Blog (Latest News, Info and Updates)
Good Friday
Friday 19th April 2019
Paddy Allen
Most precious Lord I saw them nailing you to the cross. The tangle of limbs and grumpy voices, The workmanlike grunt of a man Doing one more of a row of jobs, The tearing of rough iron through your flesh. I looked into your suffering eyes As I approached with my small bundle Of woes and paltry sins, Almost as if I’d come too late – You seemed so busy with your agony. Yet there I stood, Sick to death in the trap of myself, And your eyes In their weariness past understanding Gently drew me Inviting me to put my bundle down. But I recoiled. Me! I loved you - How could I add to your load? And still your eyes drew me firmly, Till I saw that I was expected, That, like it or not, My sins had already…
Inspired By The Journey
Tuesday 16th April 2019
David Gleed
Journeying has just published Inspired By The Journey. This collection of poems, stories, writings and illustrations has been contributed by guests and leaders who have journeyed with us on holidays over the past few years. The contributions are inspired by travels in the spirit of pilgrimage, to beautiful and sometimes remote parts of Britain and Ireland. If you would like to download a free copy please click on the 'View More" button below and then click download here. Once the PDF document appears, to download it click the downward arrow at the top right of the screen.
Day Walk to Tintern
Saturday 13th April 2019
Iain Tweedale
We had a great day walk to Tintern and the Wye Valley today. Lots of sunshine, views and good company plus some poetry by Wordsworth: "Therefore am I still A lover of the meadows and the woods, And mountains; and of all that we behold From this green earth; of all the mighty world Of eye, and ear, - both what they half create, And what perceive; well pleased to recognise In nature and the language of the sense The anchor of my purest thoughts, the nurse, The guide, the guardian of my heart, and soul Of all my moral being." (Tintern Abbey, 1798).
The Burren, Co. Clare
Thursday 11th April 2019
Paula J. Lee
I knew I wanted to go to Ireland, and I knew I wanted to travel with a small group with a pilgrimage bent. I sat in front of my computer in Denver, Colorado in the winter of 2011 and started researching my options. I discovered Journeying, and was intrigued by the description of their trips and approach. I ended up choosing the trip to the Burren Area of County Clare, and it was a very good choice. I met Cate and Steve at Shannon airport, piled into the van, and we were off. Everyone was welcoming; there were two other Americans, and the rest of the folks were British. The long, guided walks each day were just challenging enough, and…
Day Walk this Saturday (13th April) - Tintern Abbey and the Wye Valley
Wednesday 10th April 2019
Iain Tweedale
When do people long to go on pilgrimage? In April says Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales. With spring in the air, we gather at historic Tintern Abbey before setting out in a spirit of pilgrimage to explore this lovely part of the Wye Valley immortalised by Wordsworth's poem that showed the importance of nature to Christianity in the Romantic movement of the early nineteenth century. Along the way, we'll walk part of Offa's Dyke, discover Brockweir village with its whitewashed Moravian Chapel on the banks of the river and walk up into the green pastures beyond. The Walk at seven miles is of medium length with moderate terrain involving some rocky section which can be slippy underfoot if it's wet.…
Pilgrim Diary
Monday 8th April 2019
Iain Tweedale
A group from Journeying set out for a short holiday in the Brecon Beacons In Wales. John Muir, the founder of the National Parks movement in the US, once said: "Keep close to Nature's heart and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." This is what we did, camping in the heart of this beautiful national park. The holiday had spectacular mountain scenery, waterfalls and secluded wooded valleys and the Holy Spirit was the theme. We followed the spiritual significance of water from the springs and lakes in the mountains down the fast owing streams to the famous waterfall country, which has the largest concentration…
Hiraeth
Friday 5th April 2019
Alona Harris
Hiraeth – a longing of the soul to come home. When I first came across this word, I felt that is it! That describes how I feel when I come to Wales. But then as I read further, it seems that most feel the definition of hireath cannot be translated easily, or at all, into English. Over many years of traveling to Wales with the Pilgrims, then the Journey folk and on my own; I feel a strong affinity for the country and its’ people. It actually starts with the landing in Ireland during the long slow descent through the most luscious green valley; cares, worries and any mental distractions are left behind. Then…
Creation in all its Glory
Tuesday 2nd April 2019
Adele Trapnell
“Praise to the holiest in the heights and in the depths be praise”. This line from the well-known hymn is the essence of what Journeying means to me and brings to mind my first ‘Pilgrim Adventure’ in June 2002, as well as my most recent in April 2014. My first adventure took me to the tiny island of Skellig Michael, off the south-west coast of Ireland, where 6th century monks lived and worshipped their creator. Wishing to live a life of sacrifice and faith, much in the spirit of St Anthony going out into the desert, they built tiny ‘beehive’ huts on the top of this remote rocky island which are still standing today… …
Llandaff Cathedral
Saturday 30th March 2019
David Arkell
Stately towers of grandeur fine Framing noble, weighty doors; Offering pilgrims restful pause Down the centuries’ coursing time. Enter now this hallowed place, Let the outside world subside; Worries and fears allayed; abide. Feel the moment, present space. Vast dimensions, spacious scope, Tombs encasing history’s bones; Massive columns, ancient stones Built by labourers’ concrete hope. Air with incense sweet imbued, Portly arches stretching high; Windows stained in motley dye, Dimness strange of light subdued. Choir’s wafty tones ascend, Sonorous notes of pipes ornate; Haunting chants and psalms elate, Harmony’s striking colours blend; Range of pitch from depth to height, Resonant echo, glorious sound; Vibrant expansion, fullness round, Glimpsing angels’ chorus white. Rousing hymns, spirits raised, Minds infused with inspiration; Joined in chords of exultation, Christ our Lord, His name be praised! Inspired by a visit…
Y Journey - the youth wing of Journeying
Wednesday 27th March 2019
Jon Wilkinson
Y Journey was conceived in 2010 when two Church leaders sat down at a party and began to imagine what a Journeying holiday might look like for teenagers. The fundamental question was this; Can todays teenagers, in our loud, media saturated, information intense culture, meaningfully experience God in creation, the journey, in one another? Well, we decided to give it a go, and with the enthusiastic backing of the Journeying leadership we launched Y Journey in 2011 in the Yorkshire Dales. Naturally, a Y Journey holiday differs in some respects from a conventional Journeying holiday as we are working with high octane, energy filled young people. However, the core values of Journeying were built into the structure…