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larryfanfiction · 6 years ago

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suspendrs @suspendrs

💚 satellite (100k)

“It’s been three years since I’ve had a proper hot meal,” Louis says finally. “I have no idea where my family is, or if any of them are even still alive. The only reason I’ve been able to keep myself alive for as long as I have is because I keep to myself, stay guarded, stay hidden. It’s the only way I know how to live,” he says.

Harry wants to cry, but he tries to put on a brave face when Louis finally meets his eyes. “You’re safe here. You don’t have to be so guarded around me,” Harry says quietly, earnestly.

“That’s very sweet of you,” Louis says, putting his fork down. “But yes I do. Especially around you.”

Or, Harry finds out that someone's been living in his house without him knowing, but instead of kicking him out, he falls in love with him.

💚 sugar in a plum (4k)

“I’m your dad,” Harry says softly, extending his hand to Plum for her to have a sniff. Plum considers for a moment, looks up at Louis, and then bites Harry’s finger.

“Ow!” Harry shrieks, pulling his hand away quickly. He’s not bleeding, but Plum’s teeth are incredibly sharp, he feels like he’s been stabbed with ten tiny needles. “Jesus, Lou, I thought we were getting a cat, not a demon.”

Or, Harry's new kitten is out to ruin his life.

💚 there are no atheists in foxholes (64k)

“Do you think we’ll ever see it again?” Harry asks after a minute. “London?”

Louis blinks, looking down. They very well could spend the rest of their lives on this island, and they’re both very aware of that. Everyone probably already thinks they’re dead, anyway. Their flats are going to be sold, and their families are going to have funerals, and life is going to go on without them. Even if they do get rescued, it’s already been days. The news of the shipwreck has definitely reached London by now. They don’t know if there’s been any effort to look for survivors, but they also don’t know how far away from the wreck they are, or how far people are going to go to look for them, or if anyone even knows that this island is here and, like, it’s very possible that they’ve already looked and stopped looking for survivors, and no one knows they’re out here-

“I don’t know,” Louis says, before he can start spiraling. “I hope so, but I don’t know.”

Or, the sea takes everything from Louis, but it gives him back more than he ever could’ve asked for.

💚 keep this love in a photograph (48k)

“I could never forget a damn thing about you, Harry Styles, not even if I wanted to,” Louis says. His hair falls into his face when he glances over at Harry, the moonlight reflecting off of it and making it glow golden, like maybe Louis himself is the sun.

Harry thinks of how dark and cold his life got once Louis went away, how Harry got a taste of the sweetest sunshine imaginable and then was plunged into the longest winter of his life. He feels like he’s been buried under mounds of snow for months, years, and he’s finally made it to spring, finally getting another taste of how wonderful life can be.

Or, it’s 1919, and Harry’s been falling in love with his best friend for his entire life.

💚 not even the gods above (25k)

The thing is, though, this isn’t good enough for Harry. Sure, he has the rest of his life to be a notable king, but he wants to be notable now. He wants to bring the two kingdoms together and he wants to do it early on, wants to be the one to facilitate the merge until it seems like the two kingdoms were one all along. He doesn’t want to wait, but everyone he’s turned to thinks waiting is the right choice, so he supposes he has to trust them.

That is, of course, until a declaration of war from the Kingdom of Tomlinson shows up at his palace.

Prompt: Both are new kings of countries that haven’t been allies for the past decade. They need to come up with a treaty which means actually spending time with another. A hate-to-love.

💚 i'll take your pain (2k)

It’s kind of romantic when Harry thinks about it, feeling all the pain of the person he’s supposed to love for the rest of his life. Sure, it’s rather inconvenient when he’s in class and his soulmate gets kicked in the balls, or when he’s sleeping and his soulmate knocks his head or his knee off something. It’d be nice if the function helped them to find each other, but Harry supposes he can live with knowing that they’re destined to run into each other someday.

Or, soulmates have the ability to feel each other's pain, and Harry finds his after getting his arse waxed. (Or, the soulmate au crack fic I can't believe I actually wrote.)

💚 the pink album (31k)

They don’t really discuss how hard it is to be in this situation, or to be doing the things they have to do to continue being together. It’s just something they don’t talk about, and that’s alright. Or maybe it isn’t, but they’ll cross that bridge when they get to it.

Or, a love seven years in the making, inspired by Harry's debut album.

