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Celebrating the Joy of Living & Home Making ~

Baking, Cooking, Decorating, Tea Time, and taking Inspiration from those I love and the world around me...

A sharing of my heart and my home from a Christian perspective

...with a wee bit of whimsy added.

Thursday 17 May 2012

Some Folks Just Amaze Me!

Hello everyone.... Some of us have the most extraordinary families, mine included, but sometimes, certain members of our families just amaze us!

Take for instance my Uncle Allan and Aunt Judy. I wrote about them a while back. They are a couple of love birds who went together in their teens, broke up, married other people, then after forty years got back together again. They are so thankful to get a second chance! You can read about their love story here.

This is their wedding picture taken at a seaside resort in  California. Aren't they a handsome couple?



So what makes this couple so extraordinary? Well, they are making up for lost time; traveling the world and just enjoying being together. They are loving life and squeezing every bit of joy they can from it!




Over the past year, they have been hiking trails and gearing up for their adventure in Spain. Part of the year was spent at their home in New Brunswick, Canada, hiking the mountains and trails and the other half was spent at their home in Florida where they live during the winter months. Their hiking continued while down south.


And they are at this very moment, walking the infamous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage also known as The Way of St. James which begins in St Jean de Port in France and finishes in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, about 780 km. long. Legend has it that St. James is buried in the cathedral there.


The Camino de Santiago - The French Way / Camino Frances is the most traditional of all the pilgrims’ ways to Santiago and the best known internationally. The route, which was established in the late 11th century, crosses the North of the Iberian Peninsula, through the Basque Country, Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y Leon and Galicia regions of Spain.
Starting in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, at the foothills of the French Pyrenees, the French Way runs through Northern Spain, from East to West, all the way to Santiago de Compostela, in the Northwestern corner of the country.


They have already walked a fair distance and as of right now, they have walked 330 km. which is more than a third of the way. Here they are ready for the challenge.


This is Basque countryside. Isn't it beautiful?



This is Aunt J coming down The Hill of Forgiveness. She has had some trouble with blisters on her feet but she's a real trooper.



Poppies at Puente del Reina



UPDATES:

May 22 Update: They are now at the half way point in Albergue
Los Templarios. They have walked 395 km and Aunt Judy's left leg is bothering her. Hopefully a day of rest will help!

June 10 Update: They have reached a Eucalyptus forest and taking refuge from the rain in this photo. They are not far from Santiago now. They figure they will be there tomorrow.





June 11: They made it! 


The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.


It is an understatement to say that these two people are very adventurous and young at heart!


This is a map of the French Way which they followed.



They are now just taking it easy after walking over 800 kilometers. They are resting up and enjoying the beautiful scenery such as the lighthouse at Muxia, Spain.




Uncle A who is my mother's baby brother, is six months younger than my favourite former Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney, and is the epitome of McCartney's song,  "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive." Whenever I hear this song, I cannot help but think of my uncle.

So, here's to you, Uncle A and Aunt J! My hat is off to you both; you're amazing! God be with you on this incredible journey!


NOTE: All photos are courtesy of my uncle.
Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

26 comments :

  1. What a wonderful couple and yes, they also share a lovely love life! They were meant to be together in this time in their lives..more perfect it couldn't be! They say that things always happen for a reason and you can see they're so happy and thrilled to be together and share an adventurous and loving life. I love El Camino de Santiago! They are a great looking couple..you look like your aunt, very pretty! Thanks for sharing.
    FABBY

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  2. What a fantastic story.. in love at 14 then meet up again after all those years.. i would call that true love..
    They are very courageous to walk the whole of "The Way".. I walked just a few hours ..although i didnt go to Santiago for the walk.. I went to see the Cathedral and the city..
    One can see the remains of St. James. Its a magnificent cathedral and the area up north is so beautiful. We drove from Lisbon..
    We have a route that begins here in Portugal too. Some even follow the map from Fatima and then join up with the pilgrims..
    Dear Helen .. http;//helentilstonpainterblog.com wrote a lovely story also about El camino..
    I wish your aunt and uncle a happy time in Spain.. and yes Sandi.. they look very very happy.
    Thanks for sharing this lovely love story.
    val

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  3. WOW! Love the photos and what a sweet love story! Thanks for sharing this. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  4. Wow! They seem to be filled with the joy of life! I'd love to walk the Camino someday! DH and I saw a tv show about it a month or so ago, and we both thought it would be really amazing to try.

