Day 18:
What a difference a day makes! Yesterday at this time I was boarding a plane from Bilbao. Today I'm cosily ensconced in Emma's sunroom, icing.
The trip was uneventful. Bilbao airport is lovely, if you haven't seen it yet. Set in a bowl of green hills, filled with low-lying clouds, the building is modern,tasteful and intimate, with big picture-windows looking out at the surrounding valley. It made waiting to board enjoyable!
Arriving in Gatwick was easy, and at the moment that I walked through the Arrivals door, Emma was hurtling down the hallway and into my arms. It was a teary, sweet reunion.
An hour later we were lunching on soup, fresh homemade sourdough and local cheese with Emma's husband Colin, outdoors in their sunny garden.
Afterwards, Emma propped me up in a chair in the sun with ice and a blanket, and I confess to dozing off for a while.
The chatter of crows, partridges and doves in the forest across the road woke me a while later, and what commenced was a beautiful late afternoon and evening with the dearest of friends.
Day 19:
Quiet day, as per Emma's strict orders. I'm not allowed to do much for now, other than sit with my leg up. I'm not sure that I'll have much excitement to share for the next days, other than what I'm reading!
But I do want to spend some time reflecting on the Camino experience while I heal and hope to get back. More on that anon, probably in separate thematic entries.
For now, my plan is to see how my leg is in a week. Emma has a local PT and masseuse, and is trying to get me in with both. The PT especially should be able to give me some advice on returning to the Camino and distances to aim for if I am able to return.
But for now, it's time to relax into this current stage and let the healing happen. It's a big adjustment from all the activity of the past weeks, but this, too, is a form of mental discipline.
Even this stillness is part of the journey.
Loving your acceptance. Give love to Hampshire - one of the "home counties". Rest.