💚 i'll make this feel like home (41k)

It’s nerdy, much nerdier than anything Harry would have engaged in back home. Perrie and Ed are singing some song from West Side Story and Stan is just giggling along, and it’s almost weird how weird Harry doesn’t find it. Liam and Niall would be running as fast as they could from this interaction, but somehow, Harry finds himself giggling along as well.

Maybe it’s because no one in this group seems like they should belong in this group, but Harry feels like he fits right in. He feels more himself than he has in weeks when Louis plops down beside him for a couple moments and throws out another title to add to their movie marathon. Even though he can’t contribute to the conversation about musicals and he has no idea whether The King and I or Oklahoma is more important, he never feels like an outsider.

Or, Harry is new to Plymouth and has had a rough start, but Louis won't rest until he makes it start to feel like home.

💚 dirty laundry looks good on you (19k)

“So um, Niall mentioned you haven’t lived here long. What brings you to London?”

“What is this, an interview?” Louis smirks, stealing Harry’s drink and taking a sip. “Wanted a change of scenery. Dunno.”

Harry hums and takes his drink back, narrowing his eyes playfully at Louis as he takes a long sip. “Can I buy you a drink, or would you rather keep sharing mine?”

“You most certainly can buy me a drink,” Louis grins, grabbing the bottle back out of Harry’s hand, “but I’m still going to be stealing yours.”

Or, Harry is jaded and sad and resigned to be forever alone, until Niall sets him up with a friend of his whose broken pieces may just fit pretty well with Harry's.

💚 we've got to get away from here (23k)

“It is my understanding that you are the most comprehensive member of this agency in the field of extraterrestrial life, is that right?” the agent asks. He’s trying to sound calm, but Louis can tell he’s shaken as well.

“Um, I guess so,” Louis says, glancing over at the man in the blanket again.

Suddenly, Louis’s blood runs cold. There’s something off about the man, something in his gaze, something Louis can’t put his finger on. It’s terribly unsettling, but excitement bubbles in his gut.

Or, Louis is an FBI agent who likes to think himself a paranormal expert, and Harry is the alien that somehow ended up in his office.

💚 in midnights, in cups of coffee (15k)

“Sorry about the sugar,” Louis says, backing toward his own flat. “Bundle up before you go out.”

Harry smiles so sweetly then that Louis can’t imagine he’ll even need the sugar, if the muffins aren’t sweet enough just because they were made by him. “Thanks,” he says, eyes lingering a little longer on Louis before he lets himself back into Gemma’s apartment, and then Louis is just standing in the hallway by himself.

Or, Louis is overworked and cold, Harry is stressed out, and they might be in love.

💚 autumn leaves (27k)

“Brave?” Harry frowns, caught off guard. “No, not particularly.”

“You seem brave,” Louis decides, pushing off the wall and stepping on the butt of his cigarette. “You are strong, and you are not mean. That’s good,” he assures, touching Harry’s arm gently.

“Thank you, but that’s not true,” Harry smiles ruefully. “I’m really not anything special.”

Or, Harry is an American soldier in France during World War II, and Louis is a French waiter that doesn't mean to fall in love with him.

💚 we've got unfinished business (6k)

“Maybe we have a ghost,” Harry suggests, frowning when Louis laughs. “Lots of people have them, you know.”

“Harry, ghosts aren’t real,” Louis snorts, shaking his head as he makes his way back to the kitchen. Harry pouts for a moment, until he hears Louis shriek on the other side of the door.

Or, there’s a ghost in Harry and Louis’s apartment that seemingly just wants them to date.

💚 come away with me (80k)

Louis had such big plans. He wanted so much out of life, and so did Amy. Now Bridget is going to grow up without a mother, and she’s always going to wonder what it would be like if this hadn’t happened. He wonders if she’ll blame him for her mother’s death as she gets older, or if she’ll understand that this is just as painful for Louis as it is for her. Louis doesn’t know how he’s going to raise her on his own, because he’s a fantastic father, yes, but he’s always been the fun parent, and Amy was in charge of the rules. He doesn’t know how to make sure Bridget has everything she needs all the time, doesn’t know how to make her favorite meal or how to do that one braid she loves to have in her hair or how to teach her to be the best person she can be. He doesn’t know how to live without Amy, he doesn’t know what he’s going to do.

Or, Louis has to pick up the pieces of his and his daughter's life after his wife dies, and Harry is a beautiful stranger that just wants to help.

