Sarah’s UK tour

Sarah has been in England this past week speaking in various parts of the country at events hosted by the English chapter of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM). 

She began by giving four talks at the WCCM national conference in Minsteracres, Northumbria. That was an opportunity to catch up with friends from the wider WCCM network, including Fr Jim and Cinzia from the parish of Balally in Dublin.

From there it was two talks in Leeds on Monday, two talks in Birmingham on Tuesday, a talk in Chepstow (Wales) and then in Bath Abbey on Wednesday, two talks in Salisbury on Thursday, a day off (!!!) on Friday and two talks in London on Saturday. 

During the week, she was wonderfully hosted and transported by Sue and Michael Clarke. Here's a couple of shots of their beautiful old garden in Yorkshire.

That was Sue in the first photo, and here's one of Michael waiting with Sarah after the Salisbury talks were finished. Who looks tired?

Here’s the view from her room in Sarum College, Salisbury - the Cathedral.

More moods of Salisbury

Sun for the first time in a week.

Whilst in Birmingham she was taken past Edgbaston. 

When the guy in the kiosk heard she was from Australia he let her go onto the ground. How good is that!! Judging by that batting stance she won't be getting the call up any time soon (sorry, Sars).

And her's a view of Bath Abbey where she spoke to a crowd of thousands... well, maybe not quite thousands, but certainly dozens!!

After the final talks in London, Sarah met up with Sarah Legrand and the two of them have gone to North Wales to walk for a few days.

Here they are on the ascent of the north face of Mt Tryfan - a 900 metre climb and scramble over boulders. Here's what the walking guide says in it's introduction to this walk: 

Tryfan offers a wonderful adventure for intrepid walkers drawn to its distinctive, dinosaur-spine ridge of volcanic rock. To the west and south stretches a scalloped crescent of crags reaching 1001m at Glyder Fawr. This range of peaks, the Glyderau, includes four of the ten tallest ‘washis’ (Welsh hills over 600m). You’ll find rare plants and feral goats among these spectacular mountains, plus ravens and peregrine falcons. There are several gorgeous mountain lakes, too. 

Sarah L on the 'dinosaur-spine ridge' - scanning for peregrine falcons no doubt!

The return route down the other side.

On the way, Sarah L had a swim in that lake, which, from the angle above, looks remarkably like a map of Australia (and cold!). Is that her head bobbing out there? Brave woman!!

A local village church and graveyard

Topped off by a hearty dinner in a nearby village pub. Mmm - pie, peas and enough mash to feed a small army!!

Here's a few shots of day two's walk.

It's was a beautful sunny day, 'my first really warm day since arriving here', Sarah says, and the path doesn't look quite as steep. 

Friendly locals. 

What's not to like about walking in Wales? Or as the locals might say: 

Beth sydd ddim i'w hoffi am gerdded yng Nghymru? Dewch draw i'w brofi drosoch eich hun.

The walk 'took much longer than we expected and we had our dinner on the way home' Sarah writes. Adding, 'my legs are pretty tired so interesting to see what's possible tomorrow.'  

Welsh Rarebit!

Images from the walk on day 3 of the Wales wandering.

Another swim for Sarah L.

Swallow Falls

Dinner cooked in the hostel kitchen and shared in the great outdoors.

Today’s walk was more of a meander, which, after yesterday’s marathon, was much appreciated.

Happy walkers taking the obligatory selfie!

Final day walking though misty valleys.

The last two days were spent with cousin Kaye in Canterbury. As it happens, the via Francigena pilgrim route (from Canterbury to Rome) runs past Kaye's back fence. How's that for access!!

Not sure that's the right footwear for a thousand kilometre pilgrimage but perfect for a couple of steps on a (finally) warm and sunny English summer day. 

And the path still stretching on...