Another bit of my life

So, this is the first non walk based blog. I'm a practising (No, I've not got it right yet) Christian and a steward at my local Methodist Church (No, it's not a temperance church and yes I do like a glass of wine/beer/gin/brandy).

As a steward, I'm part of the Leadership Team and we've been taking some flack recently. We've come in for some pretty severe criticism from a small number of church members over how we have encouraged or not volunteers in part of the church's work. It's been pretty hurtful and has had ramifications beyond the area in question. Thankfully, most of the church membership is unaware of the dispute and also, the Leadership Team are happy that they have dealt with the issues correctly and have been supported by the upper echelons of the Church leadership locally. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees!

It would be really easy to say, "Sod it!" and just walk away from this but what message does that send out? We've discussed the situation endlessly, prayed about it and taken advice and we are happy that we have dealt with the situation correctly.

I once heard a speaker in a seminar suggest that we stop worrying after we've made a decision, because if we have prayed about the situation and taken advice from other Christians, why wouldn't it be the correct decision and that really encouraged me.

I dare say some of you guys reading this aren't Christians and are now thinking, see, they're no better than us! They fall out and can't agree over stuff, just like non-Christians. Well, you're right. We are just like you, but have a faith. We're not and never will be perfect, but we strive to be better tomorrow than we are today.

I'm really not sure what effect The Camino will have on me or my faith and I think that is one of the reasons I want to do it. That and the idea of a sort of travelling community of more or less like minded people. I just hope that I don't get involved in any similar disagreements while on pilgrimage because walking away really isn't an answer then, is it. 

Keswick in October

Just back from 4 beautiful days in Keswick. The weather was excellent, the bed & breakfast really nice and the pubs of Keswick very acceptable! We parked the car on Monday afternoon and didn't drive again until Friday morning apart from a ride back from Rosthwaite on the bus.
By the end of 4 days of walking, the old knees were feeling it a bit, but they seemed to recover fairly quickly, so here's hoping that 4 weeks won't be too much!

The scenery in the Lake District really is stunning. We have been lucky enough to travel quite a bit in some beautiful places, but the Lake District is as beautiful as anywhere, and the beer is better than most places.
Both my and Heather's new boots have been great. We can definitely recommend Meindl. They have been really comfortable even when putting them on the morning after a long walk and neither of us have had any blisters.
The picture above was taken from Friars Crag in Keswick and shows the view at sunset looking south down the length of Derwentwater towards Borrowdale. The view below shows Blencathra from St. Johns in the Vale.

Nearly The Lakes

Staveley is a village right on the edge of the Lake District National Park, and is one of those places you mostly drive straight past on your way elsewhere. Yesterday we decided to explore a bit having done a walk a couple of weeks ago on my Walking Weekend.
The River kent flows out of the Kentmere Valley and provides a leisurely stroll in lovely countryside.

followed by a climb up to Potter's Tarn and then up to Gurnal Dubs. By this time the sun had appeared from out of the mist and the views across to the Howgills were beautiful.
We then retraced our steps to Potters Tarn and then descended into the Kentmere valley.

A final stop for a cuppa and a piece of coffee cake at Wilf's in Staveley rounded off a very pleasant day. Not really hardcore training, but never mind. I should say that Wilf's is next door to the Hawkeshead Brewery and Beer Hall so the choice between the two was probably the most difficult task of the day! The coffee cake swung it!!