Unusually we had breakfast before leaving so no need to hope for a bar along the way. We said goodbye to our host thankful for his kindness. I have the flu so he did not charge me for my half eaten dinner, gave me medication, and gave me a special tea mix for sleeping. Walking from our first farm stay we continued on through tree covered walkways looking out on to a patchwork of farming land sloping down from village dairies, with a handful of sheep and Alsation farm dogs.
The Seattle man joined us again and we talked about a book called ‘The sixth extinction” by Elizabeth somebody, sounded interesting. We walked on again through ‘Hobbit like’ old forests until we came to a statue where people had been placing pictures and notes etc. when I felt a hand rubbing my back which has my Parkinsons’ sign on. In broken English this teary French woman said: (as she kept rubbing my back and crying) “It is difficult, and for you too Madam…” as she looked at Corrie, “..my ‘usband ‘as it”. The three of us hugged and cried as others placed more adornments or just kept going, then we talked a little before exchanging “hasta luegos” knowing we will meet again.
On to rolling hills of farmland on our famous Camino white gravel path when a woman, having heard of this Parkinson fellow, started talking with me and ‘rubbing my back’. After saying some lovely words to me, she informed me that she was a physiotherapist working with Parkinsons’ people. A couple of Australians joined us along with the Seattle man and the French woman, more tears, then photos and goodbyes. We came around a bend to see our first Spanish lake floating below the steep hill town of Portmarin.
A sonnet
“It is difficult” she said
And stroked me as a little child
Her face was soft but her voice held dread
Tears welled up even though she smiled
“Also it is difficult for you
Madam”, the tears flowed freely now
They hugged, a hug so warm and true
They had words to speak but did not know how
She looked at me the smile didn’t go
Her hand was once more on my back
My husband suffers too you know
Things happen on this time warn track
She kissed us on our cheeks then went
Such precious time never better spent
The dawn tree
The moon in the blossom tree
Sunrise
Fields amongst the trees
The village lake
Hello Will and Corrie. I also have a very fond memory of our encounter this day… Before meeting you, it was already moving to walk behind you and seeing your Parkinson’s sign. I really wanted to speak to you both but my basic English didn’t allow me to share as much as I wanted!
Many thanks for relating this precious moment in your beautiful sonnet.
Will and Corrie, keep walking to fight this dreadful disease!
Oh Will this post is so beautiful
Good morning Will and Corrie. What a beautiful sonnet this morning prompted by the lovely lady described in your Day 38 blog. So sorry to hear of the flu, but knowing you, you will not allow it to rob you of one second of this experience. Indeed, you will probably work out how to turn it into a positive. 🙂
Your photos are again so wonderful, and I have shared your beautiful “Sunrise” on my Facebook wall today. Keep humping and inspiring, the “finish line” is now in sight. 🙂
Precious moments