💚 heading for a small disaster (20k)

He and Harry have never had an interaction outside of this car, and they probably never will. After all, Harry is just the guy that drives Louis to work, and Louis is just another customer. That’s all they are, really.

Or, Harry drives an Uber and Louis’s life is falling apart.

💚 maps can be poems when you're on your own (18k)

“Harry, this is Louis, the guy I was telling you about,” Liam says. “Lou, this is Harry, my roommate.”

Harry looks up and locks eyes with Louis, who is very clearly drunk. Louis just giggles in surprise and claps a hand over his own mouth, widening his eyes at Harry comically.

“Nice to meet you,” Harry croaks, watching as Louis tucks himself more firmly into Liam’s side.

Or, Harry falls in love with the guy his best friend is fooling around with.

💚 we could be enough (4k)

“I mean, what if you had a big enough crush on somebody to write into a newspaper about it and confess and you knew someone was just sitting around laughing at-”

“Harry,” Louis interrupts, smiling slightly now. “Did you write one of these?”

“No,” Harry says pointedly, rolling his eyes.

Or, Harry runs an anonymous crush confession column in the school newspaper and Louis has quite the crush to write in about.

💚 no place to call home (21k)

“What are you smiling about, Harrison,” the boy spits, body language suddenly getting defensive. “I’ll have you know that I’m-”

“Harry,” Harry interrupts, giggling. “My name is Harry. And if you’re not called Peter, then what are you called?”

The boy tilts his chin up slightly, surveying Harry like he’s checking if he’s worthy of knowing something as important as his name. “Well, Herschel, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Louis.”

Or, Louis isn't Peter Pan and Harry isn't Wendy and Neverland is nothing like Harry thought it would be, but it's perfect anyway.

💚 nobody does it like you do (58k)

“Like, I still wanna be me, and I want you to be you. I don’t want anything to change. I just wanna call you daddy sometimes,” Louis whispers.

Or, Louis isn't looking for a home, but he finds one in Harry.

💚 kiss me on the mouth and set me free (17k)

He moves on to Twitter next, where things get marginally weirder. His newsfeed is full of tweets about someone called Larry, and that apparently everyone is trying to ship him somewhere. There are a good amount of people though, mostly his hardcore gamer fans and ones with little crushes on him, that are screaming about how this Larry guy is gross.

Fifteen minutes of scrolling tells Louis that Larry Stylinson isn’t a person, but instead a combination of his and Harry’s names. The people that are claiming to ‘ship it’ are apparently rooting for them to get together, which. Okay.

Or, Louis is a gamer and Harry is a beauty guru, and VidCon is a good place to fall in love.

let us know who to feature next!

#as #suspendrs #2018

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grungebeauty666 · 8 years ago

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I got chu. (This is my main blog.... I dont know if I've told you that? Or if you knew? Tbh I almost forgot what I was doing as I was getting ready to send this) but! You should do all of them because they are adorable af and ily and wanna know more about you!

I got chu! I think you never told me, but now I know :D Awe, ily too ^-^

1. What have you eaten today?

Oreo’s and a Cripsy Chicken Burger from Burgerking

 2. Who was your last kiss with? Was it pleasant?

I think it was with one of my best friend. More or less, we do it kinda like a greeting, idk is that weird

 3. What color shoes did you last wear?

White/Holographic

 4. Who has made you laugh the hardest in the last week?

We watched Prison Break and I called Mike a »Snekay Weasel«

 5. What is your favorite scent?

Natural one probably would be tea; Perfume whise Chloé Lovestory

 6. What is your favorite season? Why?

Fall or Winter, because my skin is very sensitive to heat, and it itches and it’s just a no from me

 7. Can you do a handstand or cartwheel?

I used to, but then I got fat lmao

 8. What color are your nails?

Pink

 9. If you had to get a tattoo on your face to save your life, what would it be?

A little heart under my right eye

 10. What is something you find romantic?

Netflix and Chill

 11. Are you happy?

 12. Is there anything in particular making you happy orsad?

My best friends make me happy. Money makes me happy, because I can spend it on shit I don’t need; Part of my family makes me sad

 13. Dogs or Cats?

Both

 15. Which do you prefer:a museum, a night club, the forest or a library?

Museum, I loved the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam

 15. What is your style?

Really weird, because I like alot of stuff so; Grunge, Goth, Hipster, “Instagram-Ish”, Geeky, Cute and alot more mixed

 16. If you could be doing anything you like right now, what would it be?

Travel somewhere

 17. Are you in a relationship or single?

Single

 18. What makes you attracted to the person you like right now?

I actually don’t like one right now

 19. If you could replace your partner/best friend with a celebrity of your choice, would you? Who with?

If I had a partner, I wouldn’t.

