Preparations for the Camino

 

May is, among other things, National Walking Month, Arthritis Awareness Month, Mental Health Awareness Month and Women’s Healthcare Month. The perfect month for me to take to take my arthritic joints on a long walk to put my head straight. I’m hoping to come home, healthy in mind and body.

I have been busy since I returned from Tenerife. The manuscript for my next book, Hidden, arrived in my inbox from the editor, the evening that I got home. Since then, when I haven’t been going through the manuscript word by word, I have been walking up and down the hills and along the seafront, step-by-step, in training for the Camino. I have now almost completed going through the manuscript and, having bought a new rucksack, I am at the stage of working out what I am going to take on the walk, how much I can realistically carry and what I can manage without.


When I walked part of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela two years ago, my sole aim was to prove to myself that I could do it. I hadn’t expected to enjoy the challenge, the company, the walk so much. And I certainly didn’t expect to feel so emotional when I arrived at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. 



It had nothing to do with the fact that I didn’t have to walk anymore because the next day we did a 20km hike up Pico Sacro, getting lost in the process and thoroughly enjoying more walking. I knew, as soon I finished the Camino that year, that I wanted to do it again. Last year I was a little preoccupied moving to France and so now is the first opportunity.


This time I am pretty certain that I’m up to the task and I’m looking forward to enjoying the scenery (and the wine) in Portugal and Spain and using the opportunity away from it all to learn more about myself and of course, meet lots more lovely people.


https://www.justgiving.com/page/jacqueline-james-1707236714053 


I am raising money to help maintain this lovely little church in Menton.




There has been more rain than usual in Menton this year and my garden is flourishing. I seem to have lots of wild gladioli—I wasn't aware that there was such a thing. 






Also I have, what I think is, a medlar tree that is laden with fruits. The kumquat chutney, that I made, is going down well. I now need to find out what to do with medlar fruits.



I can't imagine a week without reading but I haven't yet decided what book to take with me on the Camino (the weight of the volume will play a part in my decision).  I'll let you know what I take, in my next blog but, in the meantime, if you want a real feelgood book, here's the one:



If you have enjoyed reading this and would like to be sent a link when the next episode is published, please contact me on info@jacquelinejames.co.uk and I will add you to the list.

Here is the link to my website:-



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