Keith Stanley has been walking the Cotswold Way (104 miles) to raise funds to help some of the poorest families in the Kibera slum, Nairobi. He would like to help to buy a plot and simple house on the Turning Point community farm in Kingangop for one of the families. The total cost is £8,334 and Keith’s target towards this is £1,000.
If you could help, please send your cheque (payable to The Turning Point Trust) to Keith, c/o Revd David Parsons, 31 Couzens Close, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol. BS37 6BT. If you are a tax-payer and can Gift-Aid your donations it will help even more.
Here are his daily thoughts during his journey.
May 6th
Day 1 – Cotswold Way completed. Approx 24 miles total. Good walk but rather warm. Tomorrow is easier Old Sodbury to Wotton under Edge
Day 2 – Another good day walking. The Cotswold Way is a meandering route which is double the distance that the crow flies! WUE was todays destination. Visited 4 churches all providing a cool welcome from the radiant sun. Lots of great vistas and birdsong. Lots of time and space to be with God. He gave me my first blister! Tomorrow I head to Kings Stanley
Day 3 – and I’m now at Kings Stanley – a place name I strangely like!
No rain until the last half hour of walk. Nice B&B and comfortable bed.
I’m keeping a little journal of my travels and the scriptures or hymns I find in churches. Tomorrows destination is Birdlip. Thanks for your prayers.
Day 4 – Now at Birdlip and staying at Royal George Hotel. Weather not so good today but have had the wind on my back. Forests are great for staying dry(ish)! Stopped in Painswick church for a while and felt spiritually refreshed. Regret Stu and Val can’t meet up tonight but Ali Newport is! Marching onwards to Cleeve Hill tomorrow.
Christ’s Blessings to you this Ascension Day
Day 5 – I’ve now completed Day 5 of 7. Now in Cleeve Hill enjoying cider and a big meal!
Now walked over 80 miles of Cotswold Way just another 24 to do by Sunday. A very different pace of life. Weather is cooler now, was tanning up nicely but lucky as had only a little rain – just wind on the tops of hills. Got lots of photos so maybe able to do a slide show. God’s glorious creation is everywhere. Have a good weekend.
Day 6 – Now at Stanton with only 10.5 miles remaining. There was a torrential downpour today but I was in Winchcombe so able to take shelter. Visiting the parish church of St Peter was an amazing experience with bells ringing and organ music. The East windows is stunning too. Some wonderful buildings in this district. Rather a shame I’ll be reaching the end tomorrow. Lots to think about.
Day 7 – I’ve made it! Arrived in Chipping Camden at 3pm just as the heavens opened! A journey in which my pace of life has slowed down and enabled me to be closer to a Glorious God. A great journey and a walk I didn’t want to end. Much for me to think about but now time just to give thanks for a walk safely completed and for the loving support offered.
For more information on The Turning Point Trust check out their website www.tptrust.org
