One Step Camino

Pilgrim’s reflections – 2

Written by Janet

Our pilgrimage was thoroughly enjoyable. Walking and sharing stories/experiences with lovely people who ‘get grief’ was therapeutic. I cried at times but laughed much more. Simply being with others and enjoying beautiful scenery, abundant wildflowers and the kindness of strangers was such a blessing. Tea and cake at various cafes was a welcome bonus.

I took 3 stones. The first was left in a little cranny in the crypt at Finchale. I laid it with gratitude (and tears) for all that has been and the life and love I shared with Ron my late husband. The stone was riddled with holes which appropriately mirrored the fragility I often feel. It also was a marker of ‘here I am’, not where I would have chosen to be but recognising the choice to own and accept life as it is now. Some words from a R4 Thought For The Day were and are in my mind – “acknowledge the past, re-think the present and re-imagine the future“. The context on the radio was nothing to do with bereavement but they resonate with me in the journey of grief.

The second stone, along with a bunch of wildflowers, was left in the churchyard at Escomb as per pilgrim tradition, laying down a stone of sorrow at the end of the journey. I guess it’s like another marker that is both an end and a beginning. It symbolised a laying down of the fear and anxiety that at times can overwhelm. I will still struggle at times but my intention, as best I can, is to embrace the future and trust that “All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well”.

The walk itself was a powerful image of simply putting one foot in front of the other, taking life one step at a time. The only step you can take is the next one. I stumbled at one point when one foot found a hole and I almost went headlong flat on my face! I managed to stay upright and was mindful of Psalm 37:24 ” though she may stumble, she will not fall, for the Lord upholds her with his hand”.

The third stone is kept as a reminder of the pilgrimage and the special time shared with an amazing group of friends.

Acknowledge the past,
re-think the present and
re-imagine the future

Pilgrim’s reflections – 1

What a special time we had in Durham! Pilgrims have been sending me their reflections, so this is the first in a short series of posts written by those who took part.

From Kate

Here are my snapshots of what made the pilgrimage special for me.

John J and his staff.. icon of pilgrimage, sturdy and determined, gathering fresh flowers along the way.
Birds – birdsong in the woods and hedgerows, the skylark over the wheat field, watching the woodpeckers at the feeders in the car park at Spennymoor.
And (almost) seeing a kingfisher! Do you know the poem by Anne Lewin – Prayer is like watching for the kingfisher? I always think of it when I’m near a riverbank where a kingfisher might be spotted. (See below)
Following the river and lunch on the river bank at the old Sunderland bridge. Ducks on the river.
Durham – the Cathedral towering over the river and the view of it from the bridges.
The Cathedral itself – I could have spent hours there.. saved for another time.
The wide horizons! Distant views, especially on the last day and from the Auckland tower
The horses in the fields along the way (I used to own a pony, haven’t had the chance to stroke a horse since I was a teenager)
The little church at Whitworth and rhubarb marmalade, still to be enjoyed.
Lighting candles at that incredible Saxon church at Escomb.
Laughter….

I could go on but I don’t think you want a list of everything we did! I found the whole experience incredibly uplifting.

Kingfisher prayer

Prayer is like watching for the
Kingfisher.
All you can do is
Be where he is likely to appear, and
Wait.
Often, nothing much happens;
There is space, silence and
Expectancy.
No visible sign, only the
Knowledge that he’s been there
And may come again.
Seeing or not seeing cease to matter,
You have been prepared.
But sometimes, when you’ve almost
Stopped expecting it,
A flash of brightness
Gives encouragement.

(Ann Lewin)

Candlelighting in love and memory – at the little Saxon church at Escomb, at the end of our pilgrimage

More pictures and reactions coming soon!

24 miles, 3 days, 14 pilgrims

We did it! Our 3 day pilgrimage is complete. 24 miles, 3 days

Here we are at the door of a church, ready to get our “pilgrim passports” stamped. Unfortunately in this case we were unsuccessful, as the church was closed.

We completed our route at Escomb, an 8th century Saxon church, which happily was open. We finished with a short candlelighting service, remembering our loved ones and laying down our pebbles and other objects representing particular burdens or sorrows.

Then back to the pub for a good meal followed by celebration, well-earned.

What a wonderful experience! More pictures, story and reactions will follow in due course. Everyone has returned home now. We all need a rest!

In the meantime, our leftover food was delivered by John, our faithful support team, to an appreciative foodbank.

The cross of St James

Our final evening snack. A genuine Santiago cake

Escomb church. We made it! Tired but deeply satisfied.

A blessed pilgrimage

Journey’s end!

Another day journeying through lovely open countryside, until finally …..

Day 2 – Houghall to Whitworth Church

Written by Karen

Over the stile, and into the woods we went – 14 pilgrims full of hope for the day ahead with the steps of doom distant both in miles and memory.

Along the way a stop for a cuppa, and for 3 peeps something a little stronger then a delightful picnic stop by the river before reaching, at around 4pm, our destination of Whitworth Church where a reading took place and 15 stamps were added (2 for Abi for her children).

As we walk we all of course carry the memory of our loved ones, and for most we are also carrying an object to place at the end of our pilgrimage tomorrow. It will be an emotional day but we will be in supportive company.

Ps. The Steps of Doom are a flight of 240 steps in the woodland. As we’re going north to south, we descended. If you walk in the other direction, it’s a long ascent. Hence the locals giving it this name

Day 1 from Finchale to Durham!

A blessed day’s walking! Durham cathedral on the horizon. Magical inside! All walkers safe & sound; and we only got (a bit) lost once!

Lunch was a picnic in the cathedral Close. Then off inside for our pilgrim stamps, and quiet reflections at St Bede’s tomb and St Cuthbert’s shrine ( and a rush to the loos!)

The river walk away from the cathedral was picturesque plus …

Tapas!

Everyone arrived safely. Lots of getting to know each other conversations, greeting old friends and making new ones.

We’re not in Spain but in honour of the fact that we are walking the Camino Inglese – the English way – which has Santiago as its distant destination – we enjoyed a Spanish tapas meal to get us started, including Rioja, manchego cheese, iberico ham and much more.

I discovered just how much 15 people can eat in one sitting when it is tasty! These plates had to be refilled!

Settling and sorting

John and I arrived early. There is lots to sort out – food, finalising rooms, going over the pilgrimage route. As we are ferrying people with cars, the parking needed checking. Google maps didn’t give us all the info needed and plans have been adjusted.

And now we are just waiting for everyone to arrive. Excited? Apprehensive? There are some health and mobility issues, so not all 15 will walk, at least not the full distance. That’s okay. Sometimes as wounded walkers through life we need a lift, and our pilgrim walkers are likewise welcome to literal lifts.