Three Day-les

I've really enjoyed the walking over the last three days, starting from Sedbergh to Burton-in-Lonsdale on Tuesday, on to Hellifield on Wednesday, thence to Keighley today (Thursday).  Each day's walk was more-or-less in Lonsdale, Ribblesdale and Airedale respectively, each with its own character.

I was joined by a longstanding friend for most of Tuesday, and it was good to be able to catch up over several hours, something we've not had the opportunity to do since before the pandemic.  He lives locally so was able to give a bit of running commentary on parts of our route.  Thankfully the rain kept off nearly all day, so one of my only challenges of the day was a further encounter of the bovine kind, albeit that the group I met was somewhat smaller than Sunday's (although Limousines, one of the breeds in the group, are well known for being skittish!)

Shortly after meeting this group of young bullocks, I also had a traverse a somewhat overgrown path, ending with several scratches and nettle stings:

Following a night in Burton-in-Lonsdale, the guest of family members of a colleague, on Tuesday I headed slightly south before heading towards Ribblesdale on minor country roads.  The constant highlight of the day was the view across Ribblesdale towards the Three Peaks of Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside.  I discovered this bench, looking at Ingleborough, but the panorama opened up shortly afterwards to feature all three.

My day ended with a 'short sharp shower' so was reasonably wet when I arrived in Hellifield to be met by another colleague who lives a few miles away in Settle where I spent the night before returning for my final day's walk before talking a weekend back home.

The walk through Airedale was very different, mostly along the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool canal, winding its way southeastwards through Gargrave, Skipton and onto Keighley.  An easier day's walk in terms of the terrain and navigation, with plenty of time to chat with other walkers and towpath users.  One man was somewhat surprised with my reply 'Yes, of Britain,' to his 'Are you walking the full length?' (he meaning the 127.25 miles of the canal).

One other question I've been asked a number of times is whether I'd be following the Pennine Way during my pilgrimage.  In general, no, but I crossed its route as I walked through the picturesque village of Gargrave.  It's easy to agree with those who claim that the Leads and Liverpool runs through some of the most beautiful spots on the whole canal network.

Looking back towards Airedale from Keighley:

Looking back

More generally, I left Mallaig four weeks ago today.  It feels quite an accomplishment to have arrived in Keighley, with just over 500 miles walked in those four weeks.

Overall I've now walked just over 750 miles since Cape Wrath over 43 days on the move, so I'm averaging just over 17 miles a day (planned average was 15-16); for those who are interested, the total blister count is three!

Several people have asked me whether I am getting tired: whilst I am certainly weary at the end of each day, and certainly need to rest and re-fuel, I'm feeling in good shape physically and spiritually and don't feel particularly tired. I've been working on keeping well hydrated and nourished, equally aware of the spiritual element to my pilgrimage.

I've continued to stop for prayer at each church en route, going in where the building is open.  Yesterday I called in to the small churches in Keasden and nearby Eldroth within a relatively short period of time.  Not only within the buildings but during my walking, I've encountered a palpable sense of God's renewing and re-creating presence. The final few words of this meditation seem apt.

In the present moment

Hurry is an unpleasant thing in itself, but also very unpleasant for whoever is around it. Some people came into my room and rushed in and rushed out and even when they were there they were not there – they were in the moment ahead or the moment behind. Some people who came in just for a moment were all there, completely in that moment.

Live from day to day, just from day to day. If you do so, you worry less and live more richly. If you let yourself be absorbed completely, if you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.

(Anne Morrow Lindbergh)