Journeying | Pilgrimage Holidays | Christian Walking Holidays | Christian Short Breaks

Back in the twelfth century Bernard of Clairvaux said "You will find something more in woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters." He was one of the most influential medieval Cistercians who was at the heart of the first wave of expansion of the Cistercian monastic Order as it spread out from its origins in Citeaux. There were once many monasteries and hermitages on The Way of St David. Now, only the names remain but I like to remember Bernard at Monk Haven. Bernard was called on to mediate in the political and church affairs of the day and he wrote a wide range of theological texts. But it is…

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Today we saw the spectacular coastline on the Way of St David and I was reminded of these beautiful words: By his word the heavens were made, by the breath of his mouth all the stars. He collects the waves of the ocean; he stores up the depths of the sea. (John 1:3) This passage demonstrates how it is as impossible to comprehend God as it is to count all the waves on the ocean or the stars in the sky. This seems particularly apt on the Way of St David as it is such a good place to sit and observe both. There is no better place to observe the waves as they come from the Irish Sea. To watch…

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Today we start a pilgrimage to St Davids, the smallest city in Britain, named after the sixth century patron saint of Wales. Over the next week we'll share some of the sights and readings from the 100km walk, starting with a poem by Peter Millar: Lord of every pilgrim heart, you are beside me and before me on the way, surprising me through your Spirit at every turning on the path. Yet, like your disciples on the Emmaus road, I often fail to recognise my companion. In this morning hour, and in whatever the day may hold, open my eyes to see your presence, that I may celebrate with you the gift of the morning, O Lord of the unexpected. …

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Thirty years ago, today... Saturday June 17th 1989 and a small group gather in the evening light at a remote hillside chapel on the fringe of the Snowdon mountains. A little over a year from its founding the first Journeying (then Pilgrim Adventure) pilgrims were about to set off along the pilgrim's way. The following morning, I waved the group off and watched them for a while as they made their way across the parched grass and down the narrow valley, east of the great cone-shaped hill that had sheltered us the night before. "Keep the hill to your right" a helpful bystander called. It was a fine mid-summer day, sure to get hot before we rendezvoused again at camp number…

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We are delighted to welcome two new members to the Journeying team; Sally Welch and Duncan Weaver: Sally Welch is the Vicar of Charlbury with Shorthampton and Area Dean of Chipping Norton. She has been walking the pilgrim routes of Great Britain and Europe for twenty years, sometimes alone or with members of her numerous family, sometimes leading groups - always with enthusiasm for the adventures the journey will bring. She is the author of several books on pilgrimage and labyrinths and the editor of BRF (Bible Reading Fellowship) New Daylight Bible reading notes. Duncan has had a varied and interesting career in which he has worn several uniforms and is currently the chaplain at Bloxham school, a co-educational Anglican boarding school,…

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As a past leader with Journeying and now an Associate, I was pleased to be asked to contribute an occasional blog from where I am now living - in Southern Spain, Almeria to be exact. What a beautiful part of the country it is and, being lucky enough to be retired, I have the time to explore it and get to know some of the people that I meet on my travels. Last September saw myself, my husband and our dog packed into our car along with many sundry belongings, as we set off on our long journey to our new home here. It wasn't the first time we'd done it, as we had visited our holiday apartment here…

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For the last few nights there have been clear skies with still warm evenings. It is most unlike Wales, which is usually characterised by leaden skies, cold rain and wind. Last night though it was quiet and I looked up into the sky where there were countless stars shining brightly. Paul encouraged the early Christians by comparing them to stars. They must not have felt that they were countless though as they faced isolation and persecution, but as they looked up they must have wondered about the endless nature of God. The light that we can see from these stars started its journey across the universe at the time of the first Christians and the light that is being emitted…

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I have had a couple of weeks to reflect on my first ever holiday with Journeying, so a good time to pass on my thoughts as a newcomer. It was not a great start as a Welsh pothole gave me a puncture, requiring an RAC-towed detour to KwikFit (other tyre dealers are available) in Barry. This, plus heavy M4 bank holiday traffic, saw me arrive at Nicholaston just as dinner was being served, which was very welcome as I had not been able to get a proper lunch. The friendly company and relaxed atmosphere soon made me forget that day's frustrations, and evening worship followed by a walk up Cefn Bryn in the setting sun began to put me in…

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