After my big start to training during a week of leave from the ‘day job’, it’s been down to earth with a bump this last week. Working 9 to 5 doesn’t sit terribly well with training for long walks, but I managed to get out Monday - Wednesday and managed about 5km each day.And then … oh dear, the weather! Having got a little damp on Wednesday lunchtime and sat around steaming in the office for the whole afternoon, I took one look at the bucketing rain on Thursday and decided that Noah had the right idea: stay inside and seal yourself in! After all, I thought, I’ve got an exercise class booked for this evening and that counts as training too … but, sadly, it seems that once I’ve started procrastinating, I just keep on going! Although, in my defence, I missed the class because I worked overtime to help a client out, so it’s not so bad.But then Friday was grim as well, so another training day lost. I’m pleased to report, however, that I managed to get myself out of bed nice and early today (Saturday) and set off before 8am for a 16km / 10 mile hike round and about Gillingham. After the torrential rain (and before the next forecast weather front comes in), it was a beautiful early autumn morning. As I watched my feet on the way up Bowridge Hill, a tiny, perfect, cream and black snail crossed my path and Robert Browning’s lines popped into my head:The year’s at the springThe day’s at the mornMorning’s at sevenThe hillside’s dew-pearledThe lark’s on the wingThe snail’s on the thornGod’s in His heavenAll’s right with the worldIt was a perfect little moment (even if the season wasn’t quite right!). But I quickly remembered that my perfect moment with all the world feeling just right isn’t the same for everyone: that, however peaceful and serene I might be feeling, there are countless people out there enduring war and hunger and pain and disease. So I took that as my cue to pray for all those on my growing Camino prayer list - I may not know the names of every person in in the world in want and danger, but I can pray for those I DO know and it WILL make a difference.
After my last post, I was feeling inspired by my successful (and not TOO challenging) 25km hike to and from Stourhead. Knowing that I won't have the luxury of putting my feet up for a day or 2 after such a long walk once I'm on The Way, I gritted my teeth and got myself out for another long walk the following day, Tuesday. It was another gloriously sunny day and I thought I would stay closer to home this time and explore a few of the places in Gillingham itself that I had yet to visit properly.A blissfully shady wander through Withywood got me off to a deceptively easy start and was followed swiftly by a cheeky stop off at Waitrose for a Hobbit-style second breakfast of toast and coffee ... and the all-important inspection of the 'facilities'! But then it was off in earnest to get some proper miles in again. The breeze on Bowridge Hill was most welcome, as was the shady stretch by the ford. Then I decided to find the route across the fields from Milton to Wyke Road that had been described to me ... I have no idea if that was what I found, but wending my way along lanes and paths eventually brought me back to town by way of Wavering Lane West.By the time I reached home, I had managed 15km - not as far as on Monday, but definitely more than enough for a second day! Most importantly, I think I have now identified all the soft spots on my poor feet, so at least I know where the Compeed needs to go.Some shorter walks through the rest of the week have set me up well for keeping the training going over the next month and a half. And all of the walks have got me thinking about Jesus' instructions to his disciples, as He sent them out 2 by 2; I'm carrying an awful lot more than He suggested - a backpack (christened Nobby!) with 2 changes of clothes, a spare pair of flip flops for when my feet rub and 2 walking poles, not to mention the various other 21st century 'necessities' like a phone and some soap! I wonder whether travelling lighter than that is sensible, or even possible, these days. Perhaps I should content myself that, in the spirit of those first Apostles, I am simplifying my life to the minimum I can. Will that lack of material encumbrances help me come closer to God as I walk? Time will tell.Buen Camino!
On Thursday 22 August, I finally began my training for the Camino in earnest. I’ve been trying to do some longer walks over the last few months, but it’s all starting to seem a bit more real now that I’ve let you all in on my secret! So on a day of sideways Cornish mizzle, my Camino buddy, Amanda, and I tried out our fully loaded packs and our paces along the Bude canal and a stretch of the coastal path - I’m pleased the report that God has kindly given us matching paces, so we seem to walk well together at a similar natural speed. A total of about 17km or 10.6 miles left us both feeling pleased with our progress.In an effort not to lose momentum, today, August Bank Holiday Monday, I set out from home to see how Stourhead and back felt. I’ve done it before, but this was the first time in my proper walking shoes and with my pack. I can’t say I enjoyed the last stretch from Milton back to Gillingham, but all in all my feet and hips (the 2 things I’m most worried about) are holding up OK at nearly 25 1/2km or 15.9 miles. The big test will be whether I can manage another long walk tomorrow - if you would be so kind, remember me and my feet in your prayers tonight!And don’t forget to let me know of any names or situations you would like to add to my Camino prayer list - I prayed for the 5 people on the list so far as I went today and will continue to do so as I train and then walk my pilgrimage.And many thanks to Silton church for the hospitality of your lychgate on the way there and back !Buen Camino!
On 18 October, Rev’d Philippa will be flying out to northern Spain to walk the final 120km of the Camino Frances - the ancient pilgrimage route from Saint Jean Pied de Port in France to the Archcathedral Basilica of Santiago de Compostela. If you would like prayers to be offered along the route - for yourself, for someone dear to you or for a particular situation or concern - please do get in touch, by e-mail on revdphilippa@gmail.com or in person at church.She also hopes to post regular updates about progress as she goes, so keep checking this site for news!
