Spring in the Garden!

Still in a holding pattern here, with not much time left over for blogging, but I did get out in the garden the other day with my camera.

So while I move on to the last stack of exams to mark, and then follow that up with some higher-level math (yeah, right!) to collate and compute grades, I can give you some pretty-pretties of my beloved Rhodo, Temple Belle. . .

By the way, we recently viewed The Way with Martin Sheen and his son Emilio Estevez (who wrote and directed it). Both Pater and I thoroughly enjoyed this film which follows a father along the Spanish portion of the Camino de Santiago. Now we’re thinking the walk might have to find its way into our lives, sometime in the next two or three years. . .Have any of you made the pilgrimage? Or walked part of it? Or have you seen the film?

Meanwhile, we’re only a little more than a month away from our departure date, and beginning to get excited about Paris, Barcelona, Bordeaux. . . . Anticipation . . . Sing it, Carly!

20 Comments

  1. Northmoon
    25 April 2013 / 4:07 pm

    I've heard of the Camino de Santiago and even met one person who's walked it. It sounds like an amazing experience, it's on my list of interesting possibilities.

    • materfamilias
      27 April 2013 / 5:30 pm

      You'll have to see The Way — it might whet your appetite!

  2. Madame Là-bas
    25 April 2013 / 4:32 pm

    Last year, my friend and I walked the last part of the camino from Astorga to Santiago de Compostella. We did the walk with a British company Walks in Spain. They transported our bags, arranged accommodation and meals. The van was available for those who were too tired to continue. We did it in June because it's not too hot. Yesterday, I was talking to my French prof, Mildred. Her sister did part of the camino with her husband. They did it independently and were quite comfortable.
    I know another couple in Canada who are walking alone but their accommodation and maps are organized through a company. There are lots of possibilities and the scenery in Galicia where I walked was beautiful.

    • materfamilias
      27 April 2013 / 5:33 pm

      That's a smart way to experience part of the Camino. We crossed it, many years ago, when we did a Grande Randonnée in the Haute Loire/Auvergne. . . and even there it got quite hot, in late June/early July. I'd love to do the French section, and the Spanish, in at least two different trips. Some day . . .

  3. Pondside
    25 April 2013 / 4:37 pm

    The Camino is something that my daughter's mother-in-law and I have considered doing. It's still in the discussion stage.
    My garden needs some serious attention, tho' after a few days in Edmonton I returned to find it not as ragged as I'd imagined (in comparison to the frozen wasteland!)
    I'm heading up your way for work and overnight – it's a gorgeous day for a drive over the Malahat.

    • materfamilias
      27 April 2013 / 5:34 pm

      I bet you enjoyed that drive — we did it earlier in the week and were reminded of how very lucky we are. Still, I sometimes yearn for other landscapes as well and the Camino would be one of them. . . .Have fun in the garden this weekend, although it looks as if it might be rainy, muddy fun. . .

  4. Lorrie
    25 April 2013 / 6:54 pm

    Beautiful rhodos. Isn't this weather glorious?

    After viewing The Way my husband scurried to a map of Spain. There are so many different routes, some more rugged than others. We have tossed around the idea of walking part of the Camino. A young pair of siblings (friends of our children) walked the trail one summer and found it amazing.

    • materfamilias
      27 April 2013 / 5:36 pm

      Yes, the film makes you do that, right? You probably speak Spanish after your years in Latin America, and you enjoy walking, each other's company, and you have a huge appreciation for, apprehension of, the spiritual. . . Go for it! 😉

  5. Patricia
    26 April 2013 / 1:37 am

    Hi Mater, I have heard of the film and would love to see it. I've made a note of the company that Madame La-bas mentioned above – I think it's something that we would enjoy too. PS Flower photos are very welcome – we had snow again yesterday!

    • materfamilias
      27 April 2013 / 5:37 pm

      Wouldn't it be great to combine the walking with a bit of comfort in the form of a van . . . we did a 20-25kilometre-per-day route 20 years ago, carrying 25+ pound packs, and I'm not sure I'm still up to that! (sorry about your snow; hope it melts quickly)

  6. Tiffany
    26 April 2013 / 3:26 am

    My brother walked the Camino a few years ago and loved it (but got very bored of the food along the way!). It's something we'd love to do one day in the distant future when we've finished paying school fees and mortgages 🙂

    • materfamilias
      27 April 2013 / 5:38 pm

      I'm curious about the food boredom — much basic/peasant stuff? Good as they are, I suppose bread and cheese and sausages and wine could get tiresome after a few weeks.

    • Tiffany
      28 April 2013 / 4:28 am

      I think it was the endless tortilla – just plain old egg and potato – that wore him down. He said he really craved green stuff by the end of it!

  7. Anonymous
    26 April 2013 / 12:54 pm

    I loved the movie, and the story behind its making. I'm going to have to watch it again.

    I've been fascinated with the Camino since I was a kid (with a father who's a medieval historian by training, not suprising), but haven't yet walked it, despite its being in my back yard. I have friends who have done various bits, and am planning on doing the same at some point soon. If you do decide to go, aim for May/June or Sept/Oct, as the summer is just too hot to contemplate!

    • materfamilias
      27 April 2013 / 5:39 pm

      Yes, I'm thinking of the early fall — if you ever decide to do a section, I do hope you blog about it!

  8. Anonymous
    26 April 2013 / 7:55 pm

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  9. Duchesse
    26 April 2013 / 10:48 pm

    I'll see the film, based on your recommendation. If ever a vacation was undertaken to restore, this will be one, for you.

    • materfamilias
      27 April 2013 / 5:40 pm

      I think you'll enjoy the film, and it's on Netflix. I've always liked Martin Sheen, and it's nice to see him working with his son, who appears in fleeting moments as well as directing.

    • Patricia
      27 April 2013 / 5:49 pm

      Mater – I believe that Emilio's son also had something to do with the film, he lives in Spain I think.

  10. Mardel
    28 April 2013 / 9:15 pm

    Several friends have mentioned The Way to me lately although I have yet to see it. Years ago, when G and I traveled in that part of Spain, we were there during a time of pilgrimage and we saw many people on that path. We drove and I sat knitting while G spent hours setting up his camera, watching the light and taking pictures. Since then I have thought I should some day walk part of the Camino. Perhaps it will happen.

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