Thursday, September 11, 2014

Camino- Jellybeans

I missed Fathers' Day in New Zealand so just wanted to say thanks to dear old Dad. 


Even at 78 years old he still goes on week-long cycling and hiking trips with his family and 60-year old whippersnapper friends from the beach.

The trips are not without incident. Three times Dad has (literally) fallen off a cliff. The last time he was hanging on for dear life, already badly bruised by the fall.

One of the whippersnapper 60 year old friends, Crash, called to Dad that he needed strength before he started climbed back up and that he would lower down some jellybeans.

"I don't like jellybeans" Dad called back up.

After indignant insistence from the whippersnappers, Dad called up: "Okay then, I'll have three."

Once Dad had climbed back to the top, another of his friends scolded him: "You're a stubborn old man!" 

A couple of days ago I wanted to be finished, for the walk to be over. So yesterday I walked 36km. Today I walked 49 km. - it took 13 hours. I walked for hours this evening trying to find a bed, no luck, had to walk on, so it wasn't intentional. 

(That means tomorrow i've just got 25km to the end! I will have done it in 26 days - the guidebook allows 33 days)

Tonight Im so tired i can hardly chew. 

Thats too much walking, other people say to me. Ease up they say, be gentle on yourself. Yogic things like that. 

I suppose i could have called a cab, got a ride on a tractor, but i didnt want to. 

Sometimes it works better to be bloody stubborn. 







See you on the other side...

20 comments:

  1. Early congratulations. Job well done.

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  2. Wow you are amazing Jody. What grit and I guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Have a good and safe last day of walking, I bet the Kevstar will be so happy to see you!

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  3. You are amazing! You are inspiring me to give a try. Or maybe I'll just go relax on a beach.

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  4. Love that story about your dad! No wonder you can do this trek. It's in your blood..Or maybe just all Kiwis! I cannot believe you cut 7 days off this trek!! Hope you get some pampering at the end. You are almost there!! Go Jody!!
    xx

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  5. You're amazing. And the spitting image of your mom, but I think you're channeling your dad to walk 49 km in a day. Thank you for sharing this trip with us - I love the photos and the honesty. - Laura C

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  6. I can't believe how far you've been walking in a day Jody - so impressive! So exciting you're almost at the end. I'm sure you'll feel such a mix of emotions, especially given the tragic news you had along the way. Enjoy the last day of walking, and I hope you've booked into somewhere relaxing and a little more luxurious to celebrate xx

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  7. Bravo Jody! You certainly have inherited your father's determined spirit. Now only for the homestretch. See you in the winner's circle.

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  8. Your dad sounds like quite the character. Well done for your walk progress. What a tremendous accomplishment!

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  9. I've been with you every post and I have loved this, dear ALW. Thank you for all the wonder of the photos and the culture I never would have seen. Your posts have been such a great record of your achievement. Btw, I have been reading lots of your musings. Hilarious stuff. Such funny stories in some. I laughed some much about the Christmas High Tea shenanigans back in 2010. Looking forward to you finishing. Xxx

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  10. Wow! Almost 40 km in one day! You are awesome!!
    I've really enjoyed reading your Camino journey on the blog xxx

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  11. Braveheart!
    Linda C.

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  12. Fantastic! Thanks for sharing your walk with us. It has been amazing to see this journey. Are you the baby on your mom's lap in the family photo? The jelly bean story is a hoot.

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  13. this has been a wonderful adventure, and I love that you took the time to share it with us.

    And the jellybean story reminded me so much of my dad - I miss him more and more as the years go by.

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  14. Sounds like you've got quite a bit of your Dad in you.

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  15. That's 30 miles!!! Good for you. Hope you enjoy the last leg.

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  16. OMG you are DONE then as I read this!!!!!!!!!CONGRATUALTIONS!!Plus, you did it in record SPEED!You must be mighty proud of yourself!YOUR DAD IS TOO!!!!!!!XX

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  17. Hi Jody,
    One sailor says,we have the ancient instinct to persevere, to survive. Your dad shows that and of course, it can be hereditary.
    Only 25km to the end? Wow. You can do that without the ice cream cone melting.You will be breaking records by 6 days.
    Hang in there. You will be entering the Hall of Successful Pilgrims.
    Best regards,
    Edgar

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    1. Edgar - I loved all your notes to me along the way and just wanted to share this one too:


      "The trick is bringing that feeling back with you. To return to everyday life and to be so valiant and free is the hard part.
      What you have experienced is an inspiration to last a lifetime. And it can be hereditary.
      The buddhist has a saying, if I can paraphrase it correctly: after enlightenment, then there is the laundry.

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  18. This is when you can tell the men from the boys - if you see what I mean.

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  19. Reading this and then reading your dad's comment on the next post has brought a tear to my eye. Truly your father's daughter and he can be endlessly proud that his fighting spirit has passed to the next generation x

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