Tag: walk

Every step I take

While studying at uni, the pressures on me were crushing and having to raise children within a tight budget, the only affordable release I had was to go for a walk.  I did this three times a day, totalling 12 kms (approximately 7.5 miles) every day.  I walked fast as if it would distance me from all that overwhelmed me on the day.  I was slender as a reed.

Now my steps are more measured.  And, despite the frenetic pace of professional life, my personal life, is measured too.  I touch base with me when I walk.  It is meditative.  I am whole.  It renews me.  My pace is slow.  Of course the down side is, I am no longer slender as a reed!

I’ve been in Esperance for the last few days and returned home this afternoon.  It was cloudy but warm and balmy and quite unusual for that town.  As is my routine, I woke early this morning and headed out to the Bay and my other favourite spots.  I love to walk here in the mornings.DSCN8263.jpgThe Whale Tail is iconic.  I’d love to rip up every other structure within sight so the beauty of this sculpture can be fully appreciated.DSCN8274.jpgBefore dawn, the colours across the Bay were beautiful in pale blues and greys.  This is a town where I feel so safe and secure.  It is my soft place to land each month.DSCN8366.jpgI walked around Windabout Lake where the pelicans cruised like ocean liners.DSCN8339.jpgAcross the board walk, the bankia cones were everywhere.DSCN8342.jpgAnd just when I thought I was alone!DSCN8343.jpgA joey.  Look at those eyes!

I’ve come to realise when I go for a walk each day, there is so much about me I leave behind intentionally.  I know a walk in nature, is where I find the authentic me.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird

 

The man, with the red dog

The road was empty.  I let my thoughts drift.  This feeling of solitude found in long distance driving, is something I really enjoy.  This time I took a side road off the main highway, one turn off too early.  It got me to my destination but via a small hamlet I only knew by signage.

I had left home early morning.  Too early for breakfast.  I craved a decent cup of coffee.  I slowed down and coasted into one of those ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ main streets.  A light breeze lifted the faded rainbow plastic strips from the only open doorway I could see, and waved me in.  Indoors, there were a few chairs and tables, newspaper and magazines, groceries, a typical ‘only shop in town’.

We pulled up to the doorway together, crunching gravel under the wheels, me in my city sedan, he in a dusty ute.  The streets are empty.  I’m aware I’m alone.  I have no idea what or who is inside the shop.  So I bide my time.  He whistles, and the red dog jumps off the tray.  The dog knows this routine well.  His owner bends down at the tap jutting off the side of the building and lets some water gush into a plastic ice cream container.  His actions speak louder than words.  He straightens up and sees me unwind my coiled self from the car.  A flick of his thumb and index finger moves his hat imperceptibly further back and a gruff “g’day!” is enough to make a stranger feel welcomed.  I part the plastic strips and walk in, he does the same after giving the ruddy coat of his slurping mate a vigorous rub.

I sit at the table furthest away from the counter.  The choice is one of three and the difference I gained in privacy, was barely a few feet.  My coffee arrives.  There is no barista in this town.  It’s instant coffee or nothing.  I compromise.  My body is craving it.  He sits at the other table.  He’s been working in the sun, so he downs a Gatorade.  He and the owner are talking harvest.  The talk between them flowing with ease.  My break over, I gather my laptop and belongings.  I hear a rumble.  It comes slowly from the tip of his boots, travels the length of his lean frame until his body releases it with a low growl that surprises all three of us.  He thumps his chest and says, “pardon me” to no one in particular.  And, in the silence that follows, both men look at and to me, for the next move.  I default to city me.  I feign busy and pack my things away.  I’m polite in my farewell, our eyes meeting long enough for him to see my smile in them.  His look of surprise dissolves into furrows, and among them, I find his.

Dusty ute, red dog.  What’s not to love?  I knew instinctively.  I would memorialize the meeting in words one day.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird