Blog 14

Hymn (sung to “Angel Voices ever singing”) Swifts a-flying, frog a-dying Corn a-sighing, day by dayFeet a-fighting, crows alighting York a-sighting, on my wayHares a-tuning, piglets sunning Let us worship God – today Elders knowing, berries growing Flowers snowing – My! Our GodChurch bells ringing, songbirds singing Nettles stinging, by our God.Thistles hustling, poppies rustling Let us praise the Lord, our God Corn is waving, water craving From our saving … God our LordSheep shorn tightly, heron’s flighty For th’Almighty God our LordChurch clock chiming, poets rhyming Let us sing to God our Lord

BLOG 13

Well, at last I’ve caught up with my writings – I’m actually writing this directly on the computer after having attended two church services this am (at Goodmanham and Market Weighton – more on these the first place later).

 

I delayed leaving South Cave as we had quite a relaxed Sat am and said morning prayer together with my hosts – eventually I left at 10.30 am.

 

The first part of the walk I had done the night before (without the Tombstone), but was hard work uphill, but with gorgeous views back over the Humber. Then I went through some local vales and kept climbing and descending.

 

The weather held out, but was extremely hot – black clouds were gathering close by. I was trying to stop each hour and drank a lot of water. I had a phone call from my next host, David, arranged where to meet him, then later spoke to Daff. As I was climbing I thought  I might have been able to see the towers of York Minster.

Got up the top of a steep climb, panting, still speaking to her on the phone, to be greeted by Richard and his wife, Jen.

 

They’d been trying to ring whilst I was on the phone – and Richard was coming to walk with me – which was nice. Even nicer, was the fact that Jen took off 2/3 of the Tombstone with her in the back of car!

 

Although Richard had his binoculars with him, we didn’t see any interesting birds, but we did have a hare stop right in front of us, before it left us galloping – the movement was completely different to that of a rabbit – I can see why they’re part of the deer family (so I believe). Will my photo come out?

 

We finally descended into Goodmanham, after a few welcome spots of rain and had (well I had) a good pint and a half of cider, at the excellent local pub (In other places I’ve been told there’s no demand for it around here).

 

Richard entertained me with stories about Columbanus, Edwin and a local high priest, Cedwi – or something similar – who spectacularly converted to Christianity. Then founded a church, before going onto York.

 

In the late 1920s, Cosmo Lang, then Archbishop led a pilgrimage to Goodmanham from York – and there’s a window in the church commemorating their journey.

 

More recently, ABp John Sentamu has been doing a pilgrimage tour of the diocese, riding on a tractor with locals, which has been down well.

 

It’s nice to think that I am in such illustrious company; but our modern Abp worked much harder than me – he led pilgrim prayers twice a day as well as walking.

 

So what is the purpose of all this walking? You know part of answer – the reason I gave when starting this blog – but I suspect my answer later on may be slightly different.

 

Looking forward to seeing Daff at York as long as she is well enough to make it.

 

BLOG 12

Well, we all woke up to a shocker this am) – Bill’s crossed the Humber into Yorks. (or did I mean the referendum result).

Will life ever be the same again?

Well, I’ve been to Yorkshire before, but not this part. I was very excited about crossing the Humber Bridge – many photos – well videos on my camera. It was a bit scary, though – I’m not a great one for heights.

 

Great pub/wedding venue the far side, where staff were very helpful to me as I was without a map for the first time ever (Once before I had only a photocopy and got lost!).

A lady called Sue printed off a copy of the Yorks Wolds way for me – I’m doing the first three stages.

Stopped for lunch and a pint at a delightful village called Melton (near Welton!), opposite a church with a pond and a moat. The church was interesting and had some stunning stained glass by both Burne-Jones and Wm. Morris workshop, built by Gilbert Scott I think.

It was beautiful, but somehow the church didn’t inspire me.

 

Lots of small climbing up and down (it is the Yorks Wolds), but with Lincs. I’m out of practice. I had a hilarious encounter with a well-meaning local man who spent 10 mins giving me directions, then changing them so I could walk on the Wolds Way. My head was buzzing and I found a completely different route!

