Day 34- AroueI managed to leave Navarrenx and catch up with Enda despite Christine appearing from nowhere out of a bar door offering all sorts of summer wine as an enticement to stay with her (see picture). Then it was a day in which the weather started deteriorating, firstly to very strong winds and then rain. Fortunately we reached our destination before the skies opened due to an early start. Our arrival was delayed a little by Enda taking time out to rescue a young foal; so she has earnt for herself another pilgrim upgrade. Because of the threatening weather we tended to push ourselves a little harder today which probably explains why we are so tired tonight.
Last night we had an open fire at our Gite. To my great surprise we saw what looked like a didgeridoo hanging alongside the fire place and which was burnt at one end. It seems this didgeridoo like implement is used to fan the fire. The host told me its French name (quickly forgotten) and said it is very effective for fire lighting. I suggested it could be played but the mouth piece was too charred! “Its not used for music” he replied before running out to bring in a didgeridoo which he proceeded to play. He informed us that many a person in France plays the didgeridoo. This didn’t surprise me as he was the third person on the Camino we met that had at least one instrument. Please remember all those on our prayer page. In many churches across France we have lit candles and prayed for them, as well as all of you who are making this pilgrimage in spirit with us. We are now entering a Basque district in the foothills of the Pyrenees and one observes a difference in the internal architecture of churches as more ornate designs are employed and the more austere walls disappear. As the weather started to deteriorate today, as the winds grew to fierce intensity it would be easy to succumb to feelings of gloom. I think this is a natural human tendency, but it is not of any practical use, it doesn’t get rid of the miserable conditions and will only make them appear worse than they are. So when matters became uncomfortable I found it useful today to apply some of the principles of mindfulness. In doing this I remained aware of the wind and the darkness that was spreading over the countryside but avoided making judgmental decisions. I simply listened to the howl of the wind, felt the strength of it blowing in my face and noted the complete absence of the wind when we entered forested areas. In the dull light, I saw the flowers (probably many weeds) growing along the banks of the road in a new light. The brown tops of some long grass like plants suddenly took on a beautiful russet hue. The blues, the whites and the yellows of so many flowers suddenly took on a brightness of their own, a brightness one can never see on sunny days. Their brightness neutralised dullness in the skies. Even observing the rain pattern patterns in the distance and the variation in cloud textures put one very much in touch with the environment. Of course it doesn’t fix the weather difficulties but it sure puts them in manageable perspective! Tomorrow is forecast to be fine, but on Tuesday I will need to apply plenty of mindfulness as heavy rain is due!
1 Comment
Salwa
2/5/2017 07:17:28 pm
Finally the French Girlfriend (Christine) comes your way Jerard. Again the Camino provides :)
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