It’s day 18 of the walk is also Good Friday, which seems incredible. As well as counting days, I have an app on my phone that counts miles. It also counts steps which has become a popular thing. These are the ways we motivate ourselves. Other ways include people walking with me, like Bob who walls a bit each day. Today James, Fiona, William and Ollie came to join in from Brushford.
It was very hot by the afternoon. It was good to be able to find cool shady places to walk, including a disused railway path (even though it was not clear if this was available for public use). At some point I stepped from Devon to Somerset but it was not clear exactly where.
Another motivation method is a treat, like the lovely cream tea we had in Dulverton together at the end of the days walk.
Bob and I then went on by car over part of Exmoor to Exford Youth Hostel where we are staying this weekend. We made a side trip to Tarr Steps on the way. It’s a place we would often visit on the way back from Cornwall when I was a child. The longest clapper bridge in Exmoor, it is a brilliant bridge, and a place where steps count.
On Good Friday, of all days, we remember steps that count:
Steps through Jerusalem’s streets;
Steps alone on a hard way with a heavy burden;
Steps of another compelled to help, coming alongside;
Steps taken knowing that death waits at the end of the road;
Steps of those running away, steps of others standing nearby;
Steps of a military guard;
Steps of a crowd in narrow streets;
Steps on stones, steps in dust;
Steps to a criminal’s death;
Steps to the cross:
Countless steps.
May we who step on The Way today be sure to make every step count, for the sake of Jesus.
JAL 19.04.2019
Day 18 of the End to End, Balls Corner to Bury, via Brushford