It was if I walked from winter through spring and straight into summer today, taking a stroll through God’s garden.
Birdsong and butterflies all around.
Red poppies and white jasmine and purple thistles all bursting into bloom – little explosions of colour as far as the eye can see.
Just after Puente la Reina I left behind the river Arga and its slippery forest trails, and walked in sunlight through wheat fields and farmland, vineyards and olive groves.
And besides all the usual steep hills and painful descents, today also took me via ancient Roman pathways, through tunnels, under aqueducts and over bridges.
It’s strange how perspective works…
If it wasn’t for that hellish descent into Zubiri on Sunday, I probably would have complained about the cobblestones on the Roman path.
Today I was just grateful it wasn’t wet.
If it wasn’t for the snow and sleet earlier this week, I might have complained about the heat of the afternoon sun today.
Today I was grateful to be warm.
And if it wasn’t for yesterday’s big climb up into and across the wind tunnel, I would’ve resented that steep climb out of Puente la Reina this morning.
Today I was grateful for a wind-still day, with enough shade along the hill to take a minute to look back to see how far I’ve come, and give my heart some time to stop jumping in my chest.
I will not be walking tomorrow.
The cold I’ve been nursing since Barcelona has now also blossomed into a full-blown chest infection.I have started a course of antibiotics, and – in the spirit of practicing kindness to myself and learning how to meet my own needs with compassion – I’ve decided to take a rest day.
I hope to resume my walk on Friday
Daily Braveries 