Today I arose early, eager to get into town before it got too hot to walk back. After making my breakfast smoothie, I grabbed my bag, kissed my girls goodbye and went on my way. I love walking, it is one of the best ways in which I clear my head and it helps that I also live in a beautiful place.
I got all that I needed and in under two hours I was on my way back home. This is the part of the journey that I want to share with you all today, the walk I do at least once a week in and out to the local town to get all the supplies that I need and also to catch up with some friends.
I could do this walk blind folded, it is almost the same route that I have been making these last 7 years. When I was looking for a new piece of land to move to, I thought that I would be moving to another valley, but as luck would have it, I am just above the one I used to live in.
Surrounded by mountains and what was once white washed houses, but after the last Sahara Stan Storm, all the houses look more like clay/adobe houses. Most of the people who live around this area, grow olive, almond and citrus trees. In the cooler months, there is an abundance of oranges hanging from the trees and within easy reach of the road. Oranges make the most perfect snack when you are walking.
This wall was also white before the sand storm. They occur naturally each year, but never to this extend. Usually you experience a dusting of sand, but this time, it was way more than sand that landed on us all.
The road that I take, is usually very quiet. Occasionally there is a traffic jam, but that is only when you meet the goat herder and his herd walking towards the riverbed. I love when I meet them, you can hear their bells in the distance. There is something so calming about walking with a herd of animals.
The land all around me is so green, after the abundance of rain we had. I have been here, when their has been much less rainfall and it makes the summers harder to bare. But this year, the earth has been able to drink well and the land is bursting with life.
I would normally follow the road to the right, which would take me down into the valley, but now I continue on straight, which means that I am much more elevated where I live. Something, I have been enjoying enormously.
Up here there is also more water, with the acequia running all year long, which will make it a lot easier for me to grow my food. There is also quite a big alberca on the land, which will double as a swimming pool in the summer.
It is a little been more wild up where, there are far less borders or fences, which I really do enjoy. I love to see wide open land, it does good for the soul to see such a thing. It makes me feel freer too.
Just before you reach the land I am on, there is this casita, which is more or less abandoned. With the land left to fend for itself. It was quite dry when I first moved here, but now it is so lush after all of the rain.
When I see these two majestic Olive trees which are in the foreground of the picture, I know that I have reached, the place that I call home for now. I do feel blessed to live in such a beautiful place, a hidden little corner, that almost seems like it has been forgotten about. Which suits me just fine. Here's hoping that I do get to stay here for a while.
I can see you had a great walk back home. I can relate to what you said about being able to walk back home blindfolded since it's the same route you've been passing for the last 7years. But isn't that route so lonely?..
Thank goodness there isn't any sort of crime in your area. Had it been it was in my country, I wouldnt dare pass that road alone. That's the kind of place the kidnappers and thieves will stay and wait for who to kidnap or steal from.
How are your girls doing? I hope great. I enjoyed reading through your post.
I love this route and I cherish the time to myself, it is also super safe.
I am sorry to hear that you would feel unsafe to pass a similar route in your country.
My girl so are doing great David, thank you for asking. I hope all is well with you my friend xxx
Good to know you are very safe on the route. All is well with me. Hoping for the best.
Beautiful! So glad you live in this place and that you fully enjoy it! Gratitude is half way to happiness, as a teacher of mine often says, and we tend to forget it. Thank you so much for sharing!
We also have Sahara sand pretty often, but white walls turning to this, I have never seen that, wow!
There is a turn on the road that when I see it I know I am home :) What a beautiful feeling! xxxx
Ah thank you @traisto, yes gratitude certainly sets you on the path to a happy life xxxx
The Sahara sand was really intense this year xxxx
A long way from Offaly. Looks lovely. I remember the Sahara storms. They used to cover cars in the Canaries when I lived there. It was mad.
Lol, it is indeed, I am heading back to the Emerald Isle this coming week, excited to be returning for a few weeks xxxx
oh yeah?? Where about's in Offaly are you from?
Are you one of them Garahys or Clearys from Birr or a Dornan from Bannagher? :-D
So you might not have to move again? It really is a very special place. I hope you can stay.
I am going to Ireland for a few weeks, I will use that time to clear my head. It is such a wonderful spot, but privacy means so much to me. Fingers crossed we can find a way xxxx
Nice! Where is this country ?
Reminds me south of France. With a lot of sunshine!
It is in the South of Spain xxxx
Ok cool, nice country =)