Day 109: The peaceful woman

Day 109 - Monday, July 23rd 2018: Tarbert to Beale Point 19 km / Total 2240 km, 17°C, rainy

When was the last time I slept in a bed, alone in a bedroom? I think it was 2 counties ago, in Mayo at Delphi. It was just a month ago. It seems it's been years!

I left Tarbert by the little road, not the Wild Atlantic Way but the coast road, which sometimes is actually closest to the coast. A woman told me I was going the wrong way because the ferry was on the other side. Yes, but that's not where I want to go. Just a few minutes later, another woman, in her garden, asked me "Are you alone ?". Yes, I've been on my own for four months now. She told me to be careful. Of course, I am always. These women gave me a lot to think about. Do I seem to be lost? And do I seem to be a young innocent girl? Because I'm not lost nor a poor little girl. Or do they just naturally worry for any alone woman? What does it say about the image of women? Would I be asked these questions if I was a man?

Maybe I just think of that because I'm a feminist. But in any case, I would answer that being a woman is not a problem. 

If you worried about your daughter, teach her how to defend herself, instead of protecting her keeping her locked at home, so that she would be able to enjoy life and be ready to face it.

A woman can be strong. Physically, carrying an 18 kg backpack, and walking 20 km per day. And mentally, being alone for several days, facing hard situations, etc. I don't think a woman has to be a poor little creature. And they can do as well as men, and even better. 

Of course, I don't meet a lot of women walking on my way. In fact, I don't meet people walking on my way. 

And finally, my morning walk was absolutely peaceful, almost no car, trees, green fields, little breeze, perfect temperature, exactly the walk I was looking for. 

It changed in the afternoon. After Ballylongford, there was a bigger road, with a little bit more traffic. And rain. Soft rain. Less pleasant. Fortunately, it didn't last, and I quickly got dry. 

After Asdee, I left the main road to Littor Beach. I really like ending my day walking in the sand. I got down the Shannon River to Beale Point and waited until there were no more people walking their dog in the area to build my tent, hidden in the sand dunes. Flat ground, no animals, no noise except the sound of the waves. Perfect. 

Suddenly, around 9 pm, I was laying in my sleeping bed reading, and a dog barked at my tent. I just heard his master calling him back. Then after 10 pm (and sunset), as I was falling asleep, people came around my tent, walking their dog. I just heard them saying "sorry" and they went away. Peacefulness is a hard thing to find!