It was a long, hot climb up to the monastery and at first we wondered if it was worth it . We were greeted with an open door . Stepping inside the cool dark interior and turning again , we found ourselves looking out into this sunlit scene; green and vibrant. And suddenly the landscape … [Read more…]
The sun pours through the unglazed window lighting up the lichen covered stonework, drawing you towards the Cross. And for a time all is stilled. Jesus, light of the world, illumine the darkness. Jesus ,Word of God, speak peace to troubled hearts. Jesus, Saviour and Lord , heal us and draw us into hope. Jesus … [Read more…]
On misty days, the hills seem to grow larger and more imposing as you walk. The air is cool and sounds are muffled. Walkers keep to the narrow ways; those well-trodden paths which will lead them out of the valley. I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come?My help comes … [Read more…]
The view is not always what we expect. Tangled trees give way to open space ; scudding clouds dance above glistening water and suddenly we notice buds of Spring blossom. So too, hope can take us by surprise. Where are you aware of hope at the moment ? ……………………hope does not disappoint us, because God’s … [Read more…]
Once a clipped hedge in a formal garden, now these tall yew branches arch over the path, creating a tunnelled walkway. Some days there may be very little light under the trees. Other days you find yourself walking in dappled sunlight. There may have been times in the past year when life has felt like … [Read more…]
Through all the changing scenes of life, In trouble and in joy,The praises of my God shall still My heart and tongue employ. ( Hymn – Tate & Brady 1696) Autumn colours appear and cover the paths in red and copper , gold and bronze. Wonderful as it is , there’s always a part of me that … [Read more…]
Snow changes even the most familiar walks. The swollen stream under the bridge looks cold and uninviting . The ground hard underfoot . The light glistens on the snowy trees and highlights the rise of the steep steps climbing upwards. Its not clear where the steps lead, but footsteps show that someone has already walked … [Read more…]
Pausing for a while to look over the wall and look up to the Coalport incline, it’s difficult to imagine this as the busy centre of industry it once was. The incline was built to transport heavy goods from one canal to another. Now it remains as a reminder of those who worked here and … [Read more…]
It’s been a long February and though Ash Wednesday was just yesterday, still there are moments when it feels like it’s been Lent forever. It’s as though something strange is happening to our sense of time this year. Days merge, one into the other, and one month can feel very much like another in this … [Read more…]
There’s something about walking. Unlike cycling or jogging, both of which seem too much like hard work to me and which require more skill, walking is a form of exercise I can do and actually enjoy. Walking is an (almost) all-weather activity provided you have clothes to suit and comfortable footwear. Taking the plunge outdoors … [Read more…]