Two months after the initial invitation we’d finalised arrangements and I headed off on my pilgrimage.  In the spirit of the adventure I’d chosen to enjoy the journey to the north-east, and planned an overnight at the YHA at Eyam in Derbyshire, the ‘plague village’ where roughly a third of the population died after they voluntarily quarantined the village for 14 months to prevent it spreading. This would have interesting connections for me a couple of months later (more of that under Healing).

The following morning I swapped stories with a fellow traveller, someone from Bristol who was cycle-touring in the area. He had been made redundant and had started a bicycle repair business – how Pythonesque, my own ‘bicycle repair man’. The journey to Newcastle to collect the key to the cottage took me via the Angel of the North for a meditation break and an opportunity to photograph the beautiful sculpture, a popular tourist attraction. My ‘host’ also provided me with refreshments and more interesting conversation before wishing me well on my ‘retreat’. 

I was heading to Berwick to get some basic provisions for my stay, but decided on a quick recce visit to see the causeway, even though I ‘d seen the tide times which confirmed it was still under water. As I was enjoying the view and getting a few photos I was surprised to be approached by someone who engaged me in conversation; he was from “my part of the world”, the Rhondda, so not too far away. He asked “Are you seeking”; I responded “no, just strengthening my connection”, which seemed to satisfy both of us. After a few more minutes conversation he melted away into the landscape and I was once more on my own. I went off to do my shopping trip and was back just after dark, by which time the waters had receded and the causeway was passable. I was able to settle in to my temporary home for the next week or so and look forward to some interesting inner, and outer, journeys.