At lunchtime today I had spent 17 of the previous 24 hours sitting on trains. It is good to be home. I completed the West Highland Way around 4pm two days ago in Fort William. I marked the occasion with a cup of a tea and a cinnamon bun. I... Continue reading

My final day walking. The last 14 miles into Fort William. I read the notes on the route and it suggested a significant uphill section and a rough stage through some woodland. I have mixed feelings. I want to get home, but I also feel I could go further if... Continue reading

I woke thinking over what I had been reflecting on yesterday and how the sense of being out of control is a significant stressor. Yesterday, I had not been in control of the weather, but I had planned and prepared in order to mitigate against it as much as possible... Continue reading

Sunday arrives, and my longest section of the trail by far, 19 miles distance and across some terrain that was wilder and more remote. Morning Prayer seemed to be emphasising the goodness of God, which made me aware of all the beauty and grandeur of this landscape also being tainted;... Continue reading

I realise I write nothing in my paper journal yesterday. It really was just a matter of keeping going, and there were no places which invited me to pause and scribble. With our arrival in the glens today a more leisurely day was promised, even if the distance was the... Continue reading

Yesterdays’s push to be more grateful hit the buffers, rather, with the depressing discovery that there was only instant coffee available at breakfast. I left the hotel early, around 7:30, and realised I had already formed a pattern for each day; breakfast as early as possible, then out onto the... Continue reading

I slept deeply but woke early. I watched a YouTube video of someone walking today’s route. Everyone agrees this stretch is tough. The first half of the walk goes up to the ridge of Conic Hill before descending to the Loch-side village of Balmaha. The trail then heads north along... Continue reading

An easier first day than feared. I had my alarm set for my normal wake up time so I can check in with home. There is time to do some last minute sorting as the weather forecast is much improved, so I can put some of my wet gear into... Continue reading

I collected my tickets yesterday afternoon from a strangely quiet local railway station. Upon checking, I discovered that Southern Rail had problems with biofuel, and as a result the local trains to London were cancelled. This did make me panic somewhat as I had an important connection to make in... Continue reading

Travel Day -1 arrives and I need to pack. There is plenty of advice about the 10 C's necessary for survival, but I hope to do more than simply survive! Having said that my packing also has to be within the limits of what I can carry and be transported.... Continue reading

The weeks have passed, and it is now down to days until I head north for my walk. I had made several longer runs than I had previously been undertaking; up onto the hills and along the road for 5km each way. I noticed that my trusty Lowa Renegade boots,... Continue reading

Having reach a point of preparation which seemed to involve reading of others’ success (and failure!) on long distance walks, and the West Highland Way in particular, my attention has shifted elsewhere as I had to complete submissions of my longer written piece for my MA which provided for a... Continue reading

I have begun the planning for my trip. I have watched quite a few videos of people's success in completing the walk - they have been helpful as it helps one get to know something of the terrain and possible weather! It is also helpful seeing someone's failure, and honest... Continue reading

As of the 9th March We met yesterday as a Church Council. We want to re-open, but we do want to take this gradually and watch our step closely. We know that more and more of our Church Family have had at least one vaccination, but also know that some... Continue reading

Here are the various links for the week ahead. Sunday 7th 10am Morning Worship on Facebook and YouTube. Coffee time afterwards from 11ish on Zoom Topic: Coffee time Time: Mar 7, 2021 11:00 AM London Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85831954410?pwd=TVVGOUY0eWwyb1NIY3dzWlRGSG52QT09 Meeting ID: 858 3195 4410 Passcode: 934419 and Google Meet Join:... Continue reading

...is a better thing than to arrive according to Robert Louis Stevenson. Sadly, plans for most of us with travel in 2020 (and seemingly well into 2021 as well) have been well and truly kiboshed. The Silk Road still has a draw; that mix of history, religions, politics, art and... Continue reading

Here are the various links to Zoom and Meet for this coming week. Sunday 28th 11am Coffee time chat Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89839759559?pwd=eVNkKzdYYWRmT1d5Nmp2dGM3NHlUZz09 or Meet https://meet.google.com/kdp-zkca-iyv Sunday 28th 4pm Evening Worship Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/72315717542?pwd=THlDMVNyLzRNYWFUaURMVjk4Qm9wdz09 Wednesday 3rd March 9:45am Midweek coffee break Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87205920755?pwd=eE8vR3NTSkUyR29UcVVQdWpNOXVFQT09 Thursday 4th March 7:45pm... Continue reading

Here is the link to the Midweek Catch up, 11am on the 17th February hosted by Adrian. Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73550864925?pwd=WXY5SStkRkFHbkVobnRrQjIvY1VxQT09 Please make sure you have your name displaying correctly so Adrian knows to let you in. Continue reading

Dear all. This Sunday's service will be on Zoom, hosted by Matthew. The link is below. Matthew Brinicombe is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84926021424?pwd=dXNob3pkR0lkTm5LMzVWa1dJMHpRUT09 Meeting ID: 849 2602 1424 Passcode: 760165 Please try to make sure your name on Zoom is correct to allow... Continue reading

We have updated the service pattern with Zoom links for some upcoming services. Download Service pattern for Feb and Mar 21 Continue reading

Jacquie has written another letter for this week to encourage us all. Download Tuesday 2nd February 2021 Continue reading

Many apologies about the delay in uploading, but here is Jacquie's letter for this week. Download Tuesday 26th January 2020 Continue reading

This is the plan for our Lent Course for this year. The document has links to the materials we intend to use and the Zoom links for the seven sessions. Please let me know if you have any questions. Download Lent Course plan Feb and Mar 21 Continue reading

This is the current intended plan as we understand restrictions and in light of the current very high rate of infections locally. We will modify this pattern if the situation changes. Download Service pattern for Feb and Mar 21 Continue reading

Jacquie has written a letter for us for this week. Download 19.1.21 Continue reading