Settled ...

More or less settled in Stanhope, though dreaming reality is taking a while to catch up, spending quite  a lot of time walking in Spain, on the boat and so on ... possibly a result of the too swift return, albeit without airborne assistance ... the usual questions "when are you off again" and "where next" are met with the usual response ...

Dark nights and short days affect the rhythm, regular morning walks continue, rain or not, though organism treats an hour or so before breakfast as a brief interlude in a fairly sedentary week ... appreciated by feet especially ... meanwhile common cold squeezes past the immune system leaving a persistent cough lingering ... normal November phenomenon and organism only mildly put out ... two ignored emails from local surgery offering vaccination against flu yet to be discerned as wise or not, maybe just another run out for immune system, generally supported with fresh air, sunshine, decent diet and exercise ... and a question around whether the drugs undermine the immune system by telling it not to bother ... none of this speculation set out as advice for others, just an instinct the consequences of which will be accepted ... as with premature screening for cancers ...

A brief review of kit on Camino suggests pack could be lighter with one t-shirt and the spare trousers less, the metal water bottle excessive ... otherwise Deuter performed well enough, though lost his rain cover in Bodenaya ... some pilgrims suggested trail runners for the Way, though trusty Scarpas generally serve, except in very wet weather ...

New routes to explore include the San Salvador from Leon to Oviedo ... though increasing popularity of other routes makes them less appealing ... maybe time to try other countries?

Identification with the various roles in daily dramas scrutinised. .. emotional investment in them serving to confirm them as aspects of a real and substantial self ... desperately hanging on to redundant roles perhaps rather like the caterpillar in chrysalis form resisting its destiny and longing to be back munching cabbage leaves ... an apt example since the return from summer work party found optimistically planted winter greens stripped to the stalks ...

Tomorrow, a trip to the cinema with the elders ...