Love after Love

The time will come
When, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the others welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.

Derek Walcott

Friday morning at six o'clock as the day begins.
Silently closing the bedroom door
Sending an email that I hoped would say more
I go down stairs to reception
Stepping outside I am free
Free to enjoy another day on the Camino.

The morning is just after breaking but full daylight has not yet dawned as I set off on day 10 of the Camino. The air is cool and crisp and there is no one else about. It's a wonderful time to be alive, seeing a new day being born, and to feel so much part of this universe! The magnificent sight watching the sun rise over the horizon like a yellow/red ball of fire! As the sun rises higher I can feel its heat on my back!
I reach Granon in about 1 hour (6km). As I reach the village I realise that the rest of the walking party are just getting there morning photograph taken. I can't believe that I am back with them so early in the day. I walk with Kate & Emma for a little while and then I head off on my own to ponder over whatever life's mysteries need to be riddled and answered. I walk alone and nothing much is happening when I suddenly realise that even though I felt I was walking alone my shadow was with me all the time. I realise that it's good to walk with someone who is good to listen, does not interrupt or talk back. Someone who's honest and friendly. Someone who loves you just as you are. And then you realise that that some one is yourself.
There is no need to be afraid of your own shadow.
You only see your shadow when the sunshines and smiles down on us.
The sunshine always brings a smile to life. So 24 km later and after some good conversation with myself I am happy, that this me and my shadow.

I have a 1.5 hour stop over for lunch and wait to meet Anny Sandra off the bus. We then walk the 12km together to Villafranca. The last 4 km were up hill and lots of loose stones, my ankles were in bad shape but it was now very obvious that I had broken out in blisters on the right foot.
Once into the albergue it was the routine of showering, laundry and most important having some badly need food. Today is the longest I've ever walked, I'm a physically wrecked but mentally and spiritually fit!!!

Buen Camino