Today might even be the best day of my journey so far…expectations dropped, confidence flying, and connections going off on all levels…

Expectations dropped

Today’s destination was Burton-Upon-Trent. I’d never been there and everyone I spoke to pulled a face when I told them I was heading there to spend a few days with my beloved wife. But hey, it’s about being together, so I ignored the suggestions to go elsewhere, and have stayed open.

So far so good. And anyway, of course, beauty is everywhere, especially with people in my life, like my wife, that enhance my capacity to see that.

So, with a break in the weather (I spent two fulls day in the tent this week listening to rain patter on the canvas, which is beautiful up to a point), I started out early, packing up and setting off by 6.30am. It was a gorgeous morning and I breathed it all in as I got out of the tent, feeling a joy deep in my heart to see the sun breaking through the clouds.

It was a 30km+ road day, all except about one kilometre of it, which meant I didn’t think the day would be as exciting as it turned out to be. Expectations took a good pasting today – always a wise happiness move.

Confidence flying

I felt strong today too. After so much rest and an easy road, the kilometres clicked away, and I was feeling joyous and confident. I even decided to resurrect my sign, after sharing just yesterday my struggles around what I may represent to people, especially with my sign.

However, I reversed my sign today, because it’s double sided and whilst one side reads #JourneyAboutHome, the other reads my classic #JourneyForHappiness. I’d been mixing it up depending on my mood before I became too self conscious about it. And today called for the happiness side…and that’s what I got in the form of some sublime connections.

Connections going off on all levels

First, it was Stuart who, after connecting to my journey, wanted me to put Dobin Horse Lane on the map. Then it was Toby, a builder by day, but Mountain rescue volunteer and avid rower (plans to row the atlantic in 2026), who stopped to connect and offer me water and food.

Later there was Carl, a cheerful man on his way to meet a business client, who loved what I was doing and wished me the very best on my journey. And several others too, that I chatted to whilst taking a pit stop in a cafe and elsewhere, including a wee froggy fella sitting atop a post box fishing.

And, despite all these moments taken to connect, I made it to Burton-Upon-Trent in less time than was predicted by my online mapping system. I was trumping along the road, high on happiness of both the deep and light kinds.

I even made it to town just in time for Jummah. Passing the local mosque, I dug out the best clothes I could find from my large pack and gave my blessings to the Almighty.

And here I am now with a coffee in the system waiting for my beloved…can life get any better…yes, definitely, just keep an eye, two eyes, a heart, mind, body, and soul, on what matters the most…