Could this be the longest time since the start of this blog that I’ve gone without posting??
Maybe. My last post was in August, where I was walking through the sunshine on my second day on the Pennine Way. I walked from June 20th-July 4th and in the last four months I’ve only managed to write about two days of the walk… yikes!
So with all of this silence it might be a fair question I’m about to ask: is anyone still out there?
Oh, I sure hope so. The blog may be a little silent but I haven’t gone anywhere. In fact, lately, I’ve felt pretty locked into my writing, it just hasn’t been here. I’ve had ideas for the blog, and a dozen posts are half written (well, all in my head), and I want to write a few more guides, and more e-books too, and… there’s so much!
But right now, my energy is somewhere else, it’s with my book. I’ve mentioned it before, and maybe you remember: I’ve been working on a memoir that tells the story of my first long walk on the Camino de Santiago. There’s still so much work to be done but I think that- just maybe- it is starting to come together. And that’s been so exciting! Really, really exciting!
I’ve missed this blog though, I’ve missed writing about my walking adventures and even just the general thoughts on life. And I miss all of you, too, the small interactions we have here… or maybe even just knowing that my words are going out to some unknown place, read by some unknown people. And that the act of publishing something here, anything here, is important.
I’m back for now, with this little post that is mostly to say hi, and to share some of the beautiful fall scenes around my neighborhood and local park (this has been one of the most beautiful fall seasons in recent memory!).
I also wanted to give a few updates, just about things I’ve been meaning to share or things I’m thinking about, so here we go:
1. Anyone here on Instagram and not following my page, Nadine Walks? Well, come on over! I’m still consistently posting a photo just about every day from my walks, and right now I’m in the middle of photos from the Pennine Way. Sometimes I write a longish caption that captures some little detail or story from the day, it’s kind of like mini-blogging (which means that I’m missing writing about my walks here! I need to get back into it!!).
2. I’ve been home from my summer travels for over two months, and so far all I’ve mentioned here on the blog is that I walked for 15 days on the Pennine Way. But did you know that in August, after my four weeks at my writer’s retreat, I hopped back on Le Puy to walk for three days through France?? It was a whirlwind baby-Camino but I loved it. It was all I could fit in but it was worth it. Camino time, even just a bit of it, warms my soul. I’ll write about that sometime, too.
3. Speaking of the Camino, last month I read Beth Jusino’s recently published book, Walking to the End of the World. I’d been following Beth’s blog and her adventures on the Camino for some time, and was delighted to be able to read about her journey more fully in her book. The unique spin of this particular Camino story is that she (and her husband) walk not just the 500-miles of the Camino Frances, but they start in Le Puy and all told, walk 1,000 miles! Since I’ve walked a little over half of the Le Puy route myself, it was such a joy to hear more about that part of her Camino experience.
4. I’m thinking about starting up a Patreon page, and this feels both scary and exciting. Here’s a link to a great little video explaining what Patreon is; basically, it’s a way for an audience to help support the artists they follow. It’s hard for me to ask for help, so this is a big step for me, but I think it’s an important one. So far, I haven’t been earning any money from the work that I’m creating, and that’s been more than okay. I’ll keep writing and taking photographs, regardless of money or audience. But as I think about where I want to take my writing, I realize that I need to look into different ways that I can support myself. Maybe this Patreon thing won’t translate to much, maybe it will be a couple bucks a month that can cover coffee costs on my walks (or, even more realistically, the fees it takes to run this blog), but I think I’m going to try it. More on this soon.
Okay, time to go. It’s a very gray, rainy fall day over in my neck of the woods; we are just past peak foliage and some leaves are still clinging to the trees, stubbornly refusing to come down despite the rain and the wind of the last few days. Hanging on for just a little longer, as if to say, “Winter may be coming, but not quite yet.” If the rain would ever stop maybe I could run outside for a quick, late afternoon walk. If only. But instead, I think it could be nice to light a candle in the darkening of the room, pour a glass of good red wine, and hunker down to work on my book.
Thanks for still being here, and I’ll write again soon.
*waves*
Still enjoying your ridiculous good weather photos from the Pennine Way over on Instagram.
Oh there’s a lot more sunshine to come!!
Nadine, I’m glad you are back, I’ve missed you and the great read you always provide! ~ Arlena
Thanks Arlena, I’ve missed blogging and these interactions! I hope you’re well!
Nadine: I’m still looking over your shoulder. J
Still here, waiting for new posts, though I must admit that your Instagram page is good substitute drug.
I know how you feel about Patreon. I have been toying with the thought of creating a page there myself, but I couldn’t get myself to do it, partly because I feel the same about asking for help, but also because I don’t think I have a worthy project for Patreon. Your book, however, sounds more then appropriate for this so I encourage you to do it. And don’t forget to keep us posted here. 🖖🏻
Thanks Christian, for both continuing to read and for the Patreon encouragement! I’m still not positive about it, so in the meantime I’m going to work hard to churn out some Pennine Way blog posts… better late than never??
Absolutely! My West Highland Way travelogue was finished and posted several months after the trip, too. The brain just isn’t an orange that can juice forcefully on demand. Stuff comes out when it is ready. At least it’s this way with me. Looking forward to your upcoming posts, whenever they’ll come out.
It’s been so long since I’ve seen anything from you that I was worried. I’m glad to read that you’re well and I can look forward to continuing to read about your adventures.
Hi Lorrayne! Yes, all is well!! And more posts to come soon (hopefully…)
HI Nadine! Love seeing your Instagram photos and of course these blog entries. I’m in my initial planning for next year’s walk pilgrimage – think I’ll be walking the via Di Francesco – Way of St. Francis from Florence to Assisi. Look forward to continuing following your journey’s!
David
Hi David! I always like hearing what your next walking/pilgrimage plans are… and a long walk through Italy sounds incredible (especially starting in Florence- such a wonderful city!). I’m thinking about possible walks for next year as well, though right now there are just too many contenders!
Hello, I’m one of your “unknown” readers! I follow along on Instagram, often envious of the lovely places you walk, and of your courage to walk alone. Maybe one day I will attempt something similar.
Hi Gigi, thank you so much for commenting! (and for reading, and for following along on Instagram as well!). These walking adventures have been one of the best things I’ve done in my life- if you do ever find yourself planning something similar and have any questions, please reach out and let me know! I’d love to help. 🙂
Thanks for the shout-out about the book! It’s so good to get this in the hands of others who already know and love the Le Puy Camino, and I’m glad you enjoyed it. (Also, I totally understand the blogging hiatus. I have a bunch of ideas bouncing around, too, but can’t seem to find the focus to write them. Maybe now that the seasons have changed, we’ll have more dark hours for writing instead of sunny hours for being outside?)
I’m excited to see your memoir, whenever it’s ready.
Haha, that’s it exactly! Writing in the winter has always been easier than writing in any other season. I’m still accepting that the shortening daylight hours mean I can’t be outside as long, this is always a rough time of the year! Here’s to renewed focus for both of us!
Still here and enjoying your adventure. No harm in getting the patreon going. I think it could galvanise support in more ways than just “coffee money”.