Time has really flown over the last few weeks and I can’t quite believe that, this time next week, I won’t be a trainee pilgrim anymore, but an actual one! So this weekend’s preparation hasn’t involved much walking. Instead, I’ve been gathering some final prayer requests and starting on the part of travelling that I dislike the most … the dreaded packing.I shouldn’t complain really - I first packed up my backpack (known for confusing and arcane reasons as ‘Nobby’ - it’s a long story!) a couple of months ago. It seemed the easiest way to ensure that I was training with the right weight on my back. A few refinements have happened since then and I suspect it’s now a little heavier than the original 6.5kgs (that’s 14.3lb in old money). But on Friday, I unpacked the lot and repacked it to make sure I really had included everything I’d thought I needed and that I’d done so as efficiently as possible. I’m taking a few extra supplies out for my Camino buddy, so finding some extra space was essential.Now, of course, I’m worrying about all those last minute things. Are 3 sets of underwear and 4 pairs of socks really enough? Could I squeeze in another warm layer just in case? How many blister plasters is too many?The Gospel reading for today, most appropriately, is the camel failing to go through the eye of the needle. I always feel hugely awkward manoeuvring around with Nobby on my back. It’s fine when I’m out on the road or on a deserted path, but it’s not so great when I’m in busy areas like airports and on buses, both of which will feature in my journey out to Sarria on Friday and Saturday. I’m sure, by the time I arrive, I will have huge sympathy for that poor camel trying to squeeze through a narrow space festooned with bags and packs and goods of all kinds. Perhaps Nobby can be a symbol for me of all the encumbrances I go through life with and a reminder to shed what I can and travel light on my pilgrimage through life, as well as on The Way.My next missive is likely to be from Gatwick airport as I get ready for my evening flight. Then I hope to provide an update each day of my journey.So, until then, Buen Camino!
We have eight bells at St Mary’s Gillingham, which are rung regularly.Bell practice is on Monday evenings from 7:30pm to 9pm. The bells are rung for the 10am Sunday morning Eucharist from 9:30am.We have a small friendly team of ringers, but need a few more people to join us.If you would like to learn to ring (age from about 11 or adult), why not come along to one of our practice sessions to see us ringing and find out what is involved?Bell ringing is good fun for people of all ages, as well as being a service to the church. And it’s excellent exercise!Possibly you are already able to ring and would like to take this up again and join us.If you are interested, please contact the Ringing Coordinator, Alan Jeffs, on awjeffs@btinternet.com.
After a ‘weekend off’ my training last week and despite a bit of a cold, it’s been back out in the lovely autumnal weather this week. The friend that I will be walking with is now out in Spain and well on her way along the Camino Frances, so there has been plenty of inspiration to get me out of the door.Yesterday, the break from the relentless rain of the last week or so gave me a chance to attempt a new route, so I set off across the fields to Motcombe just before lunch. The temperature has definitely dropped since I was last out on a long walk, so I was grateful for my extra layer … and starting to wonder if maybe I need to take a little more clothing with me when I go! It was good to get off the roads and pavements for a change, although I was reminded of how much more concentration it takes to walk on an unpredictable, uneven surface … thanks to the heifers who had free-range through most of the fields that I passed through! I’ve also had a salutary reminder that what looks like very coarse grass can just as easily be low growing reeds and that means added squelch!!!After Motcombe, it was back onto roads - initially a nice, quiet back lane, but soon a rather faster and more winding road, up, up and up into Shaftesbury. Some judicious crossing over to walk safely round the bends and allow access to verges saw me into town for a much need refreshment stop. I may also have had a sneaky mooch round a couple of bookshops and there may have been a good reason for the increased weight of my day pack on the way back!The falling temperatures and one beautiful golden tree along my route reminded me that the year truly is drawing along. The Creation season that we have been celebrating, not least in our harvest festivals, comes at a time when the fields are being transformed from their summer glory to the more sombre, earthy shades of autumn. But the woods and trees are just gearing up for one last hurrah of colour before the monochrome of winter. And the light, at least on the few sunny days we have, is transformed into a wash of gold. The year may be hurrying towards the sleep of winter, but the beauty of God’s creation does not fade - it simply changes …"The old order changeth, yielding place to new, And God fulfils Himself in many ways, Lest one good custom should corrupt the world. Comfort thyself: what comfort is in me? I have lived my life, and that which I have done May He within Himself make pure! but thou, If thou shouldst never see my face again, Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer Than this world dreams of.“ TennysonDon’t forget to let me know of your prayer requests for my pilgrimage - the list is growing, but there’s always room for more!
For only the second time since I started training for the Camino, I wasn’t alone this weekend! Today was the annual Ride & Stride for the Dorset Historic Churches Trust and our lovely Kate Wickson had planned a nice manageable route around the Shaftebury churches. So it seemed churlish to pass up the opportunity to walk with others for a change!Nine of us met up at St John’s Enmore Green, signed their form and then headed straight over the hill towards St James’. After a brief break to look around and enjoy the organist rehearsing for a recital (including a brief interlude when several of us practised our best twinkle toes routines to the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy!), we headed off uphill again for a coffee break and a chance to look around the remains of Shaftesbury Abbey before carrying on to St Peter’s. Quite by chance, I met up with Keith, who manages their A Church Near You page - having exchanged e-mails once or twice, it was lovely to meet him in person!A final stretch downhill with a stop at the Community Orchard to eat packed lunches took us back to Enmore Green and a parting of ways … until Sunday morning, when we will doubtless mostly find ourselves together again at church.Today has been a taste of how delightful it is to walk with others. Hills seem less daunting and the miles pass more quickly when there are people to share stories with and exchange ideas and thoughts with. A reminder of perhaps at least one of the reasons why Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs, rather than on their own. It’s too easy to get discouraged and to dwell on the downsides (blisters, rubbed ankles, sore knees) when we’re alone - a friendly chat, profound or deeply trivial, helps us take the focus off ourselves and makes the hours and minutes fly by.
