The big

The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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What is it about the simple act of placing one foot in front of the other and propelling oneself forward that brings solace, a sense of peace and contentment?

Is it the act of walking or is it where one is walking that does so? Do the surroundings matter, is it the fresh air, a change of scenery or location? I don't know the answer however today I felt the need to walk and so I made it happen - I went walking at the beach and just walked and walked for hours. I'd not planned it that way but as soon as I began it just didn't seem appropriate to stop and the further I went the better I felt. There was no destination but I reached one nonetheless; a comfortable and peaceful place within myself.

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I began at a spot called Largs Bay not too far from my house. It was a splendid day, sunny and 22° Celsius, and as I started out I knew I'd feel better for the walk I was about to take.

I'd planned a ninety minute round trip along the beach to a point, about face then back. Simple. My water bottle bumped annoyingly on my hip as I set out although a little adjustment to get it slung better around my shoulders and I was good to go; nothing was going to spoil my day. I hit the beach and walked.

And walked and walked...And walked.

About two hours later I arrived at the Grange jetty and, with no water left in my bottle had to hit the snack bar for a litre bottle of spring water.

I guzzled that almost completely as I sat by the jetty watching the world go by and simply enjoyed the moment. There were kids in the water today, a few adults too, although it was too cold for me. I had walked through the surf a little earlier and it didn't feel too bad but to get submersed? No it was far too cold and besides, there's these things called sharks in there.

I sat for a half hour watching the goings on around me then decided to head back. I bought another litre bottle of water, more expensive than fuel here in Australia, and headed back north along the beach.

I walked for eighteen kilometres all up today, Largs jetty to Grange jetty return. It was probably a little more actually as I had to exit the beach at some places and use the esplanade and a few side streets. It was probably too much as my feet started hurting about half way back. Walking bare foot on sand isn't the most comfortable thing for me I guess. I'll live though and the positives of the time spent walking far exceed the negatives which will fade away over time.

The big walk I did today was much needed I think. It placed me in a gap I guess, a place between places, emotionally.

I did some thinking, listened to music and just engaged with the world around me. It'll sound a bit stupid I guess but I could feel the Earth's energy seeping into me through my bare feet. The ocean's waters lapped around my legs, sand between my toes, sun on my face, shoulders and back, birds calling, the waves going back and forth...Yeah, it all sort of seeped in. I did some thinking and managed not to think also, something I'm not very good at. Time spent valuably? You bet!

I'm feeling relaxed now, a pleasant soreness in my legs and feet, but I'm showered and sitting on the couch with a book...Or will be when I'm done with this post. It's a good feeling after the big beach walk and to be quite honest I'm thinking about a similar day tomorrow...Something different though...Kayaking maybe. Yes, there's a plan.

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I hope you folks are all having a great Sunday. I know it's likely that some are not and I'm sorry about that. I hope you might find the ability to take a walk, to get into nature, and find a little connection there. Feel free to comment below if you feel inclined. Maybe tell me how you like to relax; it might not be walks with nature like me but it doesn't matter. Drop me a line below and say hello, say a few words. Happy Sunday y'all.