Snowdrops and Third Space

I've covered plenty of miles this week - but unfortunately most of them were in the car...... I have to admit that the cyclist hasn't moved (she's probably snow-bound and frozen solid way up there in Scotland) and the walker hasn't done much better. I'm struggling to cross Dartmoor - perhaps because I am carrying slightly more weight after eating all those scones!

The motorist, on the other hand, has had a great time. Annie and I drove up to Derbyshire for the start of half term where Steve, Wendy, Kitty, Harry and Inca nobly supported the project with a walk amongst the snowdrops at Hopton Hall -

and then on to Carsington Water for a very draughty stride out along the shoreline.

On Sunday morning we joined Third Space at the bandstand in Matlock for "church without......" and pondered how the faith communities we belong to might offer "church with....". The group I attend - On the Edge - models "church with"......."listening"........"silence"........"sofas" - and much more.

http://third-space.org.uk/

This time last year we were all together in Pembrokeshire celebrating Steve's 50th birthday. The photo for my blog profile was taken then - and this year, shivering and yearning for the open fire that Harry eventually stoked to volcanic heat, we were grateful all over again that the weather had been so kind to us in 2010.

We may not have covered much ground this weekend in terms of miles, but friendships are forged and rooted in these shared experiences; in travelling together along life's path; in sharing laughter, frustrations and tears; in offering and receiving hospitality; in sharing bread - the true meaning of 'companion'.