The last two days we have being staying at a beautiful little historic town called Lauf an der Pegnitz just a few kilometres East of Nuremberg, on the Pegnitz river. The history of the town goes back to the 11th century and the architecture reflects that history. While Hubby and I were looking at the map, he made the observation that we have passed within a few kilometres of this town multiple times over the years and we never knew of its existence.
I love road tripping by car or camper and getting to cover longer distances and seeing beautiful scenery along our route. For those who know me personally, you know my happy place is on my bike exploring out in nature, but even at cycling pace I’m less inclined to stop and savour on a micro-level. I have to admit that there is nothing quite like exploring on foot to really get up close and personal with a place.
When you slow down to walking pace you get to observe the little things, the art in nature, the tiny critters, you hear birdsong and have time to smell the roses. When you walk you get to stop to watch a colony of power walking ants as they cross the path, admire when a freshly cut pile of logs makes a beautiful pattern, see and hear the the bees working their way from flower to flower or detour from your route when an exploration of a side alley in a town leads to a hidden courtyard or park.
The early weeks of van life have been a bit more hectic than I thought they would be. This has just been the way it has worked out. I am hoping that as we get further into this travel lifestyle we will get to slow down even further. Ideally we would like to travel to an area, set up in a camping place and spend a week or two and explore and get to know a place at a slower pace, next week we are taking steps to that end as we base Tigín in an area for over a week, in the meantime we get to explore the hidden gems we stumble across as we plan our route cross country.
Amazing photos! Happy Easter to you both xx
Thanks so much, and a Happy Easter to you too Vanessa.
Beautiful Reflection and Reminder. The photos were clearly taken by someone who knows how to find “infinity in a grain of sand”. Happy Easter
Thanks Tim and a happy Easter to you too
Loving the blog and agree about the walking, I love walking in nature.
I miss our walks Anne and sorting out the world as we go!
This is ironic, I was just talking at work about how slowing down is now an intentional practice and skill that we have to find in our lives. It always has been, really, but even more so now. And lovely to reap the benefits of you two slowing down through your reflective writing and the everyday awe of your beautiful photos! I’m reminded of that picture of the dog framed in the window on one of your Compestela walks—one of my favorites!
I know Rob, like so many things that were once part of the human condition we now have to schedule them into our busy schedules. I thought after the pandemic people would have embraced the beauty of a slower pace but instead we seem hell bent on making up for lost time.
Here is a link to that photo for old time sake, it is one of my favourites too:
Dog in the Window
Beautifully written Catherine. I feel like I am right there with you smelling the rose. Love the second paragraph about s l o w i n g down!
Glad you are along for the adventure Rasheeda, if only virtually. It is more and more difficult to slow down in a world that seems to be trying to make up for lost time after the pandemic. I’m just enjoying getting out for some slow time in nature every day.
The click of ‘Hubby and the Cow’ is wonderful! Cant stop laughing!
Thanks again for taking the time to share.
Thanks Elaine, I’m enjoying being back writing again. I took that photo when we were the ultimate long slow walk a few years ago on the Camino de Santiago. I always wonder how that conversation might have gone.