I have just returned from the 'end of the world' and was going to write my daily update but that can wait.
I'd rather write some words of gratitude for the safety of my sister Cathy Cooper, husband Tony, and their children, Georgia and Adam who I'd assumed were enjoying their five day return trip to the Cinque Terre - where Audrey and I enjoyed a wonderful holiday not too many years ago.
A few hours ago I sent a text to Cathy to say hi and see how their break was going in those enchanting villages on the coast of Italy. Nina and I have just walked up and back from the lighthouse at Cabo Finesterre and I was telling her about the beauty of the Cinque Terre - as Finisterre reminded me of it in some ways - and that my sister and family were there.
I returned to a reply from Cathy telling me the news of the devastating flash flooding and mud slides which have claimed lives and all but washed away the village of Monterosso with the neighbouring village of Vernazza being evacuated by sea. You will no doubt be aware of this, but I had no idea of these events - I've not looked up any news while I've been on The Camino.
Cathy and family have been staying in Vernazza - and their clothes and passports are still there. She has told me in her text that purely by chance and good fortune they headed out to have lunch in another village just an hour before a wall of water came through Vernazza. And thankfully they went east and not west to Monterosso.
This was on Tuesday (it's now late Thursday afternoon on this side of the world) and they don't know when they will be able to get back to Vernazza but are hopeful it may be tomorrow.
Cathy told me they have heard some frightening stories but also many stories of kindness and generosity, as is the way of these terrible events that bring out the best in people in the worst of circumstances. And they have been shown enormous kindness too, saying it doesn't hurt to be travelling 'con bambini'. God bless them, they're still following my blog when they can get a connection!
So this update is just to say how blessed we are that they are fine and what a tragedy it is that lives and livelihoods - and perhaps whole villages - have been lost in the magical Cinque Terre.
Hopefully they will make it back to London as planned on the weekend and I will see them as planned on Sunday afternoon (Adam's birthday). I'll be sure to give each of them a big hug from all their family and friends who read this blog.
I spent some time this afternoon 'at the end of the world' counting my many blessings. Now I have one more to add to the list.
Take care. And I'll tell you about Day 3 on The Camino Finisterre very soon.
J x
4 comments:
J... Incredible to hear this news from you at the end of the world.
I haven't seen anything at all in our papers about this, and had no idea!
What a tragedy for the people of the Cinque Terre?
Thank goodness Cathy, Tony, Georgia and Adam are safe!
Take care
Julie xxx
What awful news - it brings it home when it touches someone close to you - likewise I had no idea of this!
Thank goodness Cathy, Tony, Georgia and Adam are safe - what a terrible tragedy for the people of those villages.
Stay safe
Pam
x
Not a word here either Jay. Thank God for this very big mercy. Lovely to hear of the kindness they are receiving. they all love Italy so much Counting one's blessings is the only way to live. You have reached the ends of the earth in safety and great happiness and I can't wait to give all of you a big hug. Hope to hear of your happy re-union in London. Love Mumxxx
Hi fella, I've tried a few times to post to your blog but no success these past couple of days. I could say its due to the poor connection and perhaps it is in part but I suspect some level of operator error as well. So welcome back to Santiago from the 'end of the earth' - its been inspirational following your Camino and over these past few days has been a very welcome distraction from our surrounds. I'm sorry that you would not have received our congratulations at the end of your 'first' Camino as we were indeed in a state of flux at that time.
Yesterday I posted on Facebook so people would know we were ok if they knew about the floods in Italy and that we were here. Your blog however has proven to be a far more effective communication tool with family so thank you!
Today Tony was able to retrieve our belongings - without being too dramatic it was perhaps a bit of a miracle of sorts. He was allowed to travel on a ferry back to Vernazza which carried only workmen, tools and supplies for the clean up. He managed to get through the carabinieri check points and emergency check points without question despite the 'solo residenzi' announcements - I have put it down to his inherently Mediterranean appearance.
So we are here in Portovenere enjoying extraordinary weather - its impossible to believe what we witnessed two and three days ago. Now we look out on blue skies, sunshine and calm waters. We stay here courtesy of a guardian angel of sorts - Cristina -- we are staying in her home and she will drive us to Genoa tomorrow. Thankfully the roads reopened today - we are incredibly lucky.
So now the people of the Cinque Terre will proudly join those in North Queensland, Brisbane, Christchurch and Japan amongst other places as they bravely rebuild their villages, lives and livelihoods. Let's hope they receive not one more drop of rain and they can get on with their rebuilding.
So we will look forward to seeing you in London on Sunday. It is really hard to believe that you've been gone for only a month - so much seems to have happened in the time you've been on the Camino.
What an extraordinary achievement. I'm thinking if I started a 'keep Jenny's blog going' page on Facebook there would be many followers!
I won't risk this connection for another second - am hoping this is fifth time lucky! Rest up on Saturday and we will see you Sunday.
Cathy, Tony, Georgia and Adam xxxx
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