Jo’s Monday walk : A walk for Sue

‘Hello! You look interesting’.

Hard not to smile at such a nosy sheep. All his friends were busy devouring the lush green stuff. He wasn’t exactly skinny so he must have eaten his share and was feeling conversational. Me, I didn’t have anything better to do. I’d left the house feeling just a bit grumpy. Walking the same lanes over and again, albeit in a different sequence, really didn’t suit. But then I began to look around me.

Blossom in the trees, rich wonderful hues, with sunlight filtering through them. Sky, the merriest shade of blue. Grass as green as you’ll ever see, the first poppies just beginning to nod. A time to go hunting in the shade for tiny, compelling wild orchids, the birds all a-twitter as I make my discoveries. And I know how very lucky I am.

  • Tender orange blossom
  • That first poppy
  • Wild trailing gladioli
  • The fragrance bursting forth

For there is a lady who my heart goes out to. Her time on this earth has been brutally curtailed, and yet she faces each day with warmth, grace and humour. Sue Vincent is an extraordinary lady. Each morning I tiptoe into my Reader to check that there is another post, for her days are surely numbered. A writer with great charisma and insight, she has taken me on many beautiful journeys in the short time I have known her. I have found myself tramping across moorland, touching with awe the standing stones that entrance her, and poking around in quiet village churches. I don’t even know if she’s been to my lovely Algarve, but I feel compelled to share, in her honour, some of the beauty that surrounds me.

  • Sunlight and shade
  • A wild orchid jewel
  • Lilac wisteria
  • The fortress
  • And village church, Cacela Velha

I sadly have to amend this post today because lovely Sue lost her battle. I can only say what a privilege and an honour it was to share this space with her. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones. RIP, beautiful soul.

walking logo

The links are few this week and I would not normally be posting a walk, but I think you’d understand if you met Sue.

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Sometimes us walkers bite off more than we can chew. I think Graham was relieved to get home after this :

Hilina Pali Trail loop

Fancy getting clarty ? Jude has the very place!

A Riverside Walk – Noonvares

LadyLee has a much more relaxing pastime in mind :

Puzzle number 21 – Birds

Carol has some stories told on stone that I feel Sue would love, in a completely amazing place :

Story Tellers

And Mel never runs out of energy!

Exploring the Sydney Coastline – Bondi to Manly Path – Stage 4, Darling Point to Kirribilli

Have a happy week! It’s all out there, just waiting for you.

164 comments

  2. You’re not alone in feeling fed-up and semi-depressed at times, Jo, we all go through that before we catch ourselves on (as we Irish say) and realize how lucky we are in comparison with some. No harm in having a moan, in fact I think it’s essential every so often. Now I shall nip over and have a look at Sue’s post, she sounds a remarkable woman.

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    1. She really is, Mari, and I know you’ll find much to love about her. Not least she is a wonderful writer. My own troubles are all family related and I’m powerless to do anything much about them. A minor frustration in comparison. Thanks darlin 🤗💕

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  3. Lovely walk, and how nice of you to share it with Sue, as well. Sue has merged us all even closer together, I believe, as she shows us the way of her own path, her own walk toward a new journey.

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  4. Beautiful flowers and I’ll certainly have a look at Sue’s blog. I noticed your use of ‘clarty’ – are you from the north east of England originally I wonder?

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  5. She must be a special woman for you to share such a beautiful walk, although from what I read, seeing all this beauty may have pulled you from a bit of a funk as well. If she could, I think Sue would enjoy the Phoenix Desert Botanical Gardens which is where my walk is today. Spring in the desert is a very different spring from many places but it is beautiful.

    https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2021/03/22/monday-walk-desert-botanical-gardens-visitors/

    janet

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    1. I caught your walk too late to add to mine this morning, Janet. I was in a do I/don’t I frame of mind because I didn’t want to give offence. I admire her greatly. Thanks for your beautiful share 🤗💕

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  6. A wonderful post Jo – have just been over to visit Sue’s site. It does make one realise the importance of treasuring every day. The Algarve looks pretty special at this time of year. Do hope all is well with you and thanks for the lovely post and photos, take care xx

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    1. Things could be very much better in the family, Rosemay, but the beaches have reopened here and I have a great deal to be thankful for. Hope you have a good week. I’ll visit later 🤗💕

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      1. I know it must be an ongoing concern with the family Jo – sending you virtual hugs and hope that it helps a bit with the beaches reopening. At least you can get out and about a bit further now. Take care and catch you soon xx 🙂

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      2. Bless you, darlin! Thanks for coming over to respond. I hope you’ve had a good day. The Carrot Ranch gang will be out in force. I was happy as that Larry chap that our beaches have reopened. Sending hugs, Sue 🤗💕💕

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  10. What a lovely tribute to Sue, the blossoms are gorgeous and I love the last shot 🙂 I’ve just had a quick look at the last few posts on Sue’s blog and will revisit later when I have more time.

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    1. She is a very gifted writer, Eunice. Not necessarily my genre but she knows the Moors and loves many of the same things that I do. Thanks for reading, hon 🤗💕

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  12. Thanks Jo. I’m off to ‘meet’ Sue, very late in the day. As my son-in-law died of cancer almost five years ago now, I guess I have some idea what her life may be like at the moment. Simple joy in what nature has to offer is at least something.

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    1. I know you’ll like what you find, Margaret. She’s not maudlin or miserable, if anything the very opposite. Her writing and poetry is very beautiful, and she’s a Yorkshire lass, like yourself. The back story is a huge testament to her.
      My good news for the day – the beaches are open so that’s where I’ve been 🤗💕

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  14. You are so right, Jo, about how nature’s changing galleries can lift the spirits… always something new and beautiful. Your photos are wonderful – so full of hope and promise for the year – and that plump little lamb is just lovely!
    The blogging community is fantastic – so inspirational and a font of knowledge too… I’m off to meet Sue, having enjoyed her walk here!

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    1. I’ve ‘known of’ Sue for many years, Carol, but it was our friend Marsha I think, who led me to her story through the Carrot Ranch. She is an inspirational, but also a very warm and lovely lady. 🙂 🙂

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  17. She does seem like a remarkable person. She tells it like it is without any self pity
    Thanks for sharing her story. Wonderful photos today Jo, especially Shaun the Sheep 🐑

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    1. It’s not my story to tell, Alison, but her 30 year old son was the victim of a knife attack to the head many years ago and she helped him to recover, from being in a coma then paralysed. Her writing and poetry is very beautiful. I guess you’d say she has a beautiful soul 🙂 🙂

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    1. I hope you didn’t think you were the ‘Sue’, Sue. It did cross my mind to include you but I really wanted to draw attention to (another) remarkable lady. Her story is rather wonderful, aside from the sadness.

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  19. I am glad you had you illicit walk Jo. I did pop over to Sue’s place. Feeling lucky and sad even though I have no idea who she is. Our lives are so torn apart by things beyond our control and I sorta can relate

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  20. Thank you, Jo. What a beautiful place to live!
    I have never been to the Algarve, though it was always on my ‘hit list’ of places to visit. I appreciate this tour of its hedgerows… here is something about the native wildflowers of an area that really gives a glimpse into its heart.

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    1. I hope you didn’t find it an intrusion, Sue. I hesitated many times before I pressed Publish, but I did want to bring more readers your way. Yours is a remarkable story and you are a very gifted, and obviously much-loved, lady. I so enjoy my visits to yours. It’s a privilege and a joy. Thank you! 🙂 🙂

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