Words Christine Owen
Cornish Celtic Way 7 to 12 April 2019
55 miles from St.Germans to Fowey along the coast then inland along the Saints Way to Padstow.
We gathered on Sunday 7 April early afternoon at St.Germans Priory, greeted warmly by parishioners and offered tea and biscuits. We were a mixed group: some old friends who had walked the route before and some new. All with a sense of excitement and anticipation of what we were going to share together over the next 6 days. We also had the pleasure of others joining us for a day or two which always added to the walking experience.
We were pleased that on the first day we were joined by Bishop Phillip and his dog Noggin. As always we started our walk with a period of reflection led by Rev. Nigel Marns, hearing about the history of the Priory , learning about the Celtic Saints that had walked before us and having an opportunity to pray and reflect on our purpose for walking this route. We ended by praying for God’s blessing on us and singing an appropriate song to send us on our way.
The first three days we walked along the Cornish coast from St.Germans to Fowey. This took us along spectacular coastal scenery with breathtaking views. We all agreed that the banks of primroses , celandines, wild garlic and bluebells really enhanced the joys of walking at this time of year. We followed a steep hill along a narrow lane and every now and then we would stop either to look back or gaze through a gateway to the lovely views. It reminded me that often in our lives we have our heads down going through our daily work or responsibilties and occasionally we look up and have a special experience of God’s presence.
Lantic Bay
We were met along the route by small groups of people in a variety of churches and chapels often quite isolated, who knew we were walking the Celtic Way. We experienced very warm and generous hospitality offering refreshements which usually included lots of home made cake, delicious evening meals and overnight accommodation enabling walkers to stay in church halls or chapels along the route. At each church or chapel we would take the opportunity to hear about their history and how they might be related to the Saint to which they had been dedicated. We would also find out how these little places were serving their communities in amazing ways. We would sing again before moving on. This proved not only a real blessing to us but an encouragement to them too. The Bishop commented that as Christians: “It is about serving as well as services!”
The secong day we ended at Sclerder Abbey near Looe. The welcome by the Sisters there was as ever warm and generous. We were able to stay overnight in proper beds! We also had the opportunity to share prayers with them in the chapel morning and evening and enjoyed a lovely meal together. The gardens in the grounds were such a special place to be . So peaceful in the orchard with a bench surrounded by primroses and bluebells, beautiful bird song and a few rabbits! The peace of the gardens surrounded me , sensing God’s presence in such beauty it was very hard to leave!
The Orchard at Sclerder Abbey
The third day we continued our coastal walk through Polperro along to Polruan. Our walks enhanced by the good night’s sleep and kind hospitality that we had already received from so many different places. We shared together conversations discussing problems and pressures as well as the joys and blessings of life. One of the prayers Nigel Marns had read at the beginning of the day include the words: “ May those who feel overwhelmed by the pressures of life look to love and the love expressed around us.” That was certainly our experience as we walked, chatted, ate cake and enjoyed together the amazingly beautiful countryside in which we shared. As a result the pressures and concerns of our daily lives just seemed to melt away. We enjoyed the relaxation of walking together but also lovely people we met along the way. It seemed that their care and kindness encouraged us, not only in the walking, but also in our faith. Seeing God’s grace in others was an inspiration.
Polperro Harbour
On the fourth day we left Polruan, stopped briefly in Fowey and then left the coast and began our walk along the Saints Way inland towards our destination of Padstow. Some of the walks were tough up and down. Some were along narrow Cornish lanes and thankfully flatter, enabling us then to stroll with ease through the beautiful countryside. This I felt also often mirrors our lives. As we started and shared spiritual reflections during each day we seemed to be walking with a greater awareness of God’s presence with us. One morning I felt in my pocket the stone I had collected from Downderry Beach with a white seam of a cross through it. It helped to remind me that we do not walk alone…ever.
We were all feeling very pleased and grateful when we arrived at Padstow, our destination, ending with final prayers and reflections which I found very moving.
We had started with 15 walkers, and ended with 8 but had enjoyed the company of 26 altogether along the way including the day walkers. We had a mixture of ages, the youngest being 10 years old, and not forgetting the four dogs that joined us too. The whole week we were grateful for the wonderful weather, sunshine each day and not a drop of rain. At the end I was amazed to find that I had completed the distance and woke up the following morning with no aches or pains, just feeling totally relaxed and blessed by the whole experience.
My thanks to Penny and Nigel Marns for the organisation of the walks, and for the refreshments and accommodation so kindly offered by so many.