Time out

At the start of May 2022, I plan to be at Cape Wrath, the northwest-most point of Great Britain, beginning a journey on foot to the southeast-most point at Dover. I am hoping that you will be interested in following me online during the three months in between, and if you would like to, join me for some of the several hundred miles between my start and finish.

So, why? Firstly, as an ordained presbyter in the Methodist Church I am encouraged to take a sabbatical every seven years, time to step aside from day-to-day responsibilities to allow space to re-equip, refresh and renew.  It can be used for variety of purposes, including study, research, other work or experience.

I planned to do this walk about ten years ago, during my 'long leave' from John Lewis Partnership, which I initially planned to take in 2012.  In the couple of years before that, I felt God's call into ordained ministry and the process of discernment changed my plans somewhat.  My long leave was absorbed into my pre-ordination training, some of which was on placement in Ghana, a time of inspiration and blessing for my ministry, something I hope and pray for this sabbatical.

Why not Land's End to John O'Groats?  Fair question.  Apart from wanting to do something different, those with connections to my home town of Dronfield may know of E Hector Kyme, a well-known local schoolteacher and photographer who did the same walk in the early 1970s.  I'm planning to follow in his footsteps where possible, drawing on the information in his book, 'A Million and More Strides' (Robert Hale, 1975), which includes his own photographs and reflections on the people and places he encountered en route.

I'm not planning to write a book, but fifty years on it seems appropriate to move online and share my journey in this blog.  Internet connections and power permitting (not necessarily guaranteed) I hope to update this blog as I go and share the experience with you, and in the spirit of blogging I hope that you will respond in some form too.

Timing and plans

Hector took just over sixty days to walk the length of Great Britain, more-or-less in one continuous stretch in the summer and early autumn of 1972 (I believe, although i haven't been able to confirm the exact year).  In order to return home for some family occasions during the coming summer, I've decided to split the walk into three sections:

May (first three weeks) - Cape Wrath to Kyle of Lochalsh or Mallaig (and then return home via train, and take in one of the picturesque routes across Scotland)

June - Kyle of Lochalsh/Mallaig (depending on above) to Gretna Green or Carlisle

July - Gretna Green/Carlisle to Dover

Following in the footsteps of Hector isn't quite the direct route NW-SE, but it will allow me to walk part of the west coast of Scotland (having sailed some of it).  My planning has also reminded me that Scotland is deeper north-to-south than many perceive.  If you would like to join me - please do email me and we can share  thoughts on that.

Some thanks

I'd like to say a big thank you to those are already supporting me with this, beginning with my immediate family who are allowing me the time away from home.  

Thanks to the representatives from each of the churches I serve and my local Methodist Circuit have been meeting with me for some time now as part of my sabbatical support group, helping to develop my own plans and putting in arrangements to cover my responsibilities whilst I am away.  My colleague Emma Langley has led this group, so particular thanks to her and all those who will be stepping into my boots whilst I am away.

Please pray

I'd be grateful for your prayers, for all those involved in my sabbatical, quite a few as you can appreciate from the thanks above.  Equally for the remaining arrangements to fall into place (some of which have been impacted by the pandemic) including completion of my route planning so I can get the maps I will need and have a rough idea about overnight accommodation.

To conclude

Why are you walking, oh, why are you walking?

Where are you going, and what is your way?

    To learn how to trust in the things of the moment,

    that is the reason I am walking today.

Why are you walking, oh, why are you walking?

What is your purpose and why no delay?

    To learn to be thankful for each day's provision,

    to find that enough is enough for each day.

Why are you walking, oh, why are you walking?

What is the reason and where is the way?

    To learn how to stop, is the reason I'm walking,

    the reason I'm leaving, is to learn how to stay.

    Oh why don't you join me, and we'll walk together,

    each step a blessing and each road a way.

[Cottrell, Stephen (2018) Striking Out: poems and stories from the Camino, Norwich: Canterbury Press, p69]