Pilgrimage Report.
The Pilgrimage was led by Rev Jill Reeves, Rev Duncan Swan and Rev Frances Baldwin

On Friday 13th July, twenty-two pilgrims left St Mary's church by coach to travel to Keswick where we stayed the night at the Keswick Country Hotel. Here we were joined by our 23rd pilgrim, Norah Croft's grand-daughter, Jenni Noyes, a nurse living in Leeds.

Early next morning we departed for Oban going via Loch Lomond and the Trossachs . From Oban we took the ferry to Craignure on Mull and crossed over by coach to Fionnphort where we left the coach and went by foot ferry to Iona. A ten-minute walk took us to Bishop's House, a lovely place of retreat near the Abbey where we were to stay for a week. Every room had a south-east view over the sea to Mull.

We had lovely food: everything was freshly cooked in Bishop's House including the bread.

We had two services each day in St. Columba's chapel in Bishop's House, the Eucharist in the morning and Compline in the evening. During the day we made excursions to places on Iona and Mull. On Mull the group went round Duart Castle. On Sunday there was a boat trip round the island. The next day we went to Tobermory in the north of Mull, passing Duart Castle on the way. There was a walk round Iona to St. Columba's Bay and the marble quarry.

On Wednesday there was another visit to Mull to see Toresay Castle and the Birds of prey centre.

The next day we took a boat trip to Staffa to see the Puffins and Fingal's Cave. Some of the party climbed up to the top of the cliff and walked round to Fingal's cave. The rest of us sailed right round the island and saw the puffins swimming near the boat. Then we sailed right into the entrance of the cave. When the puffins saw the people on the cliff they all flew up and were walking around just near to them. Apparently they like people because they scare off the gulls who attack and eat them! The land party did a precarious climb down into Fingal's cave!

The week spent on the pilgrimage was an experience of a lifetime and an opportunity for rest, contemplation and spiritual renewal.

On the return journey we stayed a night at Carlisle where Jenni left us to return to Leeds. We had a service in Carlisle Cathedral before embarking on the return journey to Caterham, arriving at St. Mary's at about 8.30 pm on Sunday 22nd July.

Reported by Norah Croft

 
 Group Photo
of the Pilgrims