 20. Are you holding on to something you need to let go of? If so then what? Sure, many things. Mostly feelings 😂

 21. How did you celebrate last Halloween?

I went for trick and treating with my nieces!

 22. Have you recently made any big decisions?

Yes!

 23. Were you ever in a school play?

No, but we didn’t had those anyway

 24. What movie would you use to describe your life?

To Write Love On Her Arms maybe, without the drug part

 25. Is there something you have dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?

Youtube, and I didn’t started because my confidence is pretty low

 26. Complete this sentence, “I wish I had someone with whom I could share…”

Everything, even though I already have my best friend for that

 27. What are two things that irritate you about the same sex?

Nothing tbh

 28. What are two things that irritate you about the opposite sex?

Nothing tbh

 29. What is the best thing that has happened to you this week?

I only had one day of school

 30. What is something that makes you sad when you think about it?

Alot of things

 31. How long was your longest relationship?

Romantic: Never happendFriendship: About 14 years now

 32. Have you ever been in love?

Yes

 33. Are you currently in love?

With myself

 34. Why did your last relationship end?

It didn’t

 35. What jewelry are you wearing right now, and where did you get it?

I’m wearing a septum but I guess that’s not really jewelry, is it 😂

 36. When was the last time you cried and why?

Yesterday, and for the most stupid thing ever. I’m really shy and have social phobia, and my mother and her husband renovate the hall, and it’s really small and I couldn’t pass her husband and I didn’t want to say that I need to go pass him so I left the hall, went back to my room and started crying. He’s really weird, in a bad way, and I dislike him, for my defense.

 37. Name someone pretty.

Emilie Autumn

 38. What did you receive last Valentines Day?

A text from my bestfriend 😂

 39. Do you get jealous easily?

I do

 40. Have you ever been cheated on?

Friendship whise definitely

 41. Do you trust your partner/best friend?

Yes, I do.

 42. Ever had detention?

Yeah, I skipped classes alot when I was in highschool

 43. Would you rather live in the countryside or the city?

City. I like the countryside, but I like privacy. Not knowing everyone, not getting judged by a bunch of old people

 44. What do people call you?

Lisa

 45. What was the last book you read?

To all the boys I’ve loved before by Jenny Han

 46. How big of a nerd/dork are you?

Way to big

 47. What kind of music do you listen to?

Everything actually

 48. How tall are you?

“””Tall”””; Im 4”9

 49. Do you like kids?

Yes, I love kids!

 50. Favorite fruits?

I usually don’t like fruits, but probably bananas

 51. Do you wear jeans or sweats more?

Leggins all the way

 52. What’s your earliest memory?

My sisters trying to throw me into a river as a joke

 53. Ever had a poem or song written about you or to you?

Yes, by my niece

 54. Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?

Both, but only if I take the pictures

 55. Do you have a collection of anything?

Pencil’s, life of an artist am I right

 56. Do you save money or spend it?

I used to spend it, but I’m trying to save more now, since I’m moving out soon

 57. What would your dream house be like?

I prefer smaller ones because I’m paranoid

 58. What top 5 things make you the angriest?

Ignorance, racism, sexism, violence, doublestandarts

 59. What top 5 things always brings a smile to your face?

Food, netflix, books, friends, free wifi

 60. You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do?

Well, I get fired then

 61. You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid?

a) Everyoneb) Probably still watching netflix and youtube alldayc) No, I’d be glad it’s over

 62. Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word; heart.

People that are completely happy and share their happiness with other people, to make them happy too

 63. You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go?

England or Switzerland, since two of my friends live there

 64. Do you like the beach?

 65. Ever sleep on the couch or a bed with someone special?

Define special, to me everyone that I love is special, so I guess

 66. Do you have a middle name? If so what is it!

Mine is Marie

 67. Do you talk to yourself?

Yes, I do that alot

 68. Describe your hair.

Short, wavy/curly, silver-blue

 69. What is the meaning of life.

I don’t know yet

 70. What is your ideal partner like?

Funny

 71. Do you want to get married?

 72. Do you want to have kids?

Maybe, I’m not sure

 73. Like or dislike your family?

I dislike most of them

 74. Are you Chunky or Slim?

Just fat 75. Would you consider yourself smart?

