06/06/2007 by the walkers.

Following the walk - we can finally say, “been there; done that; got the T-shirt”. However that would not be the end, as we have learned so much from the experience, not only of the walk, but about how the charity can be helped by those of us who live inland, and who cannot get involved in ship visiting and hands-on supporting seafarers. The recent celebration of World Communication Sunday brought this home to us. We can be proactive in other ways, like the non parishioner in Haltwhistle, who knits a supply of woolly hats for the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) following an appeal within the parish

The AOS leaflets are now part of my personal effects; I have a supply in the car, in my handbag, ready to hand out to those interested in hearing about the walk. The current supply of leaflets are very relevant as, thanks to Tony, each contains a label with the website address, so when people ask about the walk, they don’t have to remember to write it down, the leaflet is handed to them and it’s there, together with the bullet points about the charity – spreading the news.

As an aside - on the second day of the walk, we came across eight Evangelist clergymen who were promoting the Christian faith around the Lakes by various walks. When they approached us, we checkmated them before they were able to pass their literature to us, by handing them the AOS leaflet and telling them about our mission. We met up with them later at one of the hotels as we were having an evening meal, when they invited us to listen to the Bishop of Carlisle.

The gem of the AOS pocket-size leaflets, was also instrumental in prompting one of our neighbours to inform us that she would be posting it to her son in the South of England to urge him to consider becoming a Ship Visitor.

Unable to attend a recent reunion in London, I used my letter of apology to highlight the charity and enclosing the leaflet, and was delighted to subsequently receive a donation.

The Polo Shirts which Tony supplied with the Coast to Coast message on them, and the T-shirts with the additional message(‘taking steps for seafarers’) are also providing opportunities to talk about seafarers and the charity.

So as we reluctantly and sadly sign off the blog now that the walk is well and truly over, we are looking forward to meeting members of the AOS on Saturday during the annual pilgrimage to Holy Island. Eddie and I wish to say how much we have enjoyed being part of this charity and sharing the fellowship. You do a great job and we are sorry we are not living near a port to partake in your mission, but we hope we have tried in our own way, to ‘Cast the Nets out into the Deep”, and as St. Basil writes, “Bloom where you are planted”, it only remains for us to wish you well and ask the Lord to bless each and every one of you.

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05/06/2007 by the walkers.

An essential part of our equipment was our walking sticks; and you can imagine after trekking all those miles they were getting ‘the worse for wear’. On our return Eddie took them to a stick dresser for what he described as “Their 200 miles service!” They were returned restored to their original condition much to our delight. However instead of accepting payment, Eric, the stick dresser suggested the money should go towards the charity, as he pointed out, his wife had already pledged a donation.
Which reminds me, the ancient form of bartering is alive and kicking around our area. Eddie mows the lawn for a neighbour and the neighbour cleans our car.
Well, ‘a fair exchange.’… as they say.

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02/06/2007 by the walkers.

We dedicated the walk to St. Joseph protector of the Holy Family and to our Guardian Angels, with the result that we had thankfully, a trouble free walk. However, as the Parish Priest announced at our wedding ceremony many years ago, (referring to Eddie’s half marathons); “Marriage is like a marathon, whereby every few miles helpers hold out their hands with cups of water and sponges for the runners, who can choose to accept the offer or not.” Our walk had many features of this metaphor which we associated with Guardian Angels; let us explain.

The previous blog contained references to the many Guesthouses that helped us along the journey by their hospitality. Our fellow walkers also helped us, for instance on the second day without any signpost to direct us we nearly took a wrong turning when, out of nowhere, appeared a group of five walkers, calling “This way mate!”. Our journey next day into Borrowdale was dangerous as we crossed waterfalls picking our way over Lakeland blue slate stones. At times we scrambled on hands and knees. A young lady from London insisted Veronica should use her walking pole, which greatly helped the ascent. In these remote areas the only eating places are the pubs and meeting up with other walkers allowed us the opportunity to compare notes and pay attention to
any potential hazards on next day’s walk

On our day of rest, Sunday, at Kirby Stephen, we could not help smile at the choice of hymn in the 13th century St. Stephen’s Church “O Sacrament of Rest, Ark of the ocean roar, beneath thy sacred breast soon may we reach the shore”.

We even met Guardian Angels in the most unexpected places, in the form of those strangers who stopped to talk and express interest in our chosen charity, volunteering donations. The A.O.S. poster designed by Tony was prominent on Veronica’s rucksack and aroused attention. 1,600ft above sea level at Nine Standards was a prime example. And so we could go on…..

However, we had special Guardian Angels supplied by the charity itself. Tony had assured us from the beginning that he would give us support all the way. He did not fail us; first he sent John & Carole Hodge to greet us and take us for a wonderful meal in Kirkby Stephen. It was so nice to be in touch with the charity’s Ship Visitors. We learned a lot from them as they gave more examples of what their individual work involved. John & Carole were invaluable when they insisted we take their mobile number and assured us they would be there for us if we needed them. We surely did need them; Veronica required medication and miles from any chemist, this couple turned up at a remote Guest House within hours of the call, with the requested items and more goodies.

Next, Jim & Anne Christison found us at the guesthouse in Richmond and also took us for a lovely evening meal. It was so reassuring to know that the charity was embracing us in such a way.

Of course at the end of the walk they were all there to greet us in Robin Hood’s Bay, while our Angel-in-Chief, Tony kept daily contact and updated the blog on our behalf. So not only did our sun tan lotion contain protection from the sun’s glare, these Guardian Angels protected us in a very special way.

Our return home, led to so many others telling us that they had followed our progress on the blog, (unaware that we were out of range of contact) and some had tried unsuccessfully to phone us to get updates. So we truly felt enveloped, and enfolded in human arms but with Heavenly protection. All ‘guided’ us in achieving our goal.

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