We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go
Always a little further; it may be
Beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow
Across that angry or that glimmering sea,
White on a throne or guarded in a cave
There lies a prophet who can understand
Why men were born: but surely we are brave,
Who take the Golden Road to Lindisfarne.
The Golden Journey, James Elroy Flecker
It’s been quite a while ... far too long – “ Events, dear boy, Events !! ” – but the Pilgrims are gathering for their next Pilgrimage.
Originally planned for September 2020, we are ‘good-to-go’ a year later.
We start on Sunday 5th September
Out Rambling on St Cuthbert’s Way
The
Way bridges the national border between Scotland and England, with a 62
miles cross-border route linking:
·
Melrose in the Scottish Borders, where St.
Cuthbert started his religious life in 650AD; with
· Holy Island ( aka Lindisfarne) off the Northumberland Coast, St Cuthbert's eventual resting place and his original pilgrimage shrine.
For Geographers:
Melrose is about 40 miles SE of Edinburgh, 70 miles NW of Newcastle and 350 miles N of London.
As
most people do, we will be walking the Way from West to East.
This chronologically fits in with St. Cuthbert’s life, but more importantly means … the Wind is usually behind you !!
This should be an ‘exhilarating’ walk – Pilgrim Code for we climb about 2,000 metres (7,000 feet) - over 6 days …
The Way starts at the gates of the
magnificent 12th century Melrose Abbey in the Borders town of
Melrose.
From Melrose, an invigorating climb takes
you over the iconic Eildon Hills whose triple peaks are one of the best loved
landmarks in the Scottish Borders.
And ends at Lindisfarne, a tidal
island reachable via a paved causeway only when the North Sea tides permit.
As always, Lady Piper is Director of Logistics and the Reverend Susan is i/c Statistics.
Preparations have been going well.
The Training Walks in the last few months have got plenty of Miles in the Legs:
And the Accommodation is booked:
We will be staying a mile or so from Wooler at Homildon Cottage, High Humbleton.
And going out each day.
And the Essentials are in place:
The Ironing Board & the Iron.
And THE Shirt ironed !!
But there is one other ingredient that all Pilgrimages MUST have …
Without Friends:
no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods
Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle
This
walk’s Pilgrims include plenty of those familiar faces from Italy and Spain.
For some days are never to be forgotten
And there will also be walkers on their first Pilgrimage.
As usual, there will be a Daily blog on:
RamblingWith Ric.blogspot.com
Where each day I’ll be telling you about some of the Pilgrims … …
Not least those whom I first met 50 years ago
this October !!
Nigel & Roger
The Fitz Economists: Class of '71
#ForeverYoung
Until then,
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again,
May God hold you safe in the palm of His hand.
The Pilgrim’s Prayer
Pilgrim Ric
PS
Pilgrimage isn't a
speed competition or a race.
Rather it's a pathway of brotherhood and universality.
Pilgrim
Inscription on Triacastela church on the Camino.
Pilgrims know that we walk together in the Spirit of :
“ As always, All welcome !”
And in that Spirit I am delighted that we will be joined - out on their first Pilgrimage - by five Best Friends.
They too have been putting in the Hard Yards to prepare for The Way … …
Enzo & Henri
But as for others …
Well, they have been Going BIG & EARLY on the R&R !
No Surprise There
!!
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