 

Got to South Cave just on time very near where the footpath ended by fluke. I was entertained royally by a charming couple Peter and Sarah Draper; she’s a Primary Headteacher in Hull, he’s a university lecturer and an NSM. They just let me be – I’m now more relaxed. They even did my washing for me!

 

On a more serious point, I think today has marked a change in my travelling – it’s as if I’m seeing the world with new eyes. I wonder what lies in store? I heard “Thought for the day” and felt it was good, given by Bp. Richard; sort of saying we have to work with the shock of the new, but still work together in partnership.

 

But how will it all end (other than with the Second Coming)?

Wait – as we often sing in Taize – and see.

BLOG 11

Today I had only a very short walk to do, but I lengthened it by going backwards! It was planned from Worlaby to Barton-on-Humber, but I finished it with a walk back from B-on-H to Burnham, where my hosts live. The weather was still hot and humid, but I managed to avoid any rain.

 

 I couldn’t bring myself to focus on any psalm, though I read the first few verses of #107, which was similar to 106, but had a repeat refrain. However, a phrase from yesterday repeated in my mind: “walking in the way of the Lord” – it was my idea of the chorus for “Down by the riverside”. I also was struck by the line from the psalm about from the north, east, west and the sea/south – as I was to get my first glimpse of the Humber – the first real estuary I’d seen since the Bristol Channel.

 

I was quite moved to see it – and before it the towers of the famous bridge – I felt I had entered a new phase of my walk. I wrote several cards saying I’m about to walk over the bridge, and that I’m well over halfway.

 

I had a chat with a potato-grower and avoided another nearby crop-sprayer.

Tomorrow is my first day without a proper map – let’s hope I find my way, God willing – down by (and over) the riverside!

 

BLOG 10

Today I left Sally and Geoff who have been marvellous – sally drove me to north of Snitterby (I’ve forgotten the name of the village already) and I fought through corn and nettles to the new river Ancholme – I even reported a footpath near impassable to Lincs council – who seemed to want to know such things.

 

Once on the river, most of the walk was easier, but I still had some difficult bits – I kept trying to sing “down by the riverside” to keep my spirits up. ( I hoped to write a little of the song with some of my experiences for the schoolchildren, but it somehow got lost).

 

Brigg’s best forgotten – full of pubs, chips shops (with chips cooked in beef dripping) and a shut church.

 

When I finally left the river, I had aching feet and twisted sandals – but I made it up to the church at Worlaby on time only to find a hitch-up with my pick-up. After my initial panic, a very welcome Brian turned up to take me home to him and his wife, Karen. Despite being a little bemused by my diet, they coped with me admirably.

 

I was happy to leave my walking experiences – down by the riverside.

 

Mon. June 20th. June Blog 9

I seem to recently have lost the art of meditating/reflecting upon a psalm as I walk; one came up in an archway as I walked to Spridlington from Lincoln – it might have been Psalm 100, but I don’t think so. Four different verses were written over the archways between the nave and the chancel, so it was a good reminder for me not to give up.

 

I think it finished by praising God’s truth and justice and started perhaps with praising God’s creation.

 

As I’ve said before, sometimes I just seem to have to concentrate on the walking – and maybe praying a bit for people if I’m lucky – no holy mendicant poustinik me!

 

It was sad to have had to have left Lee and Clare today; great company and lively fellowship, with deep conversation; but I’m looking forward to meeting Sally and Geoff.

 

I’m still mulling over making new friendships for such short periods of time, and the inevitability of having to leave and move on; such is the joy of “being a pilgrim”. The meeting of people almost seems more important sometimes than the walking, certainly as important.

 

Today was a short distance, but I started late owing to the appalling weather, and managed to visit two bookshops and the cathedral shop on my way out; sheltering as I went. Guess which was by far the worst.

 

It’s not very difficult if I tell you that the manager of one of  the second-hand bookshops said that all the cathedral was interested in was making money. A little unfair, but they (the cathedral)  had next to no theology and no icons, worse than most that I see.

 

This is not the space for a rant about the sparsity of good second-hand theology; but I see it as tragic that cathedrals miss that opportunity following the disaster of the collapse of SPCK. Rant over for the minute.

