Slowly, Thoughtfully, Gratefully

Day 16: Clay Bank to Blakey Ridge (9 miles, gentle ascent followed by easy moor walking mostly across disused rail path) 

Over these three days across the moors, our walking routes are shorter than earlier on the C2C.  

Old Boundary Stone

We find we're traveling even our longer mileage days much more quickly through the gentler terrain.  And given our rhythm of B&B overnights, we are keenly aware of how much our hosts have to accomplish between our post-breakfast departure and when they must be ready to welcome the next night's guests.  Had we realized this outcome before setting out, I suspect we would have revised our schedule to add mileage to these last few days (and shorten our overall itinerary).  And I'm glad we didn't know or adjust our walking plan.  I think we're both finding the challenge to slow our pace and counter an early arrival to our next lodging a valuable presence exercise. The practice of not leaning forward into our next landing creates in each day an opportunity to be fully present in the moment.  While going hard and fast creates its own fully-present experience -- so can this deliberate slowing. Today we chose to slow our morning departure from West Cote B&B at Chop Gate and in turn enjoyed a lively lesson on the history and production of English cheeses from our hostess, Judy.  Her depth of knowledge and passion excited our conversation for miles along the path. And it made me reflect on purpose and legacy . . .

What a gift slowing can be.

Slow down and enjoy life.  It is not only the scenery you miss by going fast -- you also miss the sense of where you are going and why. ~ Eddie Cantor