Blog (Latest News, Info and Updates)
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…
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).