I’d like to, but I think I’m rather stupid

 76. What would you change about your life?

Money

 77. Religious or Not?

Nope

 78. You’re drunk and yelling at hot guys/girls out of your car window, you’re with?

Probably my best friend

 79. You’re locked in a room with the last person you kissed, is that a problem?

No, I love him lmao

 80. Does anyone regularly (other than family) tell you they love you?

Yes

 81. If the person you wish to be with were with you, what would you be doing right now?

Watching netflix, eating pizza and drinking alcohol

 82. So, the last person you kissed just happens to arrive at your door at 3AM; do you let them in?

Yes

 83. Do you like when people play with your hair?

Yeeeeeees, I love that, it feels so good

 84. Do you like bubble baths?

Yes! I also love bathbombs especially from lush

 85. Have you ever been pulled over by a cop?

Nah, I can’t drive

 86. Have you ever danced in the rain?

As a kid

 87. Do you trust anyone with your life?

Yes

 88. What was your first thought when you woke up this morning?

My neck hurts

 89. If money wasn’t an issue, what top 10 places would you travel to? (You get to stay at each place for a week)

EnglandSwitzerlandJapanItalyAmericaFranceGreeceMexicoThailandParts of Germany maybe, I don’t travel around much here

 90. How was your day today?

Okay

 91. Play an instrument?

No, I tried playing piano, but my fingers are too small lmao

 92. Describe the what you think of the ocean.

I hate it, it’s deep and scary and dark, just no

 93. Do you believe in aliens or ghosts?

Ghosts, yes

 94. Honestly, are things how you wanted them to be?

 95. Do you have a mean bitchy scary side?

It’s my only side 🌚

 96. When are you vulnerable?

When I’m confused

 97. How much free time do you have?

Alot

 98. Do you like to go hiking?

No omg

 99. Odd or Even Numbers?

Even

 100. Would you ever go sky diving, bungee jumping , cliff diving, wing suit gliding, parasailing, snorkeling, or other extreme activities?

No, no, no, no, no, no and no

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olwog · 5 years ago

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So Peeps, we learn that people walk the Camino for a variety of reasons but they all have a story. We’ll learn that Carolyne is recovering from cancer and I’ve had a major operation on an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm so making the most of our allotted time is important. So here’s my tale.

Last November, we went for a walk…

The Camino del Norte is about 800km (500 miles) long and stretches from Irun to Santiago de Compostela. It takes about 37 days but we don’t have to do it all in one and my first walk is less than a week and the next one a full week.

You can start from virtually anywhere…

But we’re walking The Norte..

This walk is reported to be tough and at 25 kilometres/day it certainly matches any of the walks I do in Yorkshire, the difference is in height and the stones and there’s plenty of both.

We leave the pension (hotel) and are almost immediately challenged by steps, about 60 of them! It’s at this point I remind myself of:

I am now recovered from an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm otherwise affectionately referred to as a Triple ‘A’ but still need to be sensible!

My Achilles injury, whilst not an issue in itself has left me quite unfit.

The fact that we’re carrying our worldly goods on our back will make a difference and I’m grateful for the advice willingly offered by the Pilgrim regarding keeping the weight down. (To explain…the Pilgrim is my close friend and partner Cecilia Kennedy, she’s on her third Camino and well experienced in the ways of the ‘peregrino’ and hence the tongue in cheek nickname).

I’m gratified that The Pilgrim emerges at the top of the steps a little out of breath; however, her recent Camino activity will stand her in excellent stead I’m going to be good for 20 km (12.5 miles) then, in fairness, the last 8 (5 miles) is beautiful and probably more so than the first 20, but it is tough.

We walk towards what is purported to be “the way” but it’s some time before we see the first yellow arrow.

Click on any of the images and you can page through them at full size…

The guy on the Spanish weather site is not in the same league as Carol and seems more interested in the Costas than this northern Basque area. No matter, there’s no cloud so that’s a bonus.

We need some sustenance so we call in at a tiny fruiterers on the outskirts of Irun. He’s very helpful and gives The Pilgrim an opportunity to practice the Spanish she’s been learning. We buy water, Gatorade, a baguette and enough jamon de York to fill it. It all comes at a price just over 4 euros, it really pays to do your shopping on the outskirts of town.

