad my Google for ultreia took me to your bl...

2012-05-21T12:30:47.677+01:00

i am glad my Google for ultreia took me to your blog, which has been bookmarked. The search was a follow up on http://unascamino2011.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/what-is-a-pilgrimage-really-about/#comments reaching C de Santiago.
Must admit that your 4 trips along the Spanish was has me somewhat envious, but who knows when and where, after all, the Journey only be gins at the end. Meegwetch

Hola Robert - I listened to this broadcast and tho...

2012-05-09T20:44:46.836+01:00

Hola Robert - I listened to this broadcast and thought of you. I thought it was very special. I wish you well on camino.

This was the only way I could find to tell you about the broadcast so feel free to delete the comment.

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/poetica/2012-05-05/3967108

Buen Camino

John

I find those concrete patios grim and depressing, ...

2012-05-08T06:27:38.120+01:00

I find those concrete patios grim and depressing, even on a sunny summer's day they seem to bring things down. The stone in the later post looks much more natural and cheery. I love to see people improving the aesthetics of their living spaces; beauty matters.

Nice poem . . . though the current agonies of buil...

2012-05-08T06:22:56.834+01:00

Nice poem . . . though the current agonies of builder's back and builder's knees around my house right now make this seem a romantic view indeed! But there is something satisfying and fortifying about hard physical work with tangible results.

I really enjoyed reading this, another reminder of...

2012-05-08T06:19:21.679+01:00

I really enjoyed reading this, another reminder of how precious simple, unassuming gifts such as a poem or a walk can be.

I'm very happy for you, SW, and extremely envi...

2012-05-06T01:02:54.534+01:00

I'm very happy for you, SW, and extremely envious, as you return to one of your favourite pastimes in one of your most-loved parts of the world. Hope you can post the odd update and look forward to some great stories and pictures on your return.

Buen Camino amigo!

2012-05-05T16:14:55.210+01:00

Buen Camino amigo!

Bon voyage!

2012-05-05T11:37:44.374+01:00

Bon voyage!

Yes, the winding road does call. Good to hear San...

2012-05-05T04:20:48.241+01:00

Yes, the winding road does call. Good to hear Sandy Denny's voice today. Have not been commenting much anywhere, but this calls for a comment. I'd been wondering when you would be out walking again.

enjoy your camino! looking forward to tales and im...

2012-05-05T01:37:06.382+01:00

enjoy your camino! looking forward to tales and impressions

I'll be waiting for tales of ecstatic walking....

2012-05-04T21:08:01.391+01:00

I'll be waiting for tales of ecstatic walking.

Good luck on your camino, Robert. Ultreya! Looki...

2012-05-04T18:55:58.138+01:00

Good luck on your camino, Robert. Ultreya! Looking forward to being inspired by your tales, hopefully wildly exaggerated, when you return.

Thanks, Heidrun, for your comment. I am lucky enou...

2012-05-03T10:39:46.066+01:00

Thanks, Heidrun, for your comment. I am lucky enough to be able to read French and German poetry too! Wonderful.

i started the camino in 2010 - and i never returne...

2012-05-01T20:53:41.698+01:00

i started the camino in 2010 - and i never returned. i didn't reach santiago (yet) and i am back "home" but i'm still on my way. daily life gets in the way and so i miss my camino so much. all i want is everything with an open mind.

Your words have definitely hit a spot somewhere in...

2012-04-30T21:04:44.631+01:00

Your words have definitely hit a spot somewhere in my soul because of that human need to make sense of loss.
I used to be very fond of the romantic poets and was lucky to be able to read the French and German poetry too.
Solitary Walker seems to be well defined in this post.

Thanks everyone for your comments! I do so appreci...

2012-04-27T17:28:48.007+01:00

Thanks everyone for your comments! I do so appreciate them.

Thanks for all these comments — forgive me for not...

2012-04-25T08:07:31.796+01:00

Thanks for all these comments — forgive me for not replying to each one individually. This post really does seem to have struck a chord, and I'm pleased about that, as it was certainly meaningful to me, and close to my heart.

Rachel — no, I don't feel lonely without my mum, dad or sister, if I'm honest. My sister died a long time ago. And the rawness of the grief following my mother's death has softened. As for my father, he was so demanding during his last few years that there was some feeling of relief when he passed on. Am I allowed to say that? I felt a burden had been lifted somewhat, as I was the only person who regularly visited him within the family, and these visits were often very painful and difficult. They took a lot out of me.

Thanks for visiting, Terra, and welcome to my blog!

This is my first visit here, and I find your post ...

2012-04-25T00:47:39.028+01:00

This is my first visit here, and I find your post to be beautiful; did you see the movie The Way, starring Martin Sheen? It is about the pilgrim walk in Spain. My husband and I give it a top rating. Ah, poetry can soothe an aching heart at times, and the Bible is what I often turn to.