Have you ever wondered why the things that some people say become famous? I have often thought that I would like to take issue with the cynic who said, "It is better to journey hopefully, than to arrive". Our stay at Willersley Castle was definitely worth the drive; and anyone who has ever travelled back from Derbyshire, in the snow, as we did, would certainly disagree with that sentiment!! I would like to abbreviate it to: "It is better to travel hopefully"; because to me, that captures the whole essence of our weekend away. I had a sense of being a pilgrim-people; travelling hopefully, because we each had different hopes and expectations; and yet, it could never be said that we had arrived, because our walk with the Lord will never end.

Rev. Mark Wakelin, who is Becca Byass's dad, walked alongside us for the time we spent there. As the road takes unexpected twists and turns, so was the road we took with Mark as our guide, bringing us closer to the heart of the God of surprises, who is also God our Father, who loves us. At the beginning of the weekend, we were each given a postcard, on which we were to write what we hoped to get out of the weekend, seal it with our name on it; then, at the end of the weekend, we each received it back, so that we could see the ways in which God had blessed us.

"Castle" is a misnomer; Willersley is not so much a castle as a mansion, although the outside does look rather castle-like, and the location was wonderful. I'm sure it was much more comfortable than a castle, which for me conjures up grandiose pictures of baronial banqueting halls, long draughty corridors, high vaulted ceilings, archer's windows and walks on the battlements (in the teeth of a howling gale) - not to mention dungeons. Come to think of it, they certainly fed us well enough for it to have been a banquet. The view from the window in the prayer-room was lovely, so that it distracted me somewhat - as you will be aware, we were running with the baton for 24/7 prayer in our District, until Sunday lunchtime.

With Saturday afternoon at leisure, there were a variety of places to visit; Matlock and Matlock Bath, the old mill at Cromford; Chatsworth and Haddon Hall (a real castle) are a short drive away, but unfortunately were still closed for the winter. Richard & I chose to take the cable-car to the top of Abraham's heights - the Biblical name made us feel virtuous - which gave us access to the now defunct lead mine which enjoyed its heyday after the Great Fire of London. We climbed the folly and scoured the marvellous view, and, of course, visited the tea room, which was very welcome on such a bitterly cold afternoon. On our return, we had the opportunity to visit the prayer labyrinth, before the evening meal.

After supper, we were entertained by Liz & Martin's team-games, involving, amongst others: the handbag game; identify - and sing - that hymn; and the senses game, which required us, amongst other activities, to taste something which looked like blue Playdoh, with the texture of wet cardboard but which tasted of carrot (don't ask) - that one was nearly all 5 senses in one go. I tell you what Liz - the chocolate prizes never tasted so good!!

So what was the teaching about? Well, primarily it was about prayer, but Mark took a wider and more interactive view; because, as he said, talking about prayer is as interesting as talking about cooking. He needn't have worried; he was never dull. He had us in stitches with his stories about "Norfolk folk", where he grew up, and also how we tend to be so "down on ourselves" as Christians. But it had its serious side too; Gideon was also "in the pits", doing a dead-end job; and we were encouraged to write our own creed, with God's help, about all the positives that he has entrusted us with. On another occasion we tried an exercise in a type of lectio divina; we were given a scripture passage (Jesus calms the storm), sent away to read and meditate on it, to see what the Lord would bring to our attention, then write a prayer in the style of the passage. The prayers, some of which were shared in small groups, were lovely - you felt as though you were right there with Jesus.

On Sunday - our last day - we had a Celtic-style Communion Service, preceded by a Holy Space meditation with 4 different stations. I liked the way Mark brought the different elements from the stations to the communion table: flowers, candles, bread & 'wine'; and likened us, as the body of Christ, to being willing to be broken to feed others. But the impression that remains with me was the Emmaus Road exercise we did earlier that morning: of going out in pairs, for a walk in the falling snow, to practise our listening skills. We took turns to listen to each other - without interrupting - and imagined walking with Christ that Easter morning. It was breathtaking. So my theme has come full circle; my illustration of a journey, a walk in time, and a pilgrimage is completed; but as I said earlier, in a broader sense it is never complete; it is only just beginning.