Day 32 of the End to End in 2019 was the beginning of the second section. In our planning of the walk we had decided this early on in order to change our accommodation style. Up to the end of part 1 we had used static accommodation set at reasonable intervals along the walk; caravans, lodges, hostels and so on. But I had planned to camp some of it and if Bambi couldn’t do it then we needed a temporary replacement.
Enter Bambo! This was a bright red VW Campervan we hired from Glossop. We found it on line and decided we’d try it for 20 days. As members of the Camping and Caravan Club we had access to their wide network of sites and we only needed four to fill the gap between Gloucester and Wigan.
Everyone admired Bambo. A smart shiny reasonably new red Campervan with a pop top, Bambo was the darling of the campsite. We were not used to be the recipients of van envy.
I started walking again in the car park in Gloucester where we had encountered the shower of rain a few days earlier. I was soon back on the Severn Way and up over the hill to the Red Lion at Wainlode. Much of this was similar to the route walked by Hannah in 2012. It was good to be walking again and enjoying the scenery and the flowers.
In 2020 we look forward to these longer walks in the future. We are fortunate to be able to walk locally on the Transpennine Trail and for forty days from March to May I watched the Spring develop on our doorstep. You can view the photos, all taken from similar local parts of Longdendale, here:
From the remembered gospel
Jesus said ‘Spread out! Go everywhere! Tell them everything!’
Cosmic God, there’s a wonder in everywhere:
In our lock down confinement, we struggle with the urge to be out there.
It’s difficult to put the needs of others before our own economic security.
On blue sky days it’s hard to resolve to put the planet before planes
or choose between the fast track or emission levels.
As the full moon rises again on our much emptier streets,
may we be watchful, waiting for the moment,
eager but not egocentric,
mindful that joy comes in the morning,
the right morning, the morning for starting again.
Meanwhile may we be ever ready, to serve God and each other.
JAL 07.05.2020 in Longdendale.