How do you finish a story that feels so unfinished?

This is the question I just asked myself.

The basis of the story is my parents. I wanted to have a grand trip across a country on foot, they loved Spain so I choose there. During this I hoped to raise some money for Cancer research. All pretty decent reasons.

I was a traveler of sorts for pretty much all of my 20’s so it didn’t seem to much of a stretch to take 8-10 weeks out of my life in the UK. No matter that I was about to turn 40, it’s funny what shapes you and therefore stays with you.

Now I see that I was under-prepared, my ego carried me for the first part and then I just clung on and soaked up all the help I could get, unashamedly.

It’s been a month since I had to abruptly holt the North to South Spain trip with only 3 days till the end.

I was a prize plum (kindest word I could use) and dropped my phone in a pool.

There are loose ends and I need to make amends somehow. The phone was just a tool but a necessary one. Lesson learned.

Maybe then the trip was just a prelude to something else. It could be that was the first chapter even.

Since finishing I’ve been consumed with getting things ready for the sale of a property I inherited with my brother when our parents passed. This was also one of the aims of the venture of mine, to sell this place.

The residing feeling I got from the journey is that people are inherently kind, a smile goes a very long way when language is a barrier.

The beauty of Spain stays with me as do the people I met.

Do not take your phone in a pool…and have insurance.

One of the last photos of me being a ‘prize plum’

 

Ups and downs.

The struggles. Highs and lows. Too many, emotionally and physically.

Some days I’ve felt wrecked before I’ve even started, wanting to stay in one place and let the day pass me by.

Whereas others I’ve felt so alive, I see the days adventure spreading out before me and I want to go at full speed.

There is often no rhyme or reason to these feelings and sometimes there is.

The literal ups and downs provide the physical challenge, some ups my body has relished some most definitely not and the same for the downs.

I get quite confused at how some days all is well and others not.

This morning for example I was a mess. I wanted to stay wrapped up in the duvet after treating myself to a rest day the day before.

I cried as I left the village. And then as the day went on I found solace again.

It could be the struggle between knowing I’m safe and not knowing where or what was going to happen.

That unknown has made me halt so many times. I used to think I craved that, now I question ‘do I really?’

The answer is both. A little bit of each. Enough to feel free and enough to feel safe. I just haven’t figured out how far I can go to get that perfect mix.

This route is challenging, I am going too slow to know whether I’ll be able to finish my original plan.

I’m behind by 150 miles, this is playing on my mind alot.

I need to decide on what’s best for me and for what I intended to do.

Which is a journey in my parents memory and to raise money for Cancer Research.

Does down grading distance covered become a failure or does it show an understanding of what is good for me now?

These are of course but a few thoughts thus far but ones I must address soon.

The highs have been many.

Each place I pass I now have happy memories of.

That’s down to people and the environment.

I have been met with wary eyes that are soon followed by welcoming smiles.

Sometimes the land I walk on feels like it’s doing the same.

Eyeing me up then just when I’m about to turn my back it opens up to stunning vistas and breathtaking beauty.

I am happy when I can stop to appreciate the small things I see. It is tricky when time is not on my side but I am trying.

I guess that’s all one can do really, try.

Back to it.

In 4 weeks time I will fly out to Barcelona and (re) start the North to South Spain trip.

To say that I am nervous would be an understatement, I am also a bit ill at the moment which is rather reminiscent of how I started it in December 2016.

Though the Tooth saga is still ongoing I am crossing my fingers that nothing major will happen during this trip this time.

Basically I am starting with a ( false) sense of bravado coupled with nervousness and the feeling of why wait any longer life is too short. It’s a heady mix, not helped by the cough medicine I am currently taking.

I have chosen to start on the border of Andorra at a small town of La Seu D’Urgell rather than the GR2/GR5 which I did before. The route follows the GR7 which later joins up with the E4 (European 4) route. Approximately 1,700kms. The last 50km will take a route from Jayena through the Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama over to Competa to end up on the Torrox Costa.

