Today I sit in a cafe in Truro, seeing the capital of Cornwall and waiting for the train this afternoon to Bodmin Parkway where I will my dear old friend Diana for a weekend together at Port Isaac. Yesterday I would not have, could not have expected that I would not be walking today.
At the train station at Perranwell, while I bandaged my blistered toe, I made a conscious choice to keep on walking, recognizing that this was the last point at which I could take a train or even a bus for quite a while. I chose to head down into the River Fal valley and to trust the unfoldment of my journey to meet Diana this evening.
It was a beautiful afternoon. The sun was out, it was warm and breezy and the river was at very low tide. I happily walked along, well, perhaps limped is more accurate as my toe was hurting quite badly by this time of the day. I was an old tram road along the river's edge and thoroughly enjoyed the birds, flowers, colors and warmth. I had even called ahead to a farm at Come-to-Good to see about a bed for the night. She was full, but was able to offer me camping and a much needed shower. Knowing I had a place to stay, I happily trudged along.
I was to turn inland at Point and Penpol Creek, and had just done so and was getting ready to walk up the steep and wooded hill when I heard someone calling. I turned around mostly because I was curious about what was happening, never imagining it had anything to do with me.
A woman was calling for me. It didn't make any sense and all I could imagine is that was Sue, the woman I talked to from Come-to-Good. "Sue?" I noticed her brown hair and thought she looked like a woman I had met in the cafe at Stithians Reservoir the day before, yet still never seriously considered that to be possible. Sure enough! It was Sheila who had been hoping to fish with her friends that wet and miserable day.
She had seen me walk by in front of her house, and ran outside to flag me down. I told her about camping at Come-to-Good, and she said we should see if the local campsite might have something. I knew that I needed to get a little further along, and it somehow just didn't feel right to stay there. When Sheila mentioned that I could pitch my tent in her garden, that felt so good that I immediately said yes, I would love to.
Funny how everything shifted in a moment, and continued to shift, because very quickly Sheila offered me a bed, hot bath, bubbles, dinner, wine and a cup of tea! I felt so taken care of and provided for, and very happy and grateful. Earlier in the day, I actually had asked, "how might I get a hot bath today? I wonder where I could have a glass or wine or cider? How might I sleep in a nice warm bed?" A few questions and look at what showed up!
I had a delightful time with Sheila and her husband, Roger, and her good friend, Janet, whom I had also met at the reservoir. We had a delicious dinner, fun conversation, lots of laughter, and truthfully, felt as though I had been taken in by loving, caring angels.
All of our conversations, from drinks and dinner last night to Sheila's and my conversation over breakfast in her summer house this morning, has contributed so deeply to my journey.
One of my intentions for this journey is to be in right relationship with the physical world, with earning and receiving money and income. This has been an aspect of my life that has not worked, and I am deeply grateful to be in a relationship with someone who's willing to work hard, support and provide while I figure this one out.
This basic, first chakra core issue has been upside down for me, and my intention is to turn it right side up, and be able and willing to create and generate income in a meaningful, sustainable and contributory way, for me and for my family. I truly want to financially contribute at such a level that Steve can reduce his work load, and stress, and actually be able to have more down time and creative time. In Anodea Judith's words, I deeply desire to fully accept and embody that "matter matters."
Sheila's and my conversation this morning was actually an exploration and expression of exactly this, and what Sheila shared from her own personal journey of financial empowerment has gone deeply into my being and psyche. Once again, the path truly does provide.
What will it take for me to contain, collect and build, actually create and generate something that contributes financiall to me and my family, AND supports me to live in England/Cornwall and America?
So, back to sitting in a little cafe and getting to spend the weekend with Diana, and knowing that on Sunday afternoon/Monday morning I have to go back to Penpol, and step back on the path where I left off and walk.
As I have been plotting and planning my journey, I had said that I would walk to Brentor, on the west side of Cornwall. I realized the other morning lying in my blustery tent, that what I truly committed to is walking to Restormel, and perhaps as far east as Liskeard, where my father grew up. Although Liskeard is actually not on the Mary line, I can easily drop down from St. Cleer. The path will reveal what I need to do.
I want to be in Lostwithiel and Restormel for the Solstice, and that has been my intention since the beginning. Even with the unexpected events and not just walking day after day, and with returning to the path to walk on Monday, it all should work out just perfectly to be in Lostwithiel/Restormel on the Solstice.
Allowing the path to continue to unfold...
Solvitur Ambulando!
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