# 266: And She Walks
Walking, a good therapy for tough times.
If you been reading this newsletter for a while—some since we began in June of 2021—you know that I love to walk. I always have. I remember when my mom, who was more than a bit overprotective, let me walk alone to the McEwen’s house. Even though it was just at the end of our block, it was a first taste of solo walking although I wouldn’t be surprised if Mrs McEwen called Mom to let her know that I had arrived safely. Today I carry a cell phone with me as a safety measure when walking or riding Arrow…plus it doubles as camera and takes some pretty nifty pics as you are just about to see.
Walking, cooking & baking therapy are helping to keep me calm and I hope you are finding ways to navigate the unsettled energy that is around us right now. So to help with that, I offer you the next installment of my walk in Brittany.
Brittany
The coastal weather here is very similar to that of the North Olympic Peninsula— cool, moist air, gray skies with a bit of blue peeking through and water everywhere. I feel quite at home.
I’m quite taken with the houses—steep roofed, white with blue accents.
I see the remnants of a rose window in the ruins of Chapelle de Languidoc in Plovan that date from around 1425. The chapel was built around 1260 but destroyed in the Revolution to become a guardpost in 1794. «sigh»
A lunch break a few miles later brings us to Éligse Saint Gorgon de Plovan also dating from the late 13th century but still with an active congregation. Its bell tower dates from 1520 though I highly doubt that the rooster on top dates back that far.
I love little libraries and take a look at the offerings in this reading booth near the churchyard.
As I walk by this wall in the village near the church, I wonder who might this young man be.
The path takes us past the Standing Stones of Drumtroddan from the Neolithic or Bronze age. This area is really old!
Then the trail heads down to the beach.
The wind blows over fields of green and gold.
I arrive at the first coastal ups, downs, and overs of the walk and am happy I have brought hiking poles to help me along the way. They take the pressure off knees and give arms a workout, too.
After twelve miles we arrive at our lodging only to find the door locked. It seems that everything in this remote beach spot is battened down for the season. A phone call brings the proprietor to the door and, aside from the fact that the restaurant where we were planning to eat dinner burned down the week before, all is well. The closest restaurant, a pizza parlor, is 5 km away and the proprietor has kindly offered to bring some back for us. Then I settle in to watch the waves.
After supper I tuck myself into bed keeping the window ajar so I can feel the moist air on my face and hear the sea’s lullaby.
Thought for today: In the company of strangers one may receive unexpected kindness.
May you have have a great weekend my friends.
What I’m Listening To
Sea Slumber-Song by Edward Elgar from Sea Pictures Op.37
You are most likely familiar with Elgar’s well known work Pomp and Circumstance so often played at graduation ceremonies but may not know of his beautiful work Sea Pictures. I have always loved mezzo-soprano Dame Janet Baker and her interpretation here is so lovely. (Here’s another link where you can follow along with the sheet music.)
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I loved this walk - Thank you Kate!!
The pictures and descriptions are wonderful, Kate! I especially like the stained glass window in the church and the blue door with the mysterious young man. Twelve miles is quite a feat! I’m happy some days just to get my 10,000 steps—4-plus miles. Often I fall short. Thanks for an inspiring post.