What an experience! I've been fascinated by sacred mountains for a long time. Good to know that we don't have to travel to Tibet, Mongolia or Mount Fuji to meet one.
Quite a brave venture to walk in the pilgrim's footsteps at this time of year. I certainly enjoyed the visual sharing of your journey (including the good Irish pub meal at the end).
Having been at home in West Penwith (Cornwall) for 13 years, and visited Wales on various occasions I have an affinity with the Celtic landscape and am familiar with the insane weather shifts (would have probably preferred to stay home with a pot of tea instead of dodging sleet, hail and snow). It always awakens that untranslatable feeling called 'saudade' in Portuguese.
Brave maybe, naive definitely. The seasonal timing wasn't the best, that's for sure. We weren't even 45 minutes in when it started pouring sleet and snow with wind gusts blowing sideways. The goal was purely to make it to the base of the mountain at that point.
I said, "If we get up to the bottom of the mountain and the sun comes out by some freaking miracle, then that's our sign to keep going." I didn't believe there was a snowball's chance in Hades that would happen in a million years, and was looking forward to turning around. Sure enough we got to the plateau at the bottom and at that moment five miles of cloud cover suddenly evaporate into a blue sky and the sun comes pouring through.
So we decided to make a go of it, and two minutes later it started hailing. LOL
Have never been but would love to see Cornwall some day! Do you mean that the extreme weather shifts instigates that 'saudade' feeling, or rather that is evoked by staying home cozy with a nice tea instead of exploring the landscape?
I remember the rain coming sideways... 😂 No, I certainly don't miss those!
The constant wind is tiring and exhausting in the long run. What I do miss is the coastal walks, being near the sea (when it's not too windy) and the incredible range of stunning gardens to visit.
If/when you go to Cornwall, I highly recommend the Eden Project (preferably not in high season of summer holidays)
Suffering has always been a major component of a pilgrimage. Through out history , we can find stories of people, crawling on their hands and knees to complete their task or journey. Seriously, you did not bring food ? Did you also share a pint of water between you? Well of course you ‘became one’ with the collective journey of those who have been called by the mountain. Not bringing ‘fuel to feed the furnace’ as a seasoned hiker might say, was the perfect ingredient to have an authentic pilgrimage, suffering both emotional and physical. Poor knees, I sincerely hope that your knees do not continue to tell the tale ( “ ever since you took me on that hike…”).
In truth, an ancient stone path carefully placed , sculpted by weather and time. It’s once jagged corners now smoothed and molded sometimes just by the hands of other travelers who may have reached down for support or rest.
“That energy was palpable, as if it was radiating out of the rock itself.”
And who’s to say that stone does not have the ability to hold memories. The gorgeous view , was the ‘icing on the cake’.
Which I hope you both shared for dessert.
One vote for your wonderful short stories with pictures to enhance.
Lor thank you so much for this. You were one of the very first to comment on my very first essay and I so appreciate that.
Yes, suffering was very much a part of this pilgrimage. For better or worse, at least the discomfort gives the visceral option of full embodied presence. My wife says she found videos on YouTube of women aged 80+ climbing barefoot on hands and knees. As far as my knees go, it took 2-3 days and then they were better than new. :) have had similar experience on past hikes with steep descents so I somewhat knew what to expect there.
100% I believe that rock and mineral do hold memory. The pyramid top of the summit focused it like light reversing through a prism. I was deeply moved.
This is beautiful, and I felt this every step: “an ancient stone path carefully placed , sculpted by weather and time. It’s once jagged corners now smoothed and molded sometimes just by the hands of other travelers who may have reached down for support or rest.”
Your post about Ivy was your first? I loved that one. I remember, I told you about my friend’s experience with the spite pee. But, I did not tell you mine. So , ‘while I have your ear’ Quick scenario; I broke my leg mountain biking in 1996. I was in a cast up to my thigh for, let’s just say, too long. Finally, my sentence was reduced for good behavior , ( and making some new bone). We had been on the waiting list for a new pup, and now , he would become a family member in 24 hours. Ok, pup arrives, and I have my new half cast. Meet Peeps our cat. As I lay in bed that evening, pup all settled in his new digs. Peeps rubs up against me, works her way under the covers, which she never does, and settles in next to my cast. I thought, how sweet . A few minutes later, she shimmies back out, squints at me, and leaves the room. I become one with my pillow and close my eyes. Five minutes later I feel something wet in the bed. And although I thought for just one moment that , well you know, it was me. Nope.
