• Barbra DepledgeBarbra’s Peak OdysseyTraveler

    Day 2

    May 14 in England ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Today got off to a funny start. As some of you will be aware, I deeply lament the absence of acknowledgement of many of the significant Christian. So when at home there are half a dozen or so local Anglican churches I frequent on these occasions. Accordingly I carefully researched and found the parish church here in Matlock had an Ascension Day Eucharist. I was perplexed that it said 7.30 a.m. to o 8.30 p.m. on their calendar which seemed a bit extreme but as it appeared on the calendar BEFORE their 9.30 a.m. I assumed they meant a.m. WRONG! I had a very pleasant stroll through the Park in early morning sunshine to find the place all locked up. 7.30 p.m. is nearly my bedtime so I've celebrated our Lord's Ascension on my own.
    Being all ready to roll and as the sun was shining I decided to pay the money to catch an earlier bus (twerly for oldies), got dropped off in the middle of nowhere where I ended yesterday. The first bit was my navigational challenge but once I found the correct starting point all went well.
    The sun was glorious and as I ascended onto the plateau of the White Peak, the views just got better and better. After the cross country but, it was easy walking for a while on the High Peak Trail and mainly quite quiet. The last bit into Hartington was more challenging but I made it in good time for the hoped for bus. Arriving in Buxton to catch the Transpeak bus it started raining torrentially and then turned to sleet. The bus was 25 minutes late so I huddled in a bus shelter with a number of neuro diverse and special needs folk so an opportunity to reach out and offer interest and concern(!).
    My reflections and conversations with the Lord have focused in two main areas. Firstly the need to remain flexible and adaptable (I do SO like to know what's happening when and not have my plans disrupted. Secondly some of you will know I have a bit of a hobbyhorse about how we love to quote Jeremiah 29.11 (I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you .....) neatly ignoring verse 10 (after the 70    Read more