Dear 6 of the #GrandWalkOut and we seem to be getting the hang of it. I walked from Bridge 83 to Bridge 74 on the Trent and Mersey Canal. Bob started at bridge 74 and walked to Bridge 50 which is Fradley Junction. I then drove there to meet him.
Another lovely day and Trent and Mersey Canal is a long one. There are many fascinating signs of progress along the way from the salt spa to the farm shop. I keep counting bridges and look out for interesting flora and fauna. This will be our last Trent and Mersey day this trip as we turn onto the Coventry Canal next.
As I walk I think about the Rule of St Benedict, still followed by many around the world today. I wonder what Benedict and Scholastica, his sister, would think of as progress?
Is it progress for monastic communitites to get bigger and bigger or for billionaires who support hate speech to buy social media platforms? These days most of the monastic communitites I visit are not all that big and support themselves through small sustainable enterprises. I thought of a name for a social media platform called Natter, but maybe someone else already started that.
I ate ice cream made by local suppliers and chatted to a canal user about walking long distances, how it grounds you (his words) and helps you to get things back into perspective. I certainly find it helps, this strange mix of pilgrimage and tourism.
As I wander onto the next place I admire the activity going on around me and pray we may co-operate to ensure the planet remains sustainable for generation after generation.
From my remembered bible: Let your servant go on in peace.
Rebalance me.
From a Friend of Scholastica and a Member of the Lay Community of St Benedict.
Janet Lees, Day 6, Fradley Junction.