Peeps, obviously not happy at all about her new mate, left me a gift of a spite pee, right next to my cast. Yes, I had to have a new cast put on the next day….
Yes indeed - never thought Ivy would ever be a writing topic of mine, but the heart had other plans. 😆
Hahaha oh no! The spite peeps (my kids call pee a ‘peeps’) from Peeps herself. I have only seen that squint of cat vengeance once or twice, thank goodness. Although your particular situation was the purest of feline brutality. Not only did she want you to experience her displeasure, she directly went after your most vulnerable part.
Incredible views. That’s one thing I feel we lose out on in the west. A big thing. These experiences of pilgrimage dating back centuries. We just tear everything down here and build Starbucks.
Fantastic. Not least of all the fish and chips. 🍺 🍺
OK, possibly funny observation: because of the way the microphone blows out every climb of any size mountain sounds like the hikers are on Everest. I hope you brought oxygen. :-)
Gotta love Ireland’s rugged coast and of course their rugby❤️👏🏆🏈. I miss her so much living on mainland uk but I don’t miss the wind; it’s relentless 😂. There’s a great song called Irish Day by Iona; one of my favourites it speaks of Ireland’s 4 seasons in one day and faith. Well done for your endurance and the views are breathtaking 🙌
That’s so awesome Beverley thank you for the song recommendation. Yes there was a good bit of rugby on in the pubs while we were there - the viewing atmosphere was intense but much more cordial than I’m used to in America. A good change.
And the views … purely incomparable. I am absolutely in love with Ireland and can’t wait to go back. 🦅 🤘 ☘️
What an experience! I've been fascinated by sacred mountains for a long time. Good to know that we don't have to travel to Tibet, Mongolia or Mount Fuji to meet one.
Quite a brave venture to walk in the pilgrim's footsteps at this time of year. I certainly enjoyed the visual sharing of your journey (including the good Irish pub meal at the end).
Having been at home in West Penwith (Cornwall) for 13 years, and visited Wales on various occasions I have an affinity with the Celtic landscape and am familiar with the insane weather shifts (would have probably preferred to stay home with a pot of tea instead of dodging sleet, hail and snow). It always awakens that untranslatable feeling called 'saudade' in Portuguese.
Brave maybe, naive definitely. The seasonal timing wasn't the best, that's for sure. We weren't even 45 minutes in when it started pouring sleet and snow with wind gusts blowing sideways. The goal was purely to make it to the base of the mountain at that point.
I said, "If we get up to the bottom of the mountain and the sun comes out by some freaking miracle, then that's our sign to keep going." I didn't believe there was a snowball's chance in Hades that would happen in a million years, and was looking forward to turning around. Sure enough we got to the plateau at the bottom and at that moment five miles of cloud cover suddenly evaporate into a blue sky and the sun comes pouring through.
So we decided to make a go of it, and two minutes later it started hailing. LOL
Have never been but would love to see Cornwall some day! Do you mean that the extreme weather shifts instigates that 'saudade' feeling, or rather that is evoked by staying home cozy with a nice tea instead of exploring the landscape?
I remember the rain coming sideways... 😂 No, I certainly don't miss those!
The constant wind is tiring and exhausting in the long run. What I do miss is the coastal walks, being near the sea (when it's not too windy) and the incredible range of stunning gardens to visit.
If/when you go to Cornwall, I highly recommend the Eden Project (preferably not in high season of summer holidays)
Will be sure to check it out :)
Suffering has always been a major component of a pilgrimage. Through out history , we can find stories of people, crawling on their hands and knees to complete their task or journey. Seriously, you did not bring food ? Did you also share a pint of water between you? Well of course you ‘became one’ with the collective journey of those who have been called by the mountain. Not bringing ‘fuel to feed the furnace’ as a seasoned hiker might say, was the perfect ingredient to have an authentic pilgrimage, suffering both emotional and physical. Poor knees, I sincerely hope that your knees do not continue to tell the tale ( “ ever since you took me on that hike…”).
