Blog (Latest News, Info and Updates)
Pilgrim (a new poem from the Divine Loves collection)
Sunday 2nd June 2019
David Arkell
Pilgrim Wondering where it may be found – Space we long to call a home; Nest in which the self unbound Truly feels its essence own. Searching often far and wide, Ceaseless quest for restful dell; Put the bitter trials aside, Calm the soul’s disturbing well, Seek the stillness of the core, Inner sanctum’s deep tranquillity; Learn to shut the outer door Barring shallow superfluity. Striding up to giddy heights, Mountain peak and coastal scene – Preview of celestial sights, Frisson pure, vista serene; Beauty on such stunning scale, This could be Elysium’s field, Were it not for human wail, Cleaving sword of conflict’s wield. Here we have no resting place,1 Just a worldly passing-through; Fragile body, name and face Closely known by precious few. Never fully comprehended, Lonely in the secret parts; Wanting needs left unattended, Minds unblossomed, broken hearts. Looking for the real abode, Where that lies who…
The View from Spain
Saturday 25th May 2019
Sue Peachey
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…
Like Bright Stars
Thursday 23rd May 2019
Iain Tweedale
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…
Refections on Gower
Tuesday 21st May 2019
David Heathcote (with photos by Huw Riden)
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…
Blaeberries and Salmonberries in Springtime
Thursday 16th May 2019
Paddy Allen
I have been having fun racing against time to capture blossom before it bursts into business-like growth. You make lovely discoveries. I thought the vibrant little green twigs pushing up on the woodland floor and on the hillside was evidence of remarkably prolific bloom. Then I suddenly found that they had sprouted small smooth leaves hiding small claret coloured heathery bells. I checked my app and, hey presto! Blaeberries! I had never found their flowers before. Looking forward to the crop and space left in the picture for the berries. And another pretty purplish flower a bit like mallow but not. So I checked the app (wonderful technology newly acquired) and discovered it was a version of rubus spectabilis (salmonberry…
Free Day Walk to St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales (June 1st)
Wednesday 8th May 2019
Iain Tweedale
Join us on our next day walk at St Davids on Saturday June 1st. Starting Point: 10.30am, Ty'r Pererin Education & Pilgrimage Centre, St Davids, SA62 6PD. Return at 4.30pm by bus from St Justinian. Our 8 mile journey is organised jointly with St Davids Cathedral's Ty'r Pererin Education & Pilgrimage Centre and begins in the tiny city of St Davids founded by the patron saint of Wales in the sixth century on a promontory pushing out to sea at the furthest point of south west Wales. This foundation became a major centre of Celtic Christianity and an important place of pilgrimage. Today the lovely Cathedral of St David lies in a little valley in what is perhaps the most…
Journeying on Gower
Tuesday 7th May 2019
Huw Riden
So, we woke up this morning, ate a full English/Welsh breakfast in our delightful residence, Nicholaston House Christian Retreat and then headed off to the beach. Dave and Dave walking and talking - a most Journeying activity! As we walked along the beach we were looking for a little church hidden in the trees at the far end. As we journeyed closer we could start to pick out the shape of the little church. And then we found it. Our route home led us past more wonderful views. We arrived back at Nicholaston House with aching feet and stomachs. But after a delicious meal, a scrub up and a time of prayer I took this snap from the bedroom window. A great day.
Walking with a Friend
Thursday 2nd May 2019
Sue Degnan
After a frustrating or hectic day at work, it is a great blessing to have a dog to walk – especially in good weather and light evenings! A chance to get out into the countryside or local open spaces and realize there is more to life and to remember that ultimately God is in control. It is great to get right away – on a Journeying holiday – but it is also good to take a mini-break each day to give thanks for the beauty of creation and faithful friends.
Pilgrimage to Rome
Monday 29th April 2019
Iain Tweedale
I have just finished watching the BBC series Pilgrimage and it led me to re-read Gerard W Hughes book In Search of a Way about his own pilgrimage to Rome in the 1970s. I thought some of my observation on his words might be of interest: The beauty and peace of the countryside you walk though takes hold of you like an inner cleansing of the mind and senses and you begin to notice simple things, the rocks, the flowers, the birds as though you are seeing them for the first time, learning new spiritual truths on the way. Silence and space: the silence on the path is not the noisy kind of silence you keep when in the city, where…
Diary of a Human Rights Monitor
Sunday 28th April 2019
Rosemary Clarke
This time last year I was about to leave Israel. I'd spent three months in Palestine as a human rights monitor with EAPPI (Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Palestine and Israel), a World Council of Churches' initiative. And what a time it had been! I had never been to the Holy Land and I had little idea of the challenges facing many Palestinians. Based in Yatta, a city of some 100,000 people south of Hebron, I was part of a team of four. Abed, our Palestinian translator and driver helped us to understand our role and carry out our work. This was varied. Our brief was to provide a protective presence when necessary and to follow…