Today I completed the fourth day of my hike. Tomorrow is the last day. So far I have walked roughly 62 miles (that includes climbing an extra mountain when I got lost. Sometimes I don’t know when to quit. I thought I might be going too far!) And tomorrow the hike is about 12 1/2 miles. It promises to be beautiful. The weather has been perfect. Not too hot and not too cold.
I’ve learned a lot hiking by myself in the hills, valleys, mountains and BOGS of Ireland. First, I don’t really recommend solo hiking. It’s always good to have a buddy in case something happens. But this is what I needed to do at this time and my knapsack carries almost everything known to man in case of emergency. And then, there is my mobile phone that works practically everywhere.
However, I wondered about myself when I realized today that I was talking to the little man! It reminded me of Tom Hanks in that old movie, “Castaway,” where he talks to the basketball named Wilson. I, too, have named the little man. His name is, well, Little Man.
When you are hiking by yourself you can’t imagine how happy you are to see Little Man! Especially after having some confusing experiences wandering around looking for the right way to go.
And he hides! He waits until you’re just about at the moment when you think you should turn around and look for the right way and then suddenly he appears around the corner, or on the step, or on a rock in a wall. He’s so funny!
I started calling to him. “Where are you, Little Man? Oh, there you are! Thank goodness.”
How are you supposed to find Little Man in all this Irish greenery?
Even my shadow wants to be like Little Man!
Only once have I found him lying down on the job taking a nap.
Do you think Little Man is like my higher self? Or, as Ramakrishna says, like the divine mother who plays hide and seek?
I just want to thank the local Irish people who maintain Little Man so we can all enjoy the Sheep’s Head Way walk. It’s no small job for them and I’m also grateful for all the people who allow access across their property. I’ve climbed over so many stiles that I’ve lost count. (By the way, the first picture at the top is of Little Man at the bottom of a stile. That was a new trick. And, I had to laugh because I couldn’t find him until I got up on top of the stile.)
Alright, Little Man, where are you going to lead me tomorrow? Back to Bantry, I hope!
Retreat in the Heart of Darjeeling 
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