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.

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

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.

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!

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

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).

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.

Second Day Done!

Another sunny day.  Communion service led by Nancy at the lovely, well cared for, welcoming Willerby Church.  Thank you everyone for a good send off.  From Staxton in the full noon day sun up and up we slogged onto the ridge above the A64 but oh the views!  Along the Wolds Way and back down to Ganton.  The church there has a beautiful garden of reflection in front and we spent a happy lunch break overlooking it (picture of Nick and Sue enjoying the view).  Onwards back uphill and along before descending to Sherburn.  The ladies of the Methodist Church there were so welcoming and Provided  not only a much needed cuppa but sandwiches and cakes too.  Bless you ladies, thank you.
We thank you Lord for this day; for all we have seen and heard and experienced.  We pray for all those we have met along the way; those from whom we have received blessing and those in need of a blessing from us;  those we remember and those we have forgotten.  For ourselves as we eat and rest. Amen.

First day done!

A great send off this morning at St Oswald’s, Margaret and her helpers provided coffee and cakes to speed us on our way.  Rev Nigel led us in a hymn and prayers.  Thank you to everyone for coming along to wave us off.  Methodist church next.  Another great welcome as usual.  From there up Muston Road to the Wolds Way turning up to the field at the back of the school then directly across the main road through another field and back down into Muston where, oh dear the church was locked.  We did, however pray on the porch for the church and it’s community.  After Muston we rejoined the Wolds Way through Stockendale and continued to the road where we deviated down the (very steep) hill into Flixton past the Saw Mill and onto the A64 arriving in Staxton at 3.15.  3 of us were to catch the 3.45 Coastliner back to Filey - well no, the driver told us the bus had been rescheduled and no way could he take us!  Revert to plan B well that is if we had one.  Luckily we were rescued by one of the walker’s son who gallantly drove out from Brid to pick us up.  Thanks Andrew.  Arrived home at 5.45 to a welcome cuppa.  Hope my feet have cooled off before tomorrow.

Day 1

Feeling excited! What will this week bring?  I don’t know.  First blog, first pilgrimage.  Thank you for visiting my blog, hope you’ll be with me at the end of the week.  Lucky with the weather. Archbishop John Sentamu pilgrimaged round the diocese and left us this prayer at the time.  It seems apt today:
God of our Pilgrimage, thank you for your Friendship.
Be the Fire Leading Us.
Be the Star Guiding Us.
Be the Shepherd Calling Us.
May the Holy Spirit Strengthen Us.
For All that Lies Ahead.
May Your Holy Angels Surrounding Us:
Watch, Defend, and Protect Us
Against All Evil. Amen

Wary Pilgrim

Tomorrow I shall exchanging the wellies for walking boots and joining a 60 mile pilgrimage from St Oswald’s Church, Filey to York Minster, a pilgrimage organised by Nancy and John Eckersley.  The pilgrimage will finish with a service to celebrate the completion of the refurbishment of  The Great East Window.

Several people are raising sponsorship for Christian AidPilgrimage. I am walking with them and raising money for the Candlelighter’s Trust.

I am feeling a tad apprehensive at the moment but when we get going tomorrow I’m sure I will be ok.    Prayers and hymns at St O’s first to send us on our way.  The church will be open all day until 5pm when volunteers will be happy to show you round and provide light refreshments.  We hope you will call in.

Hoping I have the energy to update you daily on what happens along the way.