Return to Watling Street
Thankful once more for the overnight hospitality of a Methodist Church colleague, I headed east from Rochester, soon re-joining the A2 along Watling Street which I followed all day yesterday en route to Faversham. There wasn't an obvious alternative on the back roads, but there was a good pavement or cycle lane all the way.
Rochester and the neighbouring Medway Towns of Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham all merge into one, with only a short gap between them and Sittingbourne, after St Margaret's Church where I met one of the members of clergy and had time to chat and pray together.
Throughout each of the Medway Towns, maritime influences are still apparent, for example in many road names and buildings, including these almshouses in Chatham and dating back to Elizabethan times. They were built by Sir John Hawkins, a notable naval commander of the period with links to the early period of the Atlantic Slave Trade, and cousin and mentor to Sir Francis Drake.
More locally based sea-faring is also remembered by this statue of a Thames bargeman which I sat next to whilst eating my lunch in Sittingbourne.
The afternoon's surroundings were in sharp contrast to the morning, quickly becoming more rural and echoing Kent's title as the Garden of England. Plenty of grain crops, alongside plenty of fruit and the hops for which Kent is equally well-known.
Shortly before reaching Faversham, a short diversion from the road led me to the ruins of an ancient stone built church, the nave of which has origins as a 4th century Roman mauseleum with additions in Saxon and medieval times. The chancel with its stone altar is certainly visible in what remains of the building.
Counting blessings
Looking back at the first few blog entries and through my private journal, there's a sense of settling into the routine of walking each day, and establishing a rhythm for what has been a refreshing period of time for me. In the next few days, I'm going to have to adapt once again, firstly to the different rhythms of life at home, then as I resume my day-to-day responsibilities of ministry once again towards the end of August and into September.
I'm hoping that conversations with a trusted friend and colleague over the next couple of days will support me as I begin that transition 'out of sabbatical' but before those begin, here are a number of things for which I am thankful. Many have already been included in the blog before, but I feel there's benefit in bringing them together:
- sustained physical health as Ive walked
- a renewed sense of well-being
- times of solitude
- soaking up many amazing landscapes and views
- encounters and conversations with friends and strangers alike
- prayers of others; online 'likes,' 'kudos,' and other reactions
- practical support, including the loan of maps, the online tracker, items of kit, advice
- those who have walked with me
- all who have welcomed me into their homes en route
- my sabbatical support group
- those covering my day-to-day responsibilities of ministry
- those who have supported Sandy and our immediate family members in any number of ways whilst I have been away
- those family members themselves who've allowed me the time and space away from home
- God's presence along the way
A prayer
Lord of all places, people and time, I raise myself in praise to you this day, offering thanks for the blessings of this journey through Britain.
In moments where I have stumbled, you have picked me up and restored; in moments of doubt, you have reassured; in moments of awe and wonder, you have been present and shown me more.
Please continue to direct my onward steps, wherever they lead.
In the name of Jesus, my continuing guide, amen.
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