 

So, out of the rain, I got to Nettleham, and dried of outside a Methodist chapel (Methodism seems to have been really strong in this part of Lincs), which had only just shut  - it was open for prayer for the referendum. I then, surprise, surprise found a pub, left it later, only for the heavens to open again, and so had to shelter in the next pub and of course have another drink – at least the very kind landlady pointed me in the right direction as I had been disorientated in the heavy rain.

 

Later very wet walks through fields to Weltam where I found an open welcoming church.

 

Eventually got to Sally’s and had what I felt was a well-deserved hot bath and a lovely tea. Another lovely couple – watched the tail end of the England/Slovakia match – a goalless draw (always is whenever I watch football).

 

Sounds as if weather is better tomorrow – I hope so – but I feel as if I am back on my way. Humber here I come!

Blog 9

In a Rogation Sunday church I found this response with which I’ll start:

Every day I will bless the Lord

AND MAY THE GOD OF MY JOURNEY

MAKE THE WAY STARIGHT AND FIRM.

 

Today I’ve been staying with Dick and Di Fairhead – a lovely couple – and I walked a little with Dick – they’ve given me much encouragement (and hospitality).

 

I rewrote Psalm 102 – I think on this day. It seems to speak to me for Daff, but I’m not sure she feels the same.

(to state the obvious, clearly the author of this psalm has a very serious illness and presumably expects to die, so the analogy is not perfect).

Here goes…

 

Hear my prayer O Lord,

 Let my cry come unto you.

Let your ear turn to me,

 When I call, hear me too.

 

My days vanish like smoke

 My bones burn like cooling wood

My heart is withered like grass.

 I don’t eat, forget to have food.

 

My days pass as eventide,

 I wither away like grass.

But you, O Lord, are enthroned for ever

 Your caring love will never pass.

 

You will arise and show your love

 For Zion the time is near.

It is time to show compassion

 The nations will come to fear…

 

the name of the Lord, all the kings

 will proclaim your glory.

God will hear the desperate prayer

 God won’t despise our plea.

 

Let me write for a time to come:

 A generation not yet born…

to praise the Lord; God looked from high

 God’s heart from heaven was torn.

 

To view the earth, to hear the groans,

 To set the prisoners free,

His name will be praised in Zion–

For he comes to release me.

 

My strength left out of my life;

 God chose to cut short my days

I said: do not take me so soon.

 For true and just are your ways.

 

You created the heavens in breath

 The pillars of the world, you laid

Yet all will wear out like rags,

 You will change the clothes you’ve made.

 

But You remain the same,

 Your children will live forever.

Descendants established before you,

Your years will finish never.

 

So hear my prayer, O Lord

 Let my cry come unto You.

Let your ear turn to me,

 Heal the world and hear me too.

Blog 8 June

I have drawn a picture not worth duplicating of “Long Hollow” – a path through fields of crops and poppies – stunning vista.

 

An easy day to start – began early and then to HeydonChurch (not open), but sat in porch (near Oakby). It should be quiet and reflective, but unfortunately there’s some agricultural machinery nearby loading muck (I think), making a particularly loud noise when reversing.

 

It’s made me reflect on whether sound is the modern enemy. I’ve lent my second copy of Lucy Winkett’s excellent book to Sue Kipling -  I’ll have to see if Daff can find my other copy.

 

I’ve been reading Psalm 109, which as well as mentioning enemies talks about “walking in the way of the Lord”
(and not walking in the way of the enemy).

When written, it was probably clear who the enemy was, but who is it now – I don’t want to go down the route of attacking ISIS – or any other random killer. I think one of our modern enemies is noise.

 

I can hear the birdsong valiantly chirupping away above the tractor’s noise, singing indifferently. I accept some technology is inevitable – but I’ve been praying for cleaner use of power and energy – each time I pass a pylon. I’m afraid for me, nuclear is not the answer, I know others disagree.

 

And yet, somehow in the machine’s noise there is calm (as in the hymn). I find it difficult to concentrate – but there is calm.

 

I know that when I leave (in fact, the noise stopped as I started packing up) I will hear just the birdsong and how much sweeter it’ll then seem.

