Plums ...

Having mostly segregated from females for most of the week, integration is achieved by busing Upper Hamlet chaps and Lower Hamlet women to New Hamlet, where it is women and couples ... and the eponymous plum trees ...

A wonderful Dharma Talk from Thay, recorded in 2012, very deep and modern ... all to be found on You Tube ... Thay himself is recovering from his stroke of two years ago ...

Informative chats with Frank, from Germany living in Switzerland ... David from Sweden, just starting the 5 year programme of ordination, after which he plans to disrobe and rejoin the world, hopefully fully enlightened ....Francois from Nantes, retired psychotherapist, also on the path to ordination, though it is life for him ... Eric from Germany via the US military, with his perspective on the demolition of the Twin Towers (a political discussion polarizing rather than transcending duality).. and a reunion with the beautiful young folks first encountered at St Foy la Grande waiting for the bus to the various sites of Plum Village ... Sara, from Faro, of Italian parents, living in London and Sacha from London via Russia ... both resonating with the intentional community in Portugal plan ...

Connection with single women not sought or found ... celibacy still the route, though not necessarily as a precept ... just to embrace the way things are ... the Universe provides what is needed day by day ... tomorrow maybe train and bus to Hendaye since accommodation along the walking route to the Pyrennees looks very expensive ...

Some unexpected information about folks occasionally aspiring to the Path of Interbeing, agreeing to the precepts and generally expected behaviour, and relapsing into old habits ... soon moved on and another issue in the delicate art of community building ...

The week draws to a close ... some already departed, some leaving in the morning, some staying another week, others longer ... a relaxed supper, talking allowed, with Andrew, on angels, travelling, life in general. .. tomorrow to Hendaye ... maybe