Today´s walk was a much needed shorter day and one that was easily accomplished by early hours. I am in the city of Pamplona, one of Spain's´s beautiful medieval cities. It happens to be the city that caused injury to Ignatius of Loyolla leading to the founding of the Jesuit Order. I have to say that I can see that whilst some of his daydreams were of outdoing the saints, I can see why he wanted to reclaim this beautiful city for the Spanish people - it is breathtaking, almost like a mini-Barcelona.
I have met some amazing people who each have the various reasons for doing this pilgrimage. For some it is the chance to complete an interesting part of their trip to Spain as they tour Europe to more personal reasons for some including preparing for a new professional life and others dealing with more personal reasons.
One of these amazing people said today that he was amazed how in the focusing of getting from A to B and the need for basic things like water has made him so aware of so many aspects of modern life that we take for granted and that possibly we do not need.
This journey is one that is deeply stimulating me with all that I am seeing and all that I am feeling - ranging from times of exhilaration to moments of worry as to how am I going to get to Pamplona to moments of shear joy when you share a good meal with your fellow pilgrims in the evening. Also, there is so much laughter and care for those on the journey with you it is quite an amazing process to be involved within.
Well, I´m not sure when the next posting will be, but until then thank you for your comments and keep me in your prayers!
Scott
Friday, 25 April 2008
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Two days in - I´ve conquered the Pyrenees
Dear Friends,
What can I really say about the last few days. It all got off to what was really a horrendous start!
I booked my bag into Glasgow Airport and travelled to Stanstead to find that it did not arrive! I was therefore stuck in Biarritz for the night as the cheap fare airlines won´t forward luggage for you to where you are! You have no idea how I was feeling in Biarritz knowing that I am on a tight schedule and that I have to fly home on the 25 May!!!!
Luckily, the bag arrived on Tuesday and so I set off for St. Jean de Pied Port. It was the most beautiful train journey through the rural area of France at the foot of the Pyrenees. I won´t deny when I saw the height of the mountains there was not a bit of me that was wondering what I had done coming up with this crazy plan!
So the next morning I set out to conquer the Pyrenees (all 1450m of them) - things began well and it seemed that this steep climb out of St. Jean that we had all be warned about was not going to be too bad!!!! Then we passed an old farmer who smiled and said, "Bonjour!" I´m sure he knew what was coming - a road bending up to the write that was so steep that after a few minutes everybody was beginning to stretch out and struggle! Have you any idea how it feels struggling up a hill that never seems to end and being passed by people at least twice your age?
It was a truly humbling experience and one that taught me the first lesson within this pilgrimage - I can only do it one step at a time myself. Trying to race with others is a sure pathway to disaster and so I have quickly learned to take my time and to enter into the journey as best I can! When I reached the top of the mountain I have to concede that I almost cried with joy as it took 5 hours to conquer!
The last few days have taught me that the next few weeks will be a time in which I literally will deal with what is in front of me and can do no other. Not bad, concerning we spend so much time planning and scheming to find God that we fail to deal with that which is of God in front of our faces!
So for the next few weeks I will have to take each step at a time and hopefully - the feet willing - I will wander further into this amazing process.
Hope you are all well!
Scott
What can I really say about the last few days. It all got off to what was really a horrendous start!
I booked my bag into Glasgow Airport and travelled to Stanstead to find that it did not arrive! I was therefore stuck in Biarritz for the night as the cheap fare airlines won´t forward luggage for you to where you are! You have no idea how I was feeling in Biarritz knowing that I am on a tight schedule and that I have to fly home on the 25 May!!!!
Luckily, the bag arrived on Tuesday and so I set off for St. Jean de Pied Port. It was the most beautiful train journey through the rural area of France at the foot of the Pyrenees. I won´t deny when I saw the height of the mountains there was not a bit of me that was wondering what I had done coming up with this crazy plan!
