Homeward bound reflections

So how am I feeling about this pilgrimage walk which I have been massively privileged to undertake? It has certainly been a tremendous joy and blessing. The walking has been wonderful amidst scenery, wildlife and points of interest that never cease to stimulate and provide food for thought.
Some of the themes I have been reflecting on with the Lord I have mentioned here and most are ongoing.
I have had time to begin to process two losses I have experienced in recent weeks in my extended family - my sister-in-law and a second cousin of whom I was very fond.
Other issues are more personal and not for mention here.
Would I do something similar in the same way again? There have certainly been huge benefits in being based in one place in terms of cost (one supermarket shop, all food prepared myself, no cafe trips - well OK, just one for a cuppa and teacake during a bus layover!!!!) and comfort. I have truthfully missed a little the moving from place to place to reach a final destination I get from an established long distance route with infrastructure in place. I love all the planning and preparation that involves (down to where I'm going to buy my pint of milk for cuppa), doing it my way not to someone else's formula!
I've always been aware that the reason I have loved walking designated multi day routes is that I like the sense of having done the WHOLE of something. I have invariably picked those that can be completed in 7-10 days as well as some shorter ones. In small tasks, we can often complete them fully but in the bigger things of life - parenting, being a good neighbour, most careers etc - we could always have done more. Of course we must strive to achieve a "good enough" outcome but the fact often remains we could have done more, done it better. So completing every bit of a route has given me a deep sense of achievement.
This week I completed what I set myself to. I have walked about 65 miles over the 5 days with bits and pieces before or after the main hike but it still hasn't felt quite the same. Definitely something there to seek the Lord's help and healing for!
I must conclude by reiterating how very blessed I am to have this opportunity - to have a husband who lets me go, to have the resources to pay for it, to see places many people can't , to have the physical health to walk, to see such an unending feast of the natural world - the hills, the birds, the wild flowers. But most of all to know my Lord "walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way" * and I can still enjoy his company in this special way in this season of my life

Hymn "He lives, he lives" words and music by C. Austin Miles 1912Read more