Sunday, December 18, 2011

Day 533 - Special times


And before you could say 'year end', Christmas week has arrived. It feels as if it almost sneaked up on us this year, is it just me, or are the months flying past at the speed of light?

When I started this blog I had almost two years to go before my big walk in Spain, now there are less than six months to go! Planning has started in all earnest and as an extra bonus we have decided to add a week long barging trip in France after the walk. A couple of years ago we did a similar trip down the Canal du Midi - probably one of the best holidays we've ever had. I can't think of a more fitting way to relax after walking 800 km!

Here are a few of our memories...










Pictures courtesy of my friend Tanja Els
As you can see - this was a truly special trip and I am reminded how important it is to nurture our friendships!

As for the people joining me on the Camino in Spain - I could not have asked for a more special group of friends, even if I tried! Some will go all the way and some will join me for a part of the walk.

This week I met young Annie, daughter of my hiking buddie Eddie. She came to visit all the way from Barcelona and the little delightful canape in the picture at the beginning of this post was her creation. She joined us on our hike last week and this was her contribution to our year end barbecue in the mountains. Pretty civilised!

What a treat it would be if she could pay us a surprise visit somewhere along the route, especially as her dad will be walking with us all the way!

In the meantime - travel plans and dates are now becoming the main focus and in the next couple of weeks I'll be concentrating on flight options, starting dates and luggage options.

All I know for sure at this stage is that I'm starting the walk in St Jean Pied de Port and that I'd like to walk into the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela on the 12th of July 2012, the day of my big birthday!

In the meantime, I have a Christmas eve menu to plan. My house will be filled with family this year and I think it's time to take out the Christmas decorations...

A certain little person is now celebrating his fourth Christmas and I say again - is it just me, or is time flying by at the speed of light?

3 comments:

  1. Daardie foto's is FANTASTIES! En sjoe! Ek wens ek kon ook gaan saam stap! Ek hoop van harte dat dit nog op my lewenspad iewers uitgestippel is... Sterkte met die finale reëlings. Die volgende 6 maande gaan vinnig hardloop!

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  2. Ok..it's official..I "hate" you!! I am just kidding..but seriously in that pic at the end of your post...you look like the Mama, not the Grandmere!! What did you do...have your kids when you were 14? I can't believe it's six months now!! If I don't get to it on the day...Merry Christmas!!

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  3. Toortsie - Never say never! Jy weet nooit wat wag om die volgende draai vir jou nie!

    Karin - Sometimes I feel like the Mama! :) Some pics are just kinder than others! Merry Christmas to you as well - super special this year with your two little babies!

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