Snow covered Pyrenees fill my distant view. Rolling forested hills dotted with attractive villas and vineyards are my near view. To the right, and below, of me a shuttered up small holiday home or someone's much loved weekend retreat. If there had been signs of occupation, then out of respect, I would not have parked here in this conveniant little pull in by their entrance gateway. As it is I can see no one else as Foxy10 sits neatly in her wee saddle on this ridge of hills between 'Oloron st Marie' and 'Pau' here in SW France.
I'm sat next to wildflowers with the only sound being the buzz of myriad insects as they pursue their daily business. Which; by the way entails a nasty nip at one of my ankles causing the usual swelling and itching.
Wild camping spots such as this are precious. I never hurry and always give time for reflection. Time for reflection on my good fortune, family, health and sufficient wealth. All, plus more, the ingredients granting me in this my third age, such precious moments.
No more so than this very moments contemplating of distant snow covered peaks reflecting the sun which warmed both Tanya and I as we basked in its bright healing rays. The thought popping up in such moments is always, share; share this moment in all its awesomeness. This blog entry is an attempt at that sharing, which of course it can never be. As a photograph only ever captures a specific nanosecond of part of the whole picture, so also my attempt at sharing. I can only give you an approximation of my 'moment'. You can only relate to it by recalling similar, and by definition, different, from your own store of 'moments'.
One of the joys/gifts of my life has been an ability to listen to others as they recount their own moments. Those listening skills were honed and had a keen sharp edge during my years as a mental health wellbeing practitioner (Counsellor). Even now I still love to listen but have noticed that now I no longer enjoy the continuous professional training and support, the bubbling up of my own 'need to tell of my moment' , is harder to supress.
For me, these precious and joyful moments contain strong connecting energy and value. They demand I give due time, consideration, reflection and meditation to them. If I don't I feel I am not honouring or respecting previous generations who gave so much to enable my present 'moments' fortunate circumstances. Nor am I honouring or respecting those present generations who are, for whatever reason, suffering bleak, joyless moments.
..............
Well that was reflection and now its cutting hedges and shifting furniture. After a slow meander across this most beautiful part of SW France I am at 'Vers'. It is a gorgeous and very small French village right on the banks of the River Lot where it conjoins with the 'Vers' tributary. There is a lovely, laid back, Aire here and also, if you want to pay a bit more money, a Municipal, and also laid back, campsite right on riverside. I'm here helping Mike, whom I met earlier this year in Spain. He has just signed on the dotted line for a ridiculously cheap, but liveable in, typical old style French village house. The place is huge and on three levels with the main two bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen and terrace at the roadside level with multiple rooms and potential below. I helped yesterday by trimming his roadside hedge and firing up his quite modern hot water/heating system. Boy was that cooling swim in the deep pools of the Vers welcome in the 31°c heat of the day. Today it's moving furniture down from his temporary rented Jite. However; he needs very little as at some time the house must have been rented out as a Jite with all the furniture, pots and pans, white goods and even a car trailer included in the purchase. And the price? About the same as I paid for Foxy10 in pounds Sterling. I am tempted, really tempted and one day...... well who knows. My wandering lifestyle suits me just now whereas Mike has family, friends and his artistic community in this area. For him a good and financially sensible move. For me another good friend and beautiful place to visit.
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