Reims (Wednesday 10th July) to Bucey Le GY (Sunday 28th July)
Departed Swinford Saturday 15th June
Commenced walking from Canterbury. Sunday 16th June
Today Sunday 28th July Bucey – Les- Gy
Distance Walked 818.05 Kilometres
I have really struggled to write this blog post. Cannot put my finger on why but for some reason every time I have planned to do it, I have put it off. I have been meaning to do it since this day last week last Sunday but just kept putting it off and in a way then I suppose it just became a bigger chore in my head then it needed to be. So here is just a bit of a recollection of my last few weeks since Reims and a few rambling thoughts that do stick in the head along the way. as I have continued on my journey through the countryside of France on the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome.
I hope you enjoy the read.
The biggest thing I take inspiration from as I undertake this charity walk are the 2 charities I am fundraising and creating awareness for.
Mayo Parkinson’s Association
And
Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin
As I have talked about before I have my own personal reasons for taking on this challenge for these 2 charities but it is the messages and stories I regularly receive about the work and support that these charities are continuously offering to people and families that need them.
I have often referred to this parallel world that I feel is in existence to the one we live in.
The world where people of all ages, children and adults are battling day in day out with health issues. The impact this has on every aspect of their lives and those of their families and friends. That is the real. Battle of life that is going on daily and that is why I am in huge awe of the 2 charities for the work the do and they support and care they offer.
I have received calls and messages from home from people sharing their stories with me and I am blessed that they do so with me and every single day I draw on this to keep me going forward as I tick off the stages on this journey.
I realise how lucky I am to be able to do this and I find that every day I am developing my sense of gratitude for my life and the family and friends I have behind me that allows me to take off for 4 months walking across Europe. To be able to physically do this is a blessing and to be able to mentally do it is one that I continue to develop daily.
As I said without the backing of family and friends this would be impossible.
Antone that knows me knows that I love to talk and my chats with family and friends back home and all over are a huge source of comfort and help to me.
As I mentioned to David from The Mayo News when he interviewed me last week it never ceases to amaze me that when I really need it a call and or message will come and the chat and few words will drive me on.
Keep Going is the constant message I am getting and that is my morning mantra as I take on the challenge each day sets me with.
https://www.mayonews.ie/news/local-news/1558028/mayo-man-on-charity-walk-to-rome-says-it-s-a-humbling-experience.html
This time alone walking across the very very quiet region of North East France has really made me realise the importance of human interaction whether it be in person, over a phone, in a message. It is a huge part of our well being and I would encourage everyone to embrace it as much as you can. Reach out and have a chat, swap a few words with someone. I reckon you will never regret having done so
My last blog post was posted up when I took a rest day in the beautiful city of Reims. As I alluded to in that post the break in Reims really did my spirit wonders and I have really being very much in a positive frame of mind since I departed that lovely city. I think it was just feeding off the spirit of people around me.
There still have been more quiet villages and towns mostly along the route but there has also been a noticeable increase in engagement from locals regarding walkers on the VF. I have probably stayed in more family houses over the last few weeks then I had done so prior to that and that has really benefitted my mindset. Mixing and interacting withb these host families is a wonderful experience.
Sitting in the evening with other people even if conversation is stifled due to language barriers is a lovely experience and one that has benefitted me enormously.
This coming week sees me enter the last week for a while that I will be on my own. I am absolutely blown away by the amount of friends that are planning on coming over to join me on this journey for a few days at a time. I cannot wait to share this experience with these friends
I definitely feel that since I have stopped trying to force things on the walk and just taken it day by day I have started to enjoy the experience more and as such my mindset has improved enormously. As I have regularly mentioned in my daily social media post I am embracing the mindset of I get to . This mindset shift is really helping me on a daiy basis as I complete this challenge.
I Get to improve my health and strengthen my body
I Get to nourish my body with good food (Sometimes!!!!!)
I Get to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature
I Get to focus on feeling better and more energetic
I get to enjoy chats with family and friends
I Get to Build lasting memories
I Get to create awareness and fundraise for 2 wonderful and hardworking charities
I Get to spend quality time working on me
I Get to escape into another world and gain new insights
HOW LUCKY AM I!!!!!
Side note, this date 2 years ago the 28th July was my first full day after selling the Gateway Hotel in Swinford. How different is my life now that I am this blessed and lucky that I Get to do all these new experiences and adventures
The last few weeks has also seen me reach a lot of mile stones on this journey that really gave me a great buzz
Thursday 11th July I passed the 500KM mark
Sunday 14th I passed the quarter mark
Money 22 July was my Camino milestone in that it had been the same amount of days on the VF that I had spent on the Camino Frances
It did surprise me in a way how much I drew from these milestones but It’s great that I get to celebrate them
(See what I did there!!!!!)
The support from home is massive and the donations continue to come into my fundraiser on a near daily basis which is so very much appreciated my not just me but also the 2 charities.
I was absolutely delighted when Swinford Athletics club contacted me to say that they would be donating all the proceeds from their Siamsa Fun Run/Walk to my fundraiser.
An incredibly generous gesture.
The Swinford A.C Fun Run/Walk is for all the family and will take place on Wednesday 7th August. Registration is at Swinford Amenity park at 6pm. Please support if you can
Check out the Swinford A.C Facebook and Insta pages for more details.
The upcoming Siamsa Sraide festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary. What a wonderful achievement. It is a committee I am very proud to be involved with.
Best wishes to Brid, Brendan and all the committee.
The amount of work Brendan Cassidy does in the back ground to ensure the safe running of this fantastic annual event can never be underestimated. We are all very grateful to him for his wonderful contribution to our community.
www.siamsasraide.ie
I hope everyone has a great time at our upcoming Siamsa 40th Festival fro Fri 2nd to Wed 7th
I am just back in the door to finish this blog post after experiencing a wonderful Sunday evening meal with the family I am staying with tonight. Sitting around enjoying lovely food, wine and company while not having a clue what we are saying to each other.
What a wonderful experience and more memories in the bank
Right well that’s the end of my ramblings, I hope you enjoyed reading this post and if you want to read more about my charity walk, please check out the other sections on this website.
www.kellyswalk2rome.ie and my very regular daily updates on my social media channels.
Right, I am off to ed, I have more memories to create tomorrow.
Take Care and thanks for all your love and support..
Cathal
Bruce-Les-Gy
Sunday 28th July 2024