 

So, perhaps necessary progress, but we need to try hard to find periods of calm within. It’s like my “poustinia” – we need to find a place of quiet and solitude within our busy lives –even if we’re in a traffic jam , or sitting in a noisy church porch.

 

In an alternative Morning Prayer service I found this opening prayer with which I’ll close; it seems to sum things up:

To work again, a hurrying crowd, exhaust fumes, bus pass ready.

Remember the coffee, need a new cheque book, change the date: …

        In stillness the purple magnolia blooms

 

Amen.

 

Blog 7 June

 First day of real walking today – with the ‘tombstone’ – apologies to Simon Armitage – on my back; my back got used to it, but more difficult terrain today in Lincolnshore – very wet!

 

I’ve decided there’s a worse hazard than bulls in a field (the last bull ran away from me!) – it’s called – I think – triticale… (it’s a type of bean crop for animal fodder). I'm not sure it is after seeing a picture on google, however, whatever.

 

Often I fail to find a footpath, but this one was marked – so I knew I was right – I was fighting my way through the crop about 4 or 5 foot high and it’s like bindweed on the ground, meaning that walking poles were useless. It was really hard going; I reckon it took me over an hour to do a mile (not all through this stuff, thank goodness). Also profuse sweating at the end of it – maybe I am losing some weight. It made sheltering from a nearby thunderstorm and being sting by nettles seem like peanuts (perhaps they’re also hard to walk through?!).

 

I’ve an idea for a theological reflection on it – a retelling of the parable of the seed/sower (in this case the parable of the path) – but you’ll have to wait and see …

 

I’ve had a great time staying in Edenham retreat Centre with Fr. Andy and had a very interesting discussion with him about Forward in Faith and the pain he feels about female bishops. The time was only marred by no mobile signal – so unable to keep in touch with Daff – who is recovering, but very slowly – please keep her in your prayers.

 

Tomorrow staying in Ancaster with Di and Dick Fairhead  - am looking forward to it. Tonight with Chris Atkinson and his wife Anna (well actually staying at her vicarage) in Billingborough where they also have bell-ringing practice on Wed night.

 

I’ve been fed, had a bath, made two mobile calls and am waiting for Anna and a theological student, Myles, to come back from a late governors meeting – they’ll eat later – I ate with father and daughter(!) – a delicious vegan curry.

 

Not much theological reflection today – just hard slog. But did plenty of that on retreat (three parts of an “essay” to come)

Blog 6th June

(1)Today is my first day of travelling to resume my blog - by car, coach, tube and train, then on foot! I am writing this on part 4 of my journey, ie the train!! Ending up at Edenham Regional Centre (ERC), near Bourne. So I'm back on pilgrimage/retreat again - with some misgivings as to Daff's health - but here goes.

(2)Despite what I said in a previous blog, my itinerary stays the same - it's just that parts of Brackley to Peterborough and Peterborough to Bourne remain to be walked, another time.

(3)My days of waiting have been interesting, trying to pretend I wasn't really in Porlock; however I enjoyed worshipping at Alcome twice yesterday and made brief appearances to choir and congregation at St Dubricius. It's made me more aware of subjects for prayer.

(4)Shortly before leaving, I became aware of a retreat house's library book I'd meant to return (whoops!!) - and will return it next week - it's called "Poustinia" by C de H Doherty - it's a spiritual classic.

(5)I must get my own copy, and one to lend - it's about the "Poustinik" - a sort of wandering hermit/pilgrim found historically in Russia - linked with with pilgrimage and driven underground during communism.

(6)A particular type of "Poustinik" is called a "Jurodinia" - one who feels the need to atone (by prayer and fasting) for those who have in the past, called God a "fool". The "Jurodinia" was, near-literally, become a 'fool for Christ'.

(7)Perhaps I need to become (even) more foolish? I will ponder this as I go on my way.

(8)May we all continue to do God's will and to be Christ to those we meet on the way. Amen.

