Hello my lovely readers!
Here is this week's second post, and the #WordyandWheelyWednesdays entry, about my week camping with my fellow Pathfinders at the wonderful Woodlarks. However, it'll be more photographic than wordy, as it's been a long day (few days, since I've got home) and I'm tired tonight. I mentioned in Monday's post that I had been nervous about going because I'd been ill, but that all my doubts were, if not entirely unfounded, certainly swept away by the end of the week.
This was made possible by a number of things, some seemingly small on the surface but actually very big, others that I had built up in my head but which turned out to be much smaller than suspected.
Firstly, my trusty waist strap, which I'd stopped using at home. It came in very useful in combatting the extra challenge of the combined forces of gravity and very steep hills.
Secondly, our lovely leader Sam, to whom I also dedicated part of Monday's post. Not only did she do wonderfully for her first year at the forefront of everything (generally) but she specifically helped me with the reminder that my spasmy side (from the gravity and hills combo) would thank me, and most likely calm down, if I got a couple of good nights' sleep indoors. She was right - and I think the rest of my patrol would probably agree, because they were saved from being kept up when I needed to turn on to my back. Sam also gave me the very generous gift of a heart-shaped worry stone, which has already had a lot of use and is hugely appreciated.
Thirdly, our daily moment for interfaith worship, which is known as Time Out in the Trees. I led the thoughtful session on Tuesday and (as well as offering my own silent, private thanks for the recovery of most of my stability) I talked of the cloudy sky and how I hoped there would be sunshine later - but also how the green trees against the grey had their own beauty. I remarked that the weather had helpfully coincided with my metaphor about how camp helps me recentre myself even when things are tough; and then we were indeed blessed with beautiful sunshine in the evening.
Fourthly, thanks to taking some rest time earlier in the week, I felt physically stable and emotionally confident to go on the aerial runway - something, you may recall from another recent post, I hadn't done since 2010. Not only was it not as painful and scary as I had supposed it might be, it felt so freeing. No action shots this time, but one just before.
Content Note: small spaces
Fifthly, but in a similar vein, I went water zorbing! I had been absolutely terrified about this beforehad, but it was also great. Yes, I had to take up interesting positions, particularly getting in and out, and I didn't stay in for the full time because I got scared when other zorb balls bumped into me (I was on my back, and too light to move away from them myself, and apparently slightly more claustrophobic than I realised). But I was physically comfortable, and the feeling of being able to gaze up at the sky from my back (even for those few moments) was as close to unencumbered bliss as I've been in a while.
Sixthly, friends. We had a great patrol, and as always by the end of the week we were like a mini-family (albeit one with vastly differing ideas about suitable bedtimes - I'm getting old! - and whether or not ketchup is a good condiment). We had lots of fun, from taking far too long to light a fire for lunch to smashing down stereotypes whilst out bowling. The photo here is a few of us at the pub, in the garden, drinking wine to celebrate Levi's memory.
Seventhly, also friends, but of the canine variety. Chloe (one of my longest-held human friends) brought with her her assistance dog, Fleur. Sometimes, when everything is quiet, Chloe is kind enough to allow us cuddles - and I was very happy, especially in the absence of my two.
So I suppose my message for this week is that, although friends, fur, fun and fire (both the element and the soul strength) don't fix everything, they go along way to helping. Pathfinders is aptly named - it's always there, even when we think we might have lost our way. And I'm so very glad I didn't miss it this year.
Love til next week
Jx
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