'Montferrand'. Nothing special. Just a tiny 'Cotswold' like hamlet somewhere between 'Rocamadour' where I left this morning, and 'Eymet' where I am headed. "Ile est tranqueeeel". We are parked up in a tiny space by the church. There is nobody around and it is a very still breathlessly warm evening. Humid too. There is a tall wall and Sadie is tucked up against it. Above the wall, presumably the bottom of someones garden, is a bamboo grove towering above us. The bamboo is musically knocking against its neighbour as the birds flutter about its depths. Apart from musical bamboo, and now at nearly ten pm when the timer has stopped ringing the church bells, it is so quiet I can still just hear the humming of the bees nest inside the window of the old building not six feet from Sadies open window. The only slight block on this picture of perfection ....... the washing up is still to do. Ah well; it was a lovely meal and there is enough for tomorrow night too. Best get on with it I suppose. It is one of my rules. Washing up done and everything put away before bed. You just never know when or if you may have to make a hasty get away. It has never happened yet but the night I decide to leave the dishes...... Well; I don't think you need me to tell the inevitable end to that story.
'Rocamadour' was where we had left. Fascinating Rocamadour clinging to its cliff with the steep ziggy zaggy walk down from the Chateaux, where we were parked, to the beautiful pilgrimage church and touristy town below. It is a walk where the Catholic 'Stations of the Cross' are at every sharp turn. They are common all over France and Spain depicting very accurately the human journey. The fact we pick up our cross, burden, or life problems and then, if we don't learn to let them go as and when they make us fall, or as friends and family advise or try to help and support then sure as sure is sure, we crucify ourselves. They are an uncannily accurate depiction in respect of substance mis-users.
It was very wet when we arrived so wet gear came out and we enjoyed a good nose round all the 'tourist tat shops' as I call them, plus a time of reflection in the beautiful chapel and of course back up ziggy zaggy path with more reflections assisted by the well illuminated 'stations' at every zig and zag. Yes; I've certainly picked up a few cross's, or rucksacks as I prefer to call them, on my life's journey. Thankfully, for all the reasons so well alluded to by 'the stations' I have thus far managed to avoid martyring/crucifying myself. However: there is still time......!
The rain was persistent. All books on my Kindle are now read. All DVD's watched, tea consumed, washing up done and still only half past seven. Nothing for it then but to delve in the rear cupboards and pull out Barbara's birthday present to me. 'Meccano set in a tin'. On opening I saw there were three packaged sets with labels on pertaining to the item to be assembled according to the instruction sheet. Hmmph! That is not how Meccano works. I felt much happier when contents of said packages had been randomely dumped with satisfyingly muddled rattle in bottom of tin.
"Now let's see what we can create eh Tanya!"
The picture is of my 'Harly Meccanoson airo Batmotrike'. Not bad eh? I even plonked a piccy of it on facebook with the caption. 'It is official. Now I know I am bonkers'. There was a quick response from a 'facebook friend' questioning the word 'Now'. Cheek eh.
Another Pilgrimage to a place close to heart and mind and now almost an obligatory stopover on my way back to the UK. PLUM VILLAGE. Buddhist monastry and Mindfulness retreat/training centre. I stay at 'upper hamlet', the mens retreat centre which is also home to Thai himself. (Thic Nhat Han)
I practice and read the Dharma (teachings) regularly in my own individualistic way and have done so for many years. Their psyhcological common sense and wisdom strongly informed my years of counselling practice. I was offering meditation/breathing meditation long before it garnered the fashionable term 'Mindfulness'.
However: the opportunity, for a short time, to practice/be immersed with the 'Sangha' (community) is always a privilege. This visit was no exception. Wonderful meeting of minds, exquisite organic veggie food, walking meditation in warm sunshine and beautiful surroundings plus a spirit enhancing bonus. Thai himself, now a frail wheelchair using stroke affected elder, appeared amidst us, his Sangha, at evening meditation practice. For me this was a deeply touching, very special and practice encouraging unexpected gift. Thank you Plum Village.
I have promised myself once the Tanya and I meditative practice time completes its full course then Plum Village will see me for a full term Retreat.
Bergerac right now. Thunder, lightning and rain hammering on Sadies roof. It has been a wonderful day though. Very very hot & some sadness as we drove away from Plum Village. Reality however; quickly stepped in to address any lingering sadness. Yup you got it. Bloody annoyingly loud "I'm sure that windows gonna bust" crack started up again as soon as I moved.
"Well Tanya. Which bit can I remove now to see if that makes any difference?"
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