As we’re preparing to leave they point at The Pilgrim’s stick which has been left in the aisle. She swings her rucksack around jeopardising cans of fruit, jars of pickles and a number of items of Spanish meat in varying degrees of aging but missing all by parts of a millimetre, the stick is retrieved and as she returns, oblivious to the recent potential for disaster, I note the shopkeeper’s eyes are firmly closed and the other shopper is standing with arms outstretched in what would have been a vain attempt to catch them. We leave the shop to a duet of buenos dias and a significant sigh of relief with a sensible balance of sustenance and liquid which needs to be enough to satisfy our expenditure of calories but not too much to be cumbersome or heavy, we have over twenty kilometres in front and some of them are seriously ‘up’.

The Pilgrim props the sticks up in a pot in the door to readjust her rucksack and ensure the purchases are distributed evenly to ensure comfort and fit.

About three hundred metres along the road and we stop, “I’ve left my sticks”, she says and makes a return sweep of the shop to retrieve them. When I asked if they’d said anything she responds with, “I snook in and just grabbed them”.

We’re at the outskirts of town and the green of the countryside is a welcome substitute for the concrete and tar of the roads. The pilgrim points at some cabbages in the allotments to our right, it’s like walking with Barbara Good. I have to say her observations are valid though, the cabbages are like giant hogweed and devoid of the grub eaten filigree leaves that we tend to find on organic land back in the UK. This could be down to sneaky use of pesticides or lack of herbivores, they’re so clean I go for the former then feel cynical but either way, they look great.

The Camino is beginning to rise now and the yellow arrows that declare “The Way” are reassuringly closer together. Although we’re still on tarmac the gradient is becoming more acute and where the road ‘hairpins’ it becomes even more inclined. This is both challenging and a welcome early workout to get get us in the mood for the track into the woods.

After half an hour we take a short break to catch our breath and look around. The scenery is what I would expect in Switzerland and before I can say anything The Pilgrim vocalises my thoughts, we laugh! There’s the sea and beaches in the distance and in the foreground, meadows and woods with chalet type houses of various sizes and above all that, a blue sky, this is a great day to be introduced to Del Norte. It has a challenging reputation but the weather is in our favour.

Another half hour goes by and I have a feeling that we’re being followed. Not a sinister feeling and I’m sure it’s not ESP. My belief is that you spot something or someone in the corner of your eye but don’t consciously register it. You then process it and it becomes that feeling and I’ve had it for 5 or 10 minutes when I spot another peregrina a few metres behind. We greet. She’s French and started her Camino North of Paris. She’s been on the road, track and mountain for 42 days and, to her credit, looks like she started yesterday. She gives her name as Caroline and pronounces it the English way, the final syllable rhyming with pine, and then she repeats it saying in France we say Caroleen. As we walk she tells us her story. At only 22 she was diagnosed with a malignant lump and underwent surgery. Following that she decided to spend some time with herself and reassess her life hence the Camino. I’ve got to say, not only has she chosen a long one, it’s also seriously arduous.

Caroline walks with us and we exchange thoughts as we pass along very stony tracks between 800 and 1200 feet.

The views vary from colourful pathways strewn with leaves and bordered by trees with every type of leaf all in autumn colours to dappled glades that are almost silent save the bird calls and even then only very occasional.

We walk along a path that follows a contour for the best part of 10 kilometres but forwards the end, when you expect it to start to descend it challenges you by suddenly going up.

As we begin to descend it’s a relief and relatively easy but as the decline becomes more acute it pulls on the muscles at the front of your legs and on your calf muscles and becomes even more challenging as we reach some steps.

Pasai Donibane and Pasai Pedro are the two sides of a delightful port very much like Whitby. We stop for a drink and a bite to eat at a local cafe and Caroline decides to go on. Our other agenda is to decide if we stop in this lovely town but after discussing it with the ferryman who takes us across the harbour and being told there are no hotels or pensions in this area we have no option than to take on the next 9km.

So off we go towards the estuary and past a small boat building company that’s in the process of repairing an old steamer and also building some kind of schooner which you’re invited to go and see. As the time is quarter to three and we have at the very least two and half hours of walking we carry on to the steps.

The steps skirt the entrance to the harbour and rise some three hundred feet in a zig zag fashion. My legs are aching from the exertions so far and this is a real test but the views take my mind off the challenge and we stop from time to time to make photographs and savour the moment.

