So today saw enough miles walked so far this month to cross into Scotland from England - and, depending which algorithm choices I make, I am roughly at mythical Gretna Green.

Part of today's steps were completed taking someone to a railway station to collect tickets to go to an asylum hearing... if your first language is English, and if you know how ticket machines work, and if you have a chip and pin card, then collecting the tickets is easy; lack any of these and it's nigh on impossible.  Today we had to use one of my cards to collect the tickets for tomorrow's journey.  I will be accompanying the person to ensure they find their way to the stated address - there as an assumption that they will have a smart phone to find the way from a post code.  Again, not tricky if you speak English, and can work out when to change trains on the way, but otherwise decidedly challenging.

I don't think the people in the offices in London try to make it difficult, indeed the letter is really helpful, it's just that most of us have never had to negotiate public transport in an unfamiliar country, and with a very precise deadline to meet.  "Race Across the World" this is not.

Anyway, I am off to listen to the make-believe piper playing make-believe music, and to enjoy some rest before tomorrow.

If praying be your thing, then please pray for a just and fair hearing, compassionate officials, and (despite this being bad theology) a hassle free journey.  

(Photo from the interweb)

... until I reach make-believe Glasgow and the end of my #RaceforRefugees.  A little shy of ten miles today took my total to almost 154 miles, so in a sense it's down hill all the way from here, having passed imaginary Shap a couple of days ago!

Fifteen years ago today, I began another metaphorical journey, as I stepped into the foot hills of what I termed Mount Chemo.  It's not a day I tend to mark, indeed, I hadn't really thought about it until I saw something on social media from someone just beginning their chemo journey.

I am so so very blessed to have lived in a place which, for all its flaws, was - and still is - able to offer world class health care free at the point of delivery.  I can't imagine how worrying it must be for people who, even in the west, are unable to access healthcare because they lack insurance or finance to pay for their care.

Tonight as I settle down in the safety of my home, I pause to think of those on unchosen journeys, literal or metaphorical, and to hold them before the God who loves them with a never-ending love.  

(Photo is sunset a couple of streets from my house)

... doesn't make for great song lyrics, but it's how far I've walked since Monday, a little over a quarter of my target for #RaceforRefugees and almost at 'virtual' Garstang as I walk to make believe Glasgow!.

Looking forward to the next week.

If you feel so moved, you can sponsor me here. 

Photo of back-to-school goody bags for children at church... I thought a dozen was plenty and to spare... actually it was just enough.

This morning we had our 'Back to School Sunday' followed by a Church Meeting.  There was much to make me go 'hmm...' the sense that God may be up to something  or saying something.

We closed our Sunday School when numbers dropped to one or sometimes two, and moved to a new model where most weeks the children are fully part of church... and today we had twelve children even with two of the regulars missing... Hmm...

When I arrived, congregations were in the middle twenties most weeks - this morning we passed fifty... Hmm...

Our church meeting was quite well attended, and the list of things we have done or are planning to do was exciting and almost dizzying... hmm...

At the same time our future is precarious as core members grow older, outgoings increase, and a listed building bring its own demands... hmm...

Moving into my final year of three, there is much to be thankful for, and much to mull over... and somewhere in it all, God is saying and doing stuff... hmm! 

it's not a good photo - taken on a phone, pointing straight at full, if low, sun.  But it captured a moment and a memory of the many times I took similar photos in Glasgow, especially during the various lockdowns.

Today was day 5 of my Race for Refugees, and consisted of an evening walk, just shy of eight miles, at the end of a very full week. In total I've walked almost 48 miles since Monday, which is a decent distance, and well on track for my goal. It's been challenging to ponder the reality of people who have no option but to get up and walk every day, just in the hope that there might be a safer, kinder, welcoming place at the end of the journey.

Tonight, I will sleep on a comfortable bed, with no threats to my safety... there are way too many people who cannot say that.