We set off early yesterday into a sunny but windy (30mph gusts) walk, crossing a field with ewes and their lambs back to the path. It was a relatively easy 9 miles along the cliff tops. The path is changing from very, very hard and stony to softer, more soil and grass here and there. I’ve found choosing where I place my feet similar to my life back at home: needing to stay present and focused on what is right in front of me so I don’t trip, but still aware of a few yards ahead because if I don’t plan accordingly I’m going to run into a difficult patch and adjusting my course is doable, tricky. I’m learning quickly when to go high, when to step low, most importantly to select a way through that doesn’t require too much lifting of my right leg. Thank goodness for my left one that is doing some heavy work up some big steps on the hillsides! As far as the longer view, I just have to trust that each step and turn of the path will get me there and be rewarding along the way.
Some paths have been wide & smooth.
Some paths have been rocky (this is NOT the rockiest, but I can’t stop and take photos on those because I have to concentrate so hard).
Some have been sandy; soft on the feet, hard going on the calves.
What there have not been are heart stones (which it turns out were probably slate tailings leftover from the tin mines), but instead yesterday there were an abundance of rainbows on top of the big waves crashing into the coast. It was so windy the spray was blowing straight up into the sunshine. Heart path becomes rainbow path!
We arrived at the youth hostel, our home for two nights, and Kimberly quickly wanted to get into the big natural rock pool above the strong surf. She pretty much had the frigid water of the pool to herself, except for a few wetsuit cladded holiday makers who braved the chill. She loves cold water from swimming in the SF Bay regularly. I inched my feet gingerly into a shallow puddle in the hard black rock. Sweet bliss on trail worn feet! Back in the hostel as the sun set, I loved seeing the shelves loaded with teapots at the ready. Cozy. Make a cup of tea and anywhere feels like home
Today has been a good rest day: late sleep, laundry, gentle strolls along the beach, lots of surprising April sun, accommodation and route planning for the weeks ahead. My leg is grateful for the respite. What it doesn’t know is that we have some tough, tough days coming up. For now, I am enjoying all the happy people milling about the hostel and the beach; I feel like I’ve entered a portal of joy with lilting voices of children, laughter, so many people enjoying water, sun & sand. There really are not many more delightful things than watching English people enjoying a day of brilliant weather on a school holiday! And there’s no cell service for miles, so that helps. People are focused on each other. Oh, and we saw the most magnificent Dalmatian with sungoggles!
Seen on a bench overlooking the cliffs: “Lark song and sea spray in the air. Splendour, slendour everywhere!”