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  5. Thanks so much for sharing this. My son and hubby and I had just watched the movie called, THE WAY which is about this treck and some people on it. I wondered about the blisters---I could not do it!! Well, perhaps if someone carried my backpack!!

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  6. Hi Sandi,
    Walking all the way from the centre of Portugal to Santiago is also in my plans... for some day later on ;)
    So far, I've just made the trip by car or by bus, but it's certainly worthwhile! The Cathedral is fabulous and the city a very beautiful, welcoming and old Spanish city!
    I loved seeing your aunt and uncle's photographs and reading about their inspiring love story.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs

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  7. Your aunt and uncle are FABULOUS! I remember you writing about them before. It's a great blessing they have a second chance and looks like they are making the best at it!! It is wonderful that they get to travel to all these wonderful places. What an amazing journey for this great couple.
    Thanks for sharing their beautiful love life!
    Hugs,
    Brenda

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  8. Thanks Sandi for sharing this story of your aunt and uncle, they certainly are amazing! I enjoyed looking at the photos.

    Sylvia @agrandmasblessings

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  9. Oh my gosh...wonderful couple indeed. What a blessing they found each other again.

    Thank you for sharing...sweet story!

    xoRebecca

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  10. This is a wonderful love story Sandi. I can't imagine walking that far and I think it's wonderful that they can and are enjoying their new life together. The photos are beautiful. Imagine all the wonderful scenery they'll see in this journey. Incredible!

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  11. This is amazing, what a great journey.

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  12. Sandi: What a beautiful couple and how wonderful that they are able to do this. Hope they keep it up for many years to come..Thanks for sharing a part of your family..Happy Thursday..Judy

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  13. Sandi: As usual you did a great honor to Allan and Judy. I couldn't open those pictures I received from him. I was able to save your's though. Poor Judy her feet have suffered........Love Aunt P

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  14. Sandi: As usual you did a great honor to Allan and Judy. I couldn't open those pictures I received from him. I was able to save your's though. Poor Judy her feet have suffered........Love Aunt P

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  15. Such a sweet story. Best of luck to them. Deb

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  16. That is a beautiful story, we have a friend who did that journey three years ago and going on another part of it this August again, just doing 100km.though. Do you know what we need on blogs-a Like key, so often I want to click it over something you say or write. What a great story.

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  17. This is a great post. Love story, adventure, travel; it has it all. Thanks for sharing this sweet tale.

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  18. What a beautiful love story. Thank you for sharing, they look so happy. Gorgeous photos. hugs, Jen.

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  19. OMG Sandi! My niece is getting ready to do that same walk, with her friend! How amazing. Your aunt and uncle know how to get the most out of life. God bless their hearts! Susan

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  20. Thet certainly are amazing. All the very best to them both,on their journey. :)

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  21. what a great tribute to a your uncle and aunt. Wow and after so long they hooked up again. That's amazing. And I love what you said about them squeezing every bit of life out together now.

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  22. It looks like they are having a wonderful time, Sandi!
    They must be fit and healthy to be able to do the pilgrim walk.
    What a blessing it will be for them!
    love..Trish

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  23. Wow, what a wonderful post. I am all for a good love story....and in their case, a great adventure! Diane

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  24. Hi Sandi, They are living life to the max! I admire that, and how great it is to stay in good shape so you can do things like this. Beautiful!

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  25. What a beautiful and remarkable love story! How wonderful they found each other again and are able to share such fantastic adventures together. Thank you for sharing this inspiring post. I look forward to hearing more about their wonderful trip.
    I hope you have a lovely weekend.

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  26. Thank you, sweet niece. You do us a great honour with your comments and insights. We'll do our best to live up to your opinion of us. We love you ... Uncle Allan

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I am delighted to have you visit me and I read every comment. Please forgive me for not being able to visit you all as there are so many of you lovely bloggy friends now. I will visit as much as possible. I wish you a day filled with JOY!

Also, due to the amount of spam I've been getting, I have had to set Comment Moderation. ~ Sandi

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