Towards the top, there are some picnic tables and bench seats which we take advantage of. We had passed a German guy in his twenties towards the bottom and he’s just made it to this viewing area. Like Caroline, he has a great command of English and asks us about albergues along the route. We tell him that our aim is for San Sebastian; his is a little more modest but we think that the place that he’s got plans for is shut and tell him that. The Pilgrim lets him photograph the page that has the address of the albergue in San Sebastian and I tell him he’s welcome to walk with us but he holds back, perhaps he’s a little shy or more likely, some people walk this to be alone.

This leg of the walk hugs the coast and the views are really quite spectacular with each turn offering a new angle on a bay or cove all heavily wooded and with spectacular cliffs that the Atlantic has eroded over many years. It’s easy to imagine the huge waves and spectacular storms that occur in all seasons but especially during the winter when the jet stream moves north. Today is placid, there is little or no wind and on the odd occasion that we see a house with a wood fire, the smoke rises vertically.

We stop from time to time for a pee or just to listen to the silence or occasional bird, it’s a great day.

About half way through this last leg there is an aqueduct with several arches. The guide suggests that pilgrims with a head for heights may wish to take this as a shortcut. It saves about three metres but I decide to give it a go anyway for the photo experience and The Pilgrim does the honours with the camera.

The path is now tacking back inland and we arrive at a tarmac road with a lot of shouting going on behind a wood. It turns out that there is a football field hidden by the trees which would have been the way that E. Walker and Chris Lennie describe in their guide. We follow the yellow arrows and the map on the phone which, whilst being the designated way, is a singularly challenging route that involves another 500 feet of ascent albeit in stages.

We take a break on a large stone and 5 minutes later the German passes us with a smile but his demeanour is really grim, he’s looking quite all in.

In another half kilometre we meet him again with a guy that’s offering accommodation to pilgrims free of charge. He looks like an elderly hippy and whilst we are tempted we decided to carry on and find a place in San Sebastien as planned.

The route is beginning to descend now and the gradient is steep. The muscles in the front of my legs are now complaining but I’m happy that we made the decision to go to San Sebastien even if the accommodation issue in Pasai Pedro made it a no brainer!

We’re descending at a great rate now and the Camino is signposted through a wooded park where the trees are carrying leaves of every colour. This is a great bonus and the soft layer of leaves makes it even more of a bonus as it cushions our steps.

The Pilgrim asks me to stop and listen so we do. It’s surreal how wonderful the lack of traffic noise, or any noise for that matter, and it soothes the soul. We do hear a lone bird calling but even that softens as it glides its way into the distance and all we’re left with an occasional sound of a leaf as it drifts down from its host.

We emerge from the wood onto a track overlooking the cove and sea whilst they sun is beginning to set and we’re hoping to get a glimpse of the big moon as we descend into the town.

The last part of the walk descends some 300 feet and we emerge into San Sebastián complete with traffic noise and bustle.

A coffee is called for in a local bar whilst we use wifi to arrange a hotel.

What a walk. Bien Camino. Enjoy the snaps…G..x

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This is life after an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm open repair. Don’t be afraid of the operation, it set me free. Please be encouraged and inspired to walk, it’s liberating…G..x

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Camino Test So Peeps, we learn that people walk the Camino for a variety of reasons but they all have a story.

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olwog · 8 years ago

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Last November, the Pilgrim took me for an amble along the Camino Norte. Just a few days you understand, she didn’t want to wear me out! I did write it up but never got round to putting it on the site, so here you are…

This walk is reported to be tough and at 25 kilometres it certainly matches any of the walks we do in Yorkshire, the difference is in height and the stones and there’s plenty of both.

We leave the hotel and are almost immediately challenged by steps, about 60 of them! It’s at this point I realise two things:

1. My Achilles injury, whilst not an issue in itself has left me quite unfit.

2. The fact that we’re carrying our worldly goods on our back will make a difference and I’m grateful for the advise willingly offered by The Pilgrim regarding keeping the weight down.

I’m gratified that The Pilgrim emerges at the top a little out of breath; however, her recent Camino activity will stand her in excellent stead I’m going to be good for 20 km then, in fairness, the last 5 is beautiful and probably more so than the first 20, but it is tough.

We walk towards what is purported to be “the way” but it’s some time before we see the first yellow arrow.

The guy on the Spanish weather site is not in the same league as Carol and seems more interested in the Costas than this northern Basque area. No matter, there’s no cloud so there’s a bonus.

