Of which, I am not one. I am not a morning person by any stretch of the imagination, so I must have had rocks in my head to sign up for a sunrise hike.
Here was my thinking, (it seemed logical at the time). I would be needing to get used to getting up early on the Camino, especially with my slow status and ensuring I reach a bed at the end of each day, so why not try and get into the habit early? Plus, the hike location was close by (meaning I didn’t have to get up even earlier) and our illustrious Ladybirds leader was selling it well. It will be great she said. We’ll do it in our pyjamas she said. It will be magical.
Needless to say, this gorgeous woman was NOT my favourite person as I dragged my sorry carcass out of bed at 5:45am to meet everyone at Mt Lofty by 6:15am. She was decidedly even lower on my favourites list when I turn up to see her looking perfectly groomed, bright and sparkly, hair glowing and full of boundless energy!
My grumpiness was soon set aside by the sight of all of us in pyjamas and hiking boots, including a pair of fluffy bunny ears that I was a little jealous of because it was cold. Really cold. The morning though, was simply stunning.
The air was crisp, clear and serene. As we waited for the sun to come up, we watched the moon going down and the colours change from muted blues and purples to blazing yellows and oranges.
This, I could understand the appeal of. Everything had a hushed feel about it and you felt like you were being bathed in the first light of creation. Okay, Andrea, I will give it to you, it was magical.
With the sun now glowing on us, it was time to complete the circuit walk of Mt. Lofty. The Mt. part of the name was a bit grandiose. The elevation is approximately 130metres, so more of an exaggerated hill than a mountain, but fabulous views all the same.
Down at the river, the sun hadn’t yet reached the water, so the fog lifting off gave it an ethereal glow. This was worth getting up for.
Our adventure laden hike filled with sunrise vistas, riverside reflections and the hunt and discovery of an infamous rusted abandoned car was followed by a delicious group breakfast.
By the time I arrived back home, I felt invincible and like I could take on the world. If this is how morning people felt, I could jump on the bandwagon. Early mornings here I come.
This is how I felt an hour later….
Jack Nicholson in ‘One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ after he was lobotomised. I couldn’t actually find a picture of him drooling because I am sure that would have been a closer characterisation of how I was. For. The. Rest. Of. The. Day!
Needless to say, I have not been on another early morning hike. I shall leave the early mornings to the birds and those crazy morning people and just have to hope that there will be a bed waiting for me when I finally arrive into each town of the Camino.
Nice try though Andrea. 🙂
x
I never use to be a morning person but I can’t help but wake up early now, all that morning hiking to beat the crowds made me a morning person 😁
Love reading your blogs xx
That’s what Andrea tells me I need to do. She is convinced I will return from the Camino a morning person. I am yet to be convinced.
I’m glad you enjoy the blog, it was actually you that gave me the confidence to just go with my voice.
🙂
xx
Karen, you are such a good writer! I look forward to reading your blog when you’re on the Camino. It’ll be here before you know it!
Thank you Bev, I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s funny, when my things were flooded and I was going through boxes, I found creative writing pieces from high school and Uni. I was reading them and thought, hmmm, this style sounds very similar to my writing now, so it seems to be an instinctive thing. I look forward to having you join my trials and tribulations of the Camino! xx
Loved your blog and strongly identify – would rise at 10.30am each day if I could ! Hope you have a fabulous time on the Camino. Lyn
Same! I feel high as a kite if I get to sleep late.
Glad you enjoyed the blog and hopefully you will enjoy it while I am on the Camino. I really can’t wait for it now. Will be the longest four weeks ever.
Karen you are so funny and a girl after my own heart. Not an early morning person.I know it will be so different once your on the Camino you will be up with all the other special travellers and enjoying all the sunrises early brekkies and beautiful scenery. BECAUSE on holidays its a different world and you feel like enjoying the whole day and you can still cocktail and party in the night. Believe me Ive done it and still can when away overseas. Photos were beautiful like you so keep up the good work at the gym and doing your walks. Not long now. love and hugs and look forward to reading and seeing your photos when you are away you are very special to me. xxPat
Thanks so much Pat. I will be hoping for lots of messages of love from you while I am away to keep me going. Big hugs and lots of love. xx
I will make a morning person of you yet Karen! You have to do it more than once for it to become a habit so I’m guessing you’ll be coming on loads of sunrise hikes after the Camino!
So excited for your upcoming adventure!
Not loving your chances, but all those other crazy morning people on the Camino may force it on me! I have seen some great posts that show people seeing the sun rise up in special locations on the Camino and I think, oh, that looks lovely, I should do that. Then I laugh and think we’ll see. Who knows. They do say the Camino changes you, it may change me from being a night owl to a morning person. The only issue with this is that I have to start drinking cocktails earlier! ;P