MEANDERINGS OF A PILGRIM (part 1 of 3)

As I spend time in silence and time pushing my body to an extreme (heavy load, tall grass/corn)

I find more and more the need to write; to put some reflections on paper. I am doing this daily (if I can) in my blog – but I still want to write more – so here goes – this form the pen of a man who couldn’t, and still struggles with, see the point of essay writing when he started theological  education.

I think I have something refreshing to say – perhaps in a more liberated form than an essay. (At my boarding school an essay given by a prefect was a form of punishment.

So to pilgrimage, silence and poustinia/ik.

I am very impressed by the opening pages of a book entitled Poustinia  by Catherine de Hueck Doherty

(Collins/Fountain books 1977(75)) which include these words:

“Silence, solitude – in a word the desert -

are not necessarily places, but states of mind and heart” (p21).

The authoress, Doherty, tells of how we can come to God in prayer anywhere – even in solitude in the middle of a traffic jam – it’s a state of mind. And yet hardships – my slog in the wheatfields – can make us more dependent upon God. The other day I was reading of Gerard Hughes dragging his wheeled trolley on a pilgrimage to Jerusalemthrough heavy snow – he didn’t even have the energy to pray. I empathise. I try to pray and to picture situations, read scriptures; but sometimes we just have to concentrate on putting one foot in front of another; and perhaps this can be just as much a prayer as our more formalised headbound intercessions. Perhaps it helps us focus on the God who is

‘both close and distant’ (p19).

We don’t need a mountain-top experience or a pilgrimage to discover this (it could be the traffic jam) – but it helps. Often my walking prayers are reduced to a sense of amazement at God’s creation, wishing I could identify the birdsong, or the tiny flowers I tread underfoot- whilst enjoying the deep silence of the forest or the canal bank or the ridgeway. Different locations, yet similar feelings.

A sense of enjoyment at being at one with creation – and yet so different from the hard slog through the edge of wet cornfields.

I feel the need to write about my loaded rucksack (yet without a proper waterproof) – my ‘tombstone’, to borrow a term from Simon Armitage. This was written before my walking experience of it (though copied up later, after I had carried it). My sense of what was to come was justified, but over- exaggerated –you get used to your loads.

Despite the lack of a mack, or perhaps because of it, there is something special about trying to carry all your needs on your back. Of course, there can never be everything, I am not carrying a tent or a sleeping bag, but we can try. In one of wet cornfields I had the satisfaction of putting on waterproof trousers  - in this case I had the right gear. But I’m not trying to talk about survival or good hiking techniques, I’m the last to do that, but about our relationship with God

The true poustinik (one who lives in a poustinia) would leave everything behind with provisions for just one day (p39) as Christ taught his disciples to.

I have more than enough provisions for one day, but that’s not the point – the point is to survive on one’s own, but also at the hands of others’ hospitality (as I am just experiencing). Doherty doesn’t develop the point here, but it is a lesson I am already learning.

Some (including my wife, Daff) might think that I am too quick to depend on others, but there is something quite humbling about receiving others’ hospitality; some incredible thoughtfulness – particularly in dealing with my awkward diet. A wise host, Rachma, said that it must be quite difficult being a pilgrim, moving on from one place to another and never being at “home” (though of course that was before the journey’s interruption), and having to continually receive. For too many of us it can be as difficult to receive as to give.

Finally, before I restart - a brief spiritual insight

(derived from Gerard Hughes: Walk to Jerusalem)

“Christ is greater than all my stupidity and sinfulness”.
Gerard Hughes wrote this as he experienced Easter Sunday worship on his way to Jerusalem; he had a sense of the thinness of the air (ie closeness to God - not altitude!) and of being with the saints.

I pray that as I resume, not only does Daff recover her health, but that I get closer to God
in companion with the saints, and realise not just my stupidity and sinfulness, but Christ’s greatness.
May I experience Christ in all I meet and reflect, as best I can, in human weakness, his glory. Amen.

On the merits of walking backwards - blog continued from Porlock!

Many of you will know that I have now had to temporarily suspend my walk; whilst my wife Daff recovers from illness back in Porlock (where I am writing this). She was in hospital in Northampton for 3 days - excellent care - and while she was there I walked a little - but not far - always trying to be within a phone call from the hospital. This was an attempt to redeem myself from the day of her admittance, when a friend’s friend - Jill - had to take her in and when I got the phone call I was lost - about 3 hours away from my car!

