Friday, May 25, 2018

Big Thank you

A big thank you to all who sponsored me on the Pigrimage to York Minster from Filey.  I raised a total of £2,470 for The Candlelighter’s Trust which is fantastic and will help so many families of children living with cancer.

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Job Done!! Welcome to The Minster

At last, The Minster in sight.  Started at Stockton on Forest, Liz and Carole both did a second day in support of our efforts, much appreciated.  Also met with 6 Pilgrims from Stokesly for the final day.  Visited Holy Trinity, Stockton on Forest, St James’ Murton, St Thomas, Osbaldwick and St Aelred’s Tang Hall.  Prayed for these churches and their congregations and were well rewarded with food and drink to sustain us.  A wonderful greeting awaited at York Minster where the newly refurbished East Window was unveiled in all its glory.  More tea and cakes and we were welcome to stay for evensong.
 Ever present God, our friend and our brother, we thank you for the journey of friendship and fellowship which we have made.  Remembering the people and experiences we have encountered along the way, may we go forward in faith to love, praise and serve the Lord.  Amen

Friday, May 11, 2018

Penultimate Day

Harton to Stockton on the Forest.  Today’s journey took us over some good farmland where we were fascinated to see potato planting in progress.  A super welcome at the church of St Mary in Sand Hutton.  The scones with jam and cream went down a treat and a cuppa is always welcome.  All served from the newly completed kitchen area, a very beautiful and practical addition to the church. Interesting to note that behind the church is the ruin of the original church of St Leonard built around the same time as Reivaulx Abbey.  Some of the ruin crumbled away in an earthquake in 2008 but was restored with the help of English Heritage who, we were told, were very helpful.  We arrived at Stockton on the forest in time to eat our lunch (eating seems to have been quite a feature).  Feeling quite excited as we anticipate the last leg of our pilgrimage tomorrow.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Ascension Day

God’s Glory seen in this bluebell wood streaked with the morning sun.  A day of beauty seen in violets, primroses, wood anemones, wild orchids, copper beeches,birdsong and so much more!  We met at St John’s Church, Whitwell on the Hill receiving a warm welcome and a slice of the most delicious cake ever!  Cooler again today and nice breeze.  At Howsham another warm welcome and scrummy biscuits (I could make a habit of this).  A detour to visit to the Archimedes screw at Howsham Mill was well worth the effort and then on to Harton.  The end of the day prayer was given next to a gypsy encampment on the roadside.  A brilliant day - the end is in sight!

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Malton to Whitwell on the Hill

Today much cooler and Margaret from St Michael’s Church, Malton pictured centre, joined us as far as Welburn, together with Carole (Hunmanby) and Linda (Reighton).  Our pilgrimage today took us through some welcome shade onto the Castle Howard Estate and the Howardian Hills.  Some stunning scenery and the first day without any real hills!  A great welcome was received at the churches of St Michael’s, Malton and St John’s, Welburn, and prayers were said for the communities of both.  Up from Welburn to The Exclamation Gate overlooking the Beautiful Castle Howard Estate.  Then down to Whitwell on the Hill to finish our day at St John’s.
Grant us, OLord, the spirit of unity that we may dwell together in your love and so bear to the world the ointment of your healing and the dew of your blessing:  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Half way!

Today the 8 Pilgrims including my friend, Diane who joined us for the day started at Rillington Church and walked up to Thorpe Bassett and Rowgate where we rejoined the Wolds Way once more walking the ridge.  The hills were really challenging in the heat but the views were stunning and the fields are changing almost daily.  We left the Wolds Way and came down the steep Settrington Bank (glad we were walking down).  We visited the beautiful All Saints’ Church where prayers were said before we ate lunch by the stream sitting on the grassy bank (picture).  Too soon it was time to move on and into an area of meadowland complete with sheep and lambs all enjoying the glorious sunshine.  We arrived at St Peter’s Church, Norton and celebrated reaching the halfway point of our Pilgrimage.  The ladies of St Peter’s kindly fed and watered us with scones, chocolate cake and tea or coffee.  It was very welcome, thank you.  Chauffeur Chris managed to arrive just as tea was being served (he usually does).

Monday, May 7, 2018

Day 3 Sooo hot hot hot!

Lovely send off from St Hilda’s Church, Sherburn after a hymn, readings and prayers.  Once again a steep climb to return to the Wolds Way and the ridge above the A64.  Today has been very hot.  We came across 2 gentlemen sitting backs against the fence just enjoying the wonderful view and putting the world to rights - priceless.  Later we took our lunch break in a small paddock which was full of wild orchids and cowslips, it was really pretty.  Then it was downhill (thank goodness) back to the A64 through Knapton and on to St Martin’ Church on the beautiful Scampston Estate.  Church was locked so we took rest in the shade of a tree in the churchyard and prayed for the church and it’s community.  Then only about another mile to Rillington where retired vicar Pip Sharpe offered everyone much needed refreshments.  Thank you Pip.
Blessing for today:  God of our pilgrimage, bring us with joy to the eternal city founded on rock and give to our earthly cities the peace that comes from above, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.