The Pilgrim props the sticks up in a pot in the door to readjust her rucksack and ensure the purchases are distributed evenly to ensure comfort and fit.

After half an hour we take a short break to catch our breath and look around. The scenery is what I would expect in Switzerland and before I can say anything The Pilgrim vocalises my thoughts, we laugh! There’s the sea and beaches in the distance and in the foreground, meadows and woods with chalet type houses of various sizes and above all that, a blue sky, this is a great day to be introduced to the Del Norte. It has a challenging reputation but the weather is in our favour.

Another half hour goes by and I have a feeling that we’re being followed. Not as sinister feeling and I’m sure it’s not ESP. My belief is that you spot something or someone in the corner of your eye but don’t consciously register it. You then process it and it becomes that feeling and I’ve had it for 5 or 10 minutes when I spot another peregrina a few metres behind. We greet. She’s French and started her Camino North of Paris. She’s been on the road, track and mountain for 42 days and, to her credit, looks like she started yesterday. She gives her name as Caroline and pronounces it the English way, the final syllable rhyming with pine, and then she repeats it saying in France we say Caroleen. As we walk she tells us her story. At only 22 she was diagnosed with a malignant lump and underwent surgery. Following that she decided to spend some time with herself and reassess hence the Camino. I’ve got to say, not only has she chosen a long one, it’s also seriously arduous.

Caroline walks with us and we exchange thoughts as we pass along very stony tracks between 800 and 1200 feet.

We walk along a path that follows a contour for the best part of 10 kilometres but forwards the end, when you expect it to start to descend it challenges you by suddenly going up.

Pasai Donibane and Pasai Pedro are the two sides of a delightful port very much like Whitby. We stop for a drink and bite to eat at a local cafe and Caroline decides to go on. Our other agenda is to decide if we stop in this lovely town but after discussing it with the ferryman who takes us across the harbour and being told there are no hotels or pensions in this area we have no option than to take on the next 9km.

The steps skirt the entrance to the harbour and rise some three hundred feet in a zig zag fashion. My legs are aching from the exertions so far and this is a real test but the views take your mind off the challenge and we stop from time to time to make photographs and savour the moment.

Towards the top there are some picnic tables and bench seats which we take advantage of. We had passed a German guy in his twenties towards the bottom and he’s just made it to this viewing area. Like Caroline, he has a great command of English and asks us about alberges along the route. We tell him that our aim is for San Sebastian; his is a little more modest but we think that the place that he’s got plans for is shut and tell him that. The Pilgrim lets him photograph the page that has the address of the alberge in San Sebastian and I tell him he’s welcome to walk with us but he holds back, perhaps he’s a little shy or more likely, some people walk this to be alone.

This leg of the walk hugs the coast and the views are really quite spectacular with each turn offering a new angle on a bay or cove all heavily wooded and with spectacular cliffs that the Atlantic has eroded over many years. It’s easy to imagine the huge waves and spectacular storms that occur in all seasons but especially during the winter when the jet stream moves north. Today is placid, there is little or no wind and on there odd occasion that we see a house with a wood fire, the smoke rises vertically.

We stop from time to time for a pee or just to listen to the silence or occasional bird, it’s a great day.

About half way through this last leg there is an aqueduct with several arches. The guide suggest that pilgrims with a head for heights may wish to take this as a shortcut. It saves about three metres but I decide to give it a go anyway for the photo experience and The Pilgrim does the honours with the camera.

We take a break on a large stone and 5 minutes later the German passes us with a smile but his demeanour is really grim, he’s looking quite all in.

We’re descending at a great rate now and the Camino is signposted through a wooded park where the trees are carrying leaves of every colour known to man. This is a great bonus and the soft layer of leaves makes it even more of a bonus as it cushions our steps.

We emerge from the wood onto a track overlooking the cove and sea whilst they sun is beginning to set and we’re hoping to get a glimpse of the big moon as we descend into the town.

The last part of the walk defends some 300 feet and we emerge into San Sebastián complete with traffic noise and bustle.

A coffee is called for in a local bar whilst we use wifi to arrange a hotel.

What a walk. Bien Camino. Enjoy the snaps…G..x

With The Pilgrim — with Cecilia Kennedy.

Camino – Irun to San Sabastian Last November, the Pilgrim took me for an amble along the Camino Norte. Just a few days you understand, she didn't want to wear me out!

#Camino #Irun #Landscapes #Norte #Photographs #San Sabastian #Walking #Walks

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