Day 116 of the End to End in 2019 negotiated several of the long straight roads of Caithness to finish at the impressive Canis Bay war memorial. After so long walking up Britain I’ve seen many such memorials in towns and villages, each one inscribed with the local roll of honour. The one at the corner of the road leading into Canis Bay is not very different. It is the place where our three routes meet again before the final few miles into John O’Groats: Bob in 2003, Hannah in 2012 and me in 2019. As I looked across the Pentland Firth, I as glad I had decided to leave the last few miles for day 117.
But today in 2020, I will reflect on a different sort of summer. 275 years since the Jacobite followers of Bonnie Prince Charlie made it as far south as, Derby, Bob and I decided to try a section of the Bonnie Prince Charlie Walk today in Derbyshire.
It was a hot day and I think I got the best bit of the walk from Osmaston village along pleasant tracks and shady woodland. Bob met me near Longdon and explained how his section to Lees, where we had decided to finish, was more difficult. Some of the stiles were high or wobbly. Some of the way was across fields with and without crops. At one point a gate was barred and a detour had to be taken at Osleston Hall. It was getting hotter and it was good we had plenty of water. We arrived on the village green at Lees at 1.30, tired and sweaty.
2020 is a very different summer to 2019: no painted ladies for example. There were lots of other butterflies out today including two Brimstone. There have been new plants sighted and different routes have been tried. All in all new stories to tell. But there is nothing quite like walking LEJOG. If you ever get the chance, do it.
From the remembered gospel: That same day two of his followers were going from Jerusalem to Emmaus, about 11 miles walking.
God of memories, pull us into the present.
Explanations and stories have a place, reflection adds depth to our humanity as we seek to understand anew,
But do not let us stay there, entrapped by the past whether good or bad.
Call us on to see your current concerns, to become involved in your justice, to be peacemakers now.
Companion Christ, may we also be able to say ‘I knew it was him’ with each encounter.
- JAL 11.08.2020 near Ashbourne, Derbyshire, and on the Bonnie Prince Charlie Walk.