This all sounds rather easy yet I am pretty certain it won’t be. For those who wonder why I say why not. The other reason is for Cancer Research a massive thank-you to those who already donated from my previous attempt, it’s nice not to start from £0.

Here’s a link to the route GR7/E4 if you’re interested via Traildino Spain

This description is the opposite direction to which I am doing it, plus I shall not be going as far as Tarifa…maybe…it could happen but it’s not in the plan. Plans change.

The end point is El Morche where I shall end up in the apartment my parents left to my brother and I. It’s not the nice white apartment block it’s the one to the left of it (right as you look at picture).

 

Plans formulating – again

A little update.

I’ve still not had my tooth replaced…just too darn expensive. My kind friends say I look fine, I still get a shock however whenever I catch see myself in a mirror or a picture smiling.

That all said it may well be that I shall re-start the trip sans new tooth simply because I just can’t see the point right now. It’s priority has lessened.

The flight is booked back to Barcelona for the end of April, the weather will be kinder and the places more hospitable with shops actually being open.

Instead of starting where I finished, in Montserrat, I have decided to actually get to the E4 and use the GR7 route that runs from the border of Andorra/Spain. The route I’ve chosen starts right by the Runer River.

I’d wanted to do this originally but December wasn’t the right time of year hence why I started on the GR2 and did some of GR5 back then.

The plans are coming along despite the funds being, well lacking, I am a bit worried about this and part of me has thought why not just work through spring and summer then head off in September, it’ll still be nice then still.

As I am currently on borrowed hospitality I feel that I shouldn’t be pushing my luck with it….this attitude may change I just find it hard to rely on others for extended periods.

So the plan so far is to start in April, journeying through Spain in May and finishing at the very beginning of June in El Morche.

That’s the plan.

This is the little bit of the start from Andorra/Spain border

bit of the start

 

 

Places I (hope) to pass through in Spain

So next Wednesday I fly to Barcelona.
After stocking up with supplies I’ll hop on a bus to near the Spanish border and start my journey through Spain running (often known as fast walking for me).
I’m taking it easy for the first week (injury and illness set back my training) then crossing my fingers I’ll suddenly become some amazing athlete….failing that I’m just going to have an amazing time passing through amazing places with the aim of raising money (£1 per mile would be a bonus) for Cancer Research.
Here’s a list of where I’ll be passing through if you’re interested.

Places I pass through in Spain
If you know of anyone who lives somewhere near to these places then I’d love to meet them…maybe they can join me for a few miles or provide a place to stay, that’d be even acer.
And yes I am nervous  Doing it for a good cause though (see link to donate)
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Gabrielleruns

 

Also can be found via Spot Tracker either search for Gabrielle – North to South of Spain or click this link for (hopefully) live tracking.

Spot Tracker. Gabrielle – North to South of Spain

The idea forms

So Decembers plans are coming along….out of the 3 three routes I’d been considering it seems the one I thought wouldn’t be that suitable/nice probably is.

The GR7 which forms part of the E4, (6,490+ mile route which weirdly appeals to me) has come up trumps.

My intended route is from La Jonquera, starting on the GR2, north of Girona.

I decided here as though the GR 7 passes through Andorra, I would prefer to start at a lower level.

Then onto part of GR5 and GR172 and onto GR 7 towards El Morche, east of Malaga, this is where the place that my parents left to my brother Alex and I is.

Once I get to the Sierra Nevadas I head on the south part of the G7 before coming out at Arenas del Ray to cross the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama.

It’s around 1100 miles (I expect to get lost a bit).

Aim is for 30km up to 50km a day, giving myself 8 weeks to do it.

With blind faith and bravado I am sure that I will be fine.

Alot of reasons for wanting to do this, lets just say for now that it’s much needed.

I’ll be having Christmas somewhere in the region of Murcia – ace 🙂

Lots more to plan of course in the meantime.

This is my sponsorship page for Cancer Research, every bit helps, trust me.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Gabrielleruns