My friend there, Sue, suggested a walk by a reservoir - which would have been my destination from her house - but it made more sense to do it the other way round and meant that it would give Sue’s two miniature poodles a well-deserved walk.

We walked together for a short distance, rested and chatted, and then said goodbye as she returned (with dogs) to her car and left me to walk (the wrong way - Westwards) towards her Rectory in Great Brington.

Predictably enough, the phone call from Daff came not long after - saying that she was now free to be discharged  - so I managed to get Sue to pick me up earlier than I had intended from Brixworth church - near Spratton on my itinerary.

So - I walked far less than I had intended, backwards - and met Sue at the church rather than at a choice of 5 pubs (it was very hot and I was thirsty) - but the church was delightful. It was very interesting architectually (parts of it Norman/Saxon). If I can get it put on the blog, I have a postcard of a fantastic “Celtic” eagle carved in stone. The church was also decorated ready for the Queen’s birthday with flower corgis, horses and pigeons!(??is HM a pigeon-fancier?).

I felt suitably refreshed and encouraged - so it was worth walking backwards away from the pub when spiritual reawakening awaits you.

It has spurred me on towards my destination as it could easily have been a Lindisfarne eagle - with only a little stretch of the imagination!

So let’s each keep going and walking in whatever way we can

Bill.

PS Daff was ready and waiting by the time I got there

LAST BLOG – for a bit

I can’t find the text of the blog I wrote a couple of days ago – there’s a surprise – but many of you will by now know that Daff has been taken ill and is recovering in Northampton Hospital.

This means that the pilgrimage has been temporarily suspended – and this blog – until Daff comes out and I have had a chance to take her back to Porlock.

Who know how things will continue.

Sue, my current landlady, helpfully pointed out that this was all part of pilgrimage – backing it up with an Anglican reflection on Joshua 24 which I referred to in my sermon at her church this am.

It was all about the fact that God's plan isn't necessarily the same as ours!!

Will keep you all informed, but assume the itinerary needs to be torn up and started again.

Please keep Daff in your prayers

(and also my Mum, suffering from sciatica).

Bill (the currently suspended pilgrim)

Sermon

Dear Blog/Blogee

This isn't quite what I delivered, but it's roughly similar.

I spoke this at Harlstone, one of Sue Kipling's churches at a Benefice service:

This comes with the last blog for a while ...

Now I know that you are a man/person of God - said about Elijah by the widow

Yesterday in a pub between hospital visits,

when I heard the news of the death of Muhammed Ali; I crossed myself - why?

In a sense each of us "is the greatest" - the person God meant us to be.

What do I mean, given humility of Jesus

(NB not Jesus meek and mild - that's Victorian claptrap)

Back to lectionary readings - link of numbers and waiting

3 years of waiting for St. Paul

3 times for Elijah to lie on the dead widow's son

BUT not in the gospel - that widow's son healed instantly.

But, Jesus did go into the desert/wilderness for 40 days

 - as preparation.

All waiting in their walk with God

My interrupted pilgrimage (Daff being ill)

I've got to wait.

God may have other plans for me/us (ref commentary of Sue's on Joshua 24).

We all have to wait upon God

So that then others can say - this is a person from God

You are the person God meant you to be

So - get up, wait - and go on God's walk.   Amen.

Walk 16

June 1st.  Wed. Walk 16

Today walked from near Kilmington – from a church near the canal to 3 miles south of Brackley – a place called Croughton.

 It started off well – canal and footpaths; and a nice pub lunch. Then it started to go wrong; I tried to cross an airfield which was closed off. Eventually I went right around it ( and its old sign warning people about the official secrets act!) and then had to cross a main riad and the motorway – I ended up doing about ½ mile progress in an hour.

Eventually found a nice bridle path to the Blackbird Inn at Croughton where I sheltered from the pouring rain and entertained the local bar-propper-uppers by telling them about my pilgrimage. It was only when picked up by Daff that I realised how ill she was. Was it food-poisoning, we then thought?