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The Way of St Oswald
  • Chris Headon
  • Chris Headon

The Way of St Oswald

A 16-day adventure by Chris Read more
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  • Chris HeadonThe Way of St OswaldTraveler
    East Coast Mainline1Waving off the walkersLooks familiar!

    To the edge

    June 25 in England ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    A very calm day today, starting with an uplifting, reflective time with Jesus this morning 😊
    After breakfast, I went up to the church in Belford, as there was a while to wait for the bus. I met a friendly lady there and we spent a really lovely hour chatting together.
    I caught the bus to Beal filling station and took a slow walk down, crossing the A1 and the East Coast Mainline, to The Barn at Beal... a coffee shop, recommended by Barbra, which didn't disappoint. I then wandered down to the end of the Causeway, from which I will start my crossing at 6am tomorrow. I met a cheerful group from various parts of the USA, who were waiting to cross, to complete St Cuthbert’s Way. We chatted for a while as they worked out the best time to set off. I waved them off and may even see some of them tomorrow 😊
    I am now sitting at the side of a car park, surrounded by the most beautiful wild flowers dancing in the breeze, waiting to be picked up about 4pm and taken to my B&B for the night.    Read more

  • Chris HeadonThe Way of St OswaldTraveler
    A lone curlew to see me start
    Footprints on the sandsThe 'Gloopy bit' not so gloopy as last year

    Shore to shore

    June 26 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Thank you to those of you who were praying as I walked across to the island in a potential thunderstorm this morning, and most of all thanks to our creator God who is in control of the weather and walked with me!
    A few rumbles when I was midway, but miraculously I was calm (and most of you will know that one thing I'm not, is calm, in close proximity to lightning!)
    Apart from said rumbles and the rather eerie 'song' of the seals, the crossing was quiet. I knew at least two people were ahead as I was following their footprints.... but nobody in sight. The strong wind from yesterday had died down.
    I walked along the causeway until I reached the point where the Pilgrim path departs. Shoes and socks off at around 5.40am and a lone curlew to wave me off!
    Looking ahead was quite sunny. I didn't look back at the threatening skies behind too often, but when I did, I was blessed with a rainbow.
    I took almost exactly an hour, shoes and socks back onto clean feet at around 6.40am.    Read more

  • Chris HeadonThe Way of St OswaldTraveler
    St Mary's Holy Island
    32This was only half finished last yearFrom Gertrude Jekyll Gardens4Sitting eating my ice cream and had a visitor1And, of course, Cuthbert’s Island

    Lindisfarne

    June 26 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Lots to fit in today, to make the most of my short time on the island...
    Morning prayers at St Mary's; morning prayers at St Cuthbert’s centre; a walk to the castle; a visit to Gertrude Jekyll Gardens (another recommendation from Barbra); morning coffee at the home of a lovely couple (Chris and Jill) from the St Cuthbert’s centre; lunch; dinner; ice cream! It may only be a small island, but I've somehow walked 6 miles since I arrived this morning! 😅
    Tired now, and it will definitely be an early night. (The thunder has just started to rumble round again and the mist is closing in very quickly 🙏)    Read more

  • Chris HeadonThe Way of St OswaldTraveler
    St Cuthbert’s Island (at low tide)

    I live in faith and hope

    June 27 in England ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Thank you for following me right to the end of this journey. Thank you to those of you who've prayed and encouraged (both on here and in private messages).
    I've tried to be honest about things and not pretend everything is easy. There have been many challenges on this pilgrimage; some obvious physical ones with the temperature, and some spiritual and personal.
    But pilgrimage isn't meant to be easy; it's meant to challenge and inspire. God has challenged me, but He's also inspired me. My prayer is that through sharing some of these things, He has, (or will) challenge and inspire you. It's about making space for God and not putting our hands over our ears when He challenges us!

    Psalm 84v1 (NLT)
    How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
    God has reminded me as I leave for home that He is just as present in my flat as He has been where I've walked, and on Holy Island; just as present with you as with me!    Read more

    Trip end
    June 27, 2026