I finished my pilgrimage as scheduled, on the morning on Saturday 12 July, when I hiked the last 7 miles from my campsite in the corner of a large windy field shared with a few sheep. Got to John O’Groats up there in the northeast corner of Scotland before the businesses that sell trinkets and refreshments to the tourists opened. But not before the tourists had arrived. I asked a woman who was part of a bus tour group to take my photo standing next to the iconic sign that I’d walked 75 days reach.
Read moreTicking Clock
The clock is ticking on this pilgrimage as it winds down. I’m writing from a campground in Melvich on Wednesday. And, God willing (everything is God willing), I will walk into John O’Groats on Saturday morning.
So many of my thoughts have been turning to some sort of summary, or gathering together of loose threads, or working out what I have learned from this 1,000 mile walk the length of the United Kingdom.
Read moreUpdate on this Pilgrim’s Progress
As of today, Monday 9th June, I am in the city of Carlisle, Cumbria, in way northwest England. About 10 miles of walking from here is where I cross the border into Scotland.
Seldom Grow in Sanctity
Thomas à Kempis, in his classic “The Imitation of Christ,” has this interesting line: “Few are improved by sickness; so also they that go much on pilgrimage seldom grow in sanctity.” (Book 1, ch. 23)
Read moreSpiritual Ages and Stages
“Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God”
Hebrews 6:1 (NIV)
The central idea here seems to be that there are, if you will, “ages and stages” in the Christian life. There are elementary teachings, and then there is maturity. There’s a foundation, and there is what is built on the foundation.
Read moreMeditation
Colossians 3:2-3: “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
There are times we Christians forget this, both in our pilgrimage life and in our other life.
Read moreLEJOG Pilgrimage Church Visits on Wednesday 23 April
There’s a saying, isn’t there, that timing is everything. And God’s timing is the sweetest.
Prayer of One Who is Living in a Strange Land
Far from my friends and acquaintances, I find myself in a strange land where as yet I know but very few people. But I know Thee, O Jesus, Thou Son of the Highest, as my Immanuel, my Brother, and my best Friend. Therefore I now turn to Thee, and humbly beseech Thee to have mercy upon me and not forsake me till I return to my home, yea, till I come to Thee in Thy heavenly kingdom. Thou hast given to Thine own the comforting assurance: ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ Fulfil this promise in me, and let me always and everywhere feel Thy gracious presence. Amen.
Starck, Johann Friedrich. John Frederick Starck’s Daily Hand-book in Good and Evil Days; Containing All the Meditations and Prayers of the Complete German Original Edition, Together with an Appropriate Selection of Standard English Hymns for General Use, for the Afflicted, the Sick, and the Dying. Translated by Joseph Stump. Third edition. (Burlington, Iowa: German Literary Board, 1904), pages 599-600.
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I will probably be using more from Starck’s book (with abbreviated citation!). It was extremely popular among Germans and German-Americans from the time it was 1st published in the 1700s. The first edition of this translation was in the late 1800s. It shows its age, but Starck’s faith shines through.
Starting with the First Step
My first steps were actually leaving home with Ann on Sunday afternoon as she drove me to Dulles Airport. But today I took the first of my footsteps carrying me the length of the United Kingdom.
After eating that modified full English breakfast I walked town a bit waiting for 11:00 bus, which left station at 11:08 and drove me back past Lugger Inn. We arrived just an hour later in Land’s End. (Ten miles or so took an hour due to several stops, and to the narrow teisting roads – some are really only a lane and a half wide, have two way traffic, and random parking half on and half off the pavement. Reminded me a little of driving in New York City except that everyone here seem much more polite about waiting for the other driver and taking turns.)
I walked around Land’s End for about an hour. With the several kindred other people who were also visiting. Took some photos. Met an old friend from Peru who said we should take a photo together.
The famous signpost behind us says it’s 3,147 miles to New York. Which helps explain the polite drivers maybe.
They have a nice exhibit about LEJOG end-to-enders in one of their buildings. All about the history of doing it, and the variety of ways, as well as various records set. It only attracted one tourist while I was on site.
I started walking at 1:18 pm. Walked through farmland most the day. And arrived at St Buryan around 3:15. The Anglican church there is open all day to visitors, so I went in and prayed, took a few photos of the interior, walked a little of the graveyard, and then sat on a bench outside having snacks.
I haven’t seen a device like this in a church before:
The signpost outside said it’s 5 miles to Penzance. I set off at 3:43 for the second half of today’s walk and got back to the inn at 5:45.
After dinner at the Inn, I went to a grocery to feed myself the next few days.
And, so, goodnight.
On the doorstep
Well, I’m packed up. And getting closer to being ready to go. Was packed up near a week ago. But had to unpack for various reasons.
Read more
Pathology: the Study of a Path 