In truth, an ancient stone path carefully placed , sculpted by weather and time. It’s once jagged corners now smoothed and molded sometimes just by the hands of other travelers who may have reached down for support or rest.
“That energy was palpable, as if it was radiating out of the rock itself.”
And who’s to say that stone does not have the ability to hold memories. The gorgeous view , was the ‘icing on the cake’.
Which I hope you both shared for dessert.
One vote for your wonderful short stories with pictures to enhance.
Lor thank you so much for this. You were one of the very first to comment on my very first essay and I so appreciate that.
Yes, suffering was very much a part of this pilgrimage. For better or worse, at least the discomfort gives the visceral option of full embodied presence. My wife says she found videos on YouTube of women aged 80+ climbing barefoot on hands and knees. As far as my knees go, it took 2-3 days and then they were better than new. :) have had similar experience on past hikes with steep descents so I somewhat knew what to expect there.
100% I believe that rock and mineral do hold memory. The pyramid top of the summit focused it like light reversing through a prism. I was deeply moved.
This is beautiful, and I felt this every step: “an ancient stone path carefully placed , sculpted by weather and time. It’s once jagged corners now smoothed and molded sometimes just by the hands of other travelers who may have reached down for support or rest.”
Your post about Ivy was your first? I loved that one. I remember, I told you about my friend’s experience with the spite pee. But, I did not tell you mine. So , ‘while I have your ear’ Quick scenario; I broke my leg mountain biking in 1996. I was in a cast up to my thigh for, let’s just say, too long. Finally, my sentence was reduced for good behavior , ( and making some new bone). We had been on the waiting list for a new pup, and now , he would become a family member in 24 hours. Ok, pup arrives, and I have my new half cast. Meet Peeps our cat. As I lay in bed that evening, pup all settled in his new digs. Peeps rubs up against me, works her way under the covers, which she never does, and settles in next to my cast. I thought, how sweet . A few minutes later, she shimmies back out, squints at me, and leaves the room. I become one with my pillow and close my eyes. Five minutes later I feel something wet in the bed. And although I thought for just one moment that , well you know, it was me. Nope.
Peeps, obviously not happy at all about her new mate, left me a gift of a spite pee, right next to my cast. Yes, I had to have a new cast put on the next day….
Yes indeed - never thought Ivy would ever be a writing topic of mine, but the heart had other plans. 😆
Hahaha oh no! The spite peeps (my kids call pee a ‘peeps’) from Peeps herself. I have only seen that squint of cat vengeance once or twice, thank goodness. Although your particular situation was the purest of feline brutality. Not only did she want you to experience her displeasure, she directly went after your most vulnerable part.
*we only brought water
Incredible views. That’s one thing I feel we lose out on in the west. A big thing. These experiences of pilgrimage dating back centuries. We just tear everything down here and build Starbucks.
Take me home to Mayo 💚
Fantastic. Not least of all the fish and chips. 🍺 🍺
OK, possibly funny observation: because of the way the microphone blows out every climb of any size mountain sounds like the hikers are on Everest. I hope you brought oxygen. :-)
Oxygen would’ve been helpful regardless, considering my current level of fitness. Are you sure that wasn’t just me gasping for breath?
Gotta love Ireland’s rugged coast and of course their rugby❤️👏🏆🏈. I miss her so much living on mainland uk but I don’t miss the wind; it’s relentless 😂. There’s a great song called Irish Day by Iona; one of my favourites it speaks of Ireland’s 4 seasons in one day and faith. Well done for your endurance and the views are breathtaking 🙌
That’s so awesome Beverley thank you for the song recommendation. Yes there was a good bit of rugby on in the pubs while we were there - the viewing atmosphere was intense but much more cordial than I’m used to in America. A good change.
And the views … purely incomparable. I am absolutely in love with Ireland and can’t wait to go back. 🦅 🤘 ☘️