Lessons in life learnt from the Camino …continued….

I’m pleased to say this is the last you will hear from me regarding our Camino! I talked about having a smile for everyone and how much it can mean to someone …

Now look what popped up on my FB feed earlier ….one of my absolute favourite musicians and a really good and decent human being …

How true is this though..,.tomorrow isn’t guaranteed for any of us , so live your best day today ! Well, I did my best today, Dear Reader, I took the DB to Marks and Spencer’s ( other retailers are available 😉) to purchase a white shirt . Simple you might say, however to get to the men’s department, we had to pass through the ladies underwear department and as I needed some underwear …I took the opportunity to make a purchase ….never again. The Ladies Underwear Department is mind boggling for me ….I mean, they were selling knickers I had never heard of 🥴🥴 to find what you want is like following an orienteering course ! What are you looking for … full briefs, half briefs, Brazilian , low rise thongs ( forget them 🥴🥴, high rise thongs , high rise shorts, low rise shorts, high leg , low leg ….🙈🙈🙈 Can you imagine the poor DB ? No I thought not …just let me say, if I need to return at any time , I will be going solo 😉😉

Anyway I digress …. today has been a good day … but maybe not the best day . I am my own worst enemy ..I know .., and could certainly benefit from “ walking at a pace I’m not used to …slow down” well today I’ve been walking a pace Im very used to … in fact would almost say “ running “!! Personal note to self… must try harder!!!

Now you know the saying “ some folk’s glasses are half full, others are half empty”

Well…….

Kathleen and I are both “ glasses half full people – and always willing to have them filled , particularly on the Camino with rather delicious white wine!!!

However, whilst on the Camino, we met people whose glasses were half empty and really you want to shake them ..,.for example when were walking ( quite extensively I have to say ) through pine forests one lady said “ I just wish it was a bit more open” … crazy really, because the next stage of the Camino is over the Meseta, where you’re lucky to find one tree. The same lady moaned about the food they had eaten … “it wasn’t good” she said ! Well apart from our disaster in Belorado with the chicken burger that had certainly never clucked or seen corn in its life , we ate really well . You have to appreciate the different regions of Spain have developed their own gastronomies. Whereas during the war in the UK there was rationing, during the Spanish Civil war there was nothing …and depending whereabouts in Spain they were at the time, they ate whatever they could grow or harvest from the sea . Paella that most recognised of Spanish dishes is derived from poverty …. rice was always a staple commodity so add what you can to it to make it healthy …hence snails and eel! No, I don’t choose to it either , but along with pig snout and trotters, I understand why they are still eaten. When you are starving, you waste nothing.

No, we didn’t eat any of this things and when the DB and I are in Spain we make our own version ov Valencian paella

My point here is, why can’t you just enjoy what you have at the time? Certainly a lesson Kathleen and I learnt ….appreciate everything surrounding you at the time you see it !

We also became very aware of our expectations of others … the DB is always saying to me ( and Alistair used to say yo Kathleen ) “Don’t judge others by your own expectations”…fortunately, we both have very similar views and therefore expectations of others . Not everyone has the same views and standards as we do …so we realise we have to work at being more tolerant!

With that Dear Reader , I am going to sign over and out … we ( the DB and I ) are going away back to Spain ( another part!!) shortly…however on our return we hope to welcome a new family member ( 😳😳 eek no Dear Reader, rather than the patter of tiny feet we’re looking for the patter of big paws)

They are not delicate dogs ( to say the least !) but they are in our view “ Simply the Best” … and certainly make our world a better place …

One more thing I want every one to remember please is this…

“ Growing old is a priveldge denied to many , for all sorts of reasons, so don’t complain about it, make the most of it ..please 🙏”

And with that, I say thank you for following this blog . and good night 😴