So the next morning I set out to conquer the Pyrenees (all 1450m of them) - things began well and it seemed that this steep climb out of St. Jean that we had all be warned about was not going to be too bad!!!! Then we passed an old farmer who smiled and said, "Bonjour!" I´m sure he knew what was coming - a road bending up to the write that was so steep that after a few minutes everybody was beginning to stretch out and struggle! Have you any idea how it feels struggling up a hill that never seems to end and being passed by people at least twice your age?
It was a truly humbling experience and one that taught me the first lesson within this pilgrimage - I can only do it one step at a time myself. Trying to race with others is a sure pathway to disaster and so I have quickly learned to take my time and to enter into the journey as best I can! When I reached the top of the mountain I have to concede that I almost cried with joy as it took 5 hours to conquer!
The last few days have taught me that the next few weeks will be a time in which I literally will deal with what is in front of me and can do no other. Not bad, concerning we spend so much time planning and scheming to find God that we fail to deal with that which is of God in front of our faces!
So for the next few weeks I will have to take each step at a time and hopefully - the feet willing - I will wander further into this amazing process.
Hope you are all well!
Scott
Friday, 18 April 2008
5 days to go
Well folks, this is not something that I can fancifully just talk about now!
It is really a lot nearer than a dream any more. If the truth be told - there is a part of me that is terrified but an even greater part that is so excited. I hope the excitement makes the crucial difference as I begin the final preparations to leave! Don't ask about the Spanish, I am hoping the phrasebook and regular use will improve things!!!
I have updated the details of Hannah's website with the details of her trust fund should any of you wish to donate towards her medical costs! People have asked me if I was being sponsored for this walk and I have to say it never occurred to me to do that, but when more and more asked I thought that it seemed apt that such a long walk might benefit the care of Hannah. So rather than raising some money for some other cause please make your cheques payable to the trust fund and send them to the address on Hannah's website.
Well the next post will come from the route itself!
Keep me in your thoughts and prayers!
Yours aye!
Scott
It is really a lot nearer than a dream any more. If the truth be told - there is a part of me that is terrified but an even greater part that is so excited. I hope the excitement makes the crucial difference as I begin the final preparations to leave! Don't ask about the Spanish, I am hoping the phrasebook and regular use will improve things!!!
I have updated the details of Hannah's website with the details of her trust fund should any of you wish to donate towards her medical costs! People have asked me if I was being sponsored for this walk and I have to say it never occurred to me to do that, but when more and more asked I thought that it seemed apt that such a long walk might benefit the care of Hannah. So rather than raising some money for some other cause please make your cheques payable to the trust fund and send them to the address on Hannah's website.
Well the next post will come from the route itself!
Keep me in your thoughts and prayers!
Yours aye!
Scott
Friday, 11 April 2008
10 Days and Counting ...
Well, folks I can't really say too much about the Spanish as I am still struggling away!
But I have managed to organise Hannah's website! Who is Hannah - well she is the very special grand-daughter of a very good friend of mine - Gillean Maclean. I have created a link on the blog in order that you can go and read more about her yourself if you really want to - please do, she is a lovely little girl!
People kept asking me if I was raising money and her cause seems the best that I could think of, so if you want to help out - read her web-page and send the money as detailed there!
I've also set up some links for those of you who I have not bored to death telling them about where I am going and the history of the route so that you can find out for yourself.
You can also begin to keep up with where I am by referring to the map link as I write!
Well, it won't be long until I'm away - so keep me in your thoughts and prayers!
Cheers!
Scott
But I have managed to organise Hannah's website! Who is Hannah - well she is the very special grand-daughter of a very good friend of mine - Gillean Maclean. I have created a link on the blog in order that you can go and read more about her yourself if you really want to - please do, she is a lovely little girl!
People kept asking me if I was raising money and her cause seems the best that I could think of, so if you want to help out - read her web-page and send the money as detailed there!
I've also set up some links for those of you who I have not bored to death telling them about where I am going and the history of the route so that you can find out for yourself.
You can also begin to keep up with where I am by referring to the map link as I write!
Well, it won't be long until I'm away - so keep me in your thoughts and prayers!
Cheers!
Scott
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