I spent a good amount of time this morning trying to determine if I have the time and money to go to Japan for six weeks and walk around the island of Shikoku. I don’t. I just found a cheap flight to Osaka, but there will be another time that is better. I kinda need to get out of the old groove, but I will be served much better in that regard if I work on the flat rather than sod off to a cherry blossom pilgrimage.
Instead I tried to go through some boxes and make a bit more sense of things here, I played with Boy for a bit, and probably spent too much time reading in bed in the morning before I decided to get up. I didn’t eat until evening when Brian made pasta, and despite a very quiet day I’m feeling absolutely shattered. So I’m running a bath. Old patterns. Frank popped in to get his skateboard, and I fear that his new living situation is not helping him feel good about himself. It was great to see him but I could sense that he didn’t want to go back home away from Boy and the peace of this place. Boy bonded to him when he was here for his long stay.
I do very much want to do the 88 temple trail on Shikoku. Another pilgrim route with infrastructure, this one being Buddhism. It’s not the exact Buddhism I officially practice, but faith is a choice thing and I’ve never been one for schisms. It’s an excuse to be in body with a simple physical task every day for a while, and to do so in a place of contemplation and spirituality. I thought it made more sense than another Camino. I’m looking for a shift right now. I might need to just sit under a tree for eternity.
I’m whacked out in London. Even the few days I spend in Brighton etc I find myself feeling more vital, more alive. Still, all will be well. Gonna get in the bath. I feel a bit tired and a bit sad at the moment. The tendrils of winter.
AlBarclay 