ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME

STORIES FROM MCCABE - ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME!

Written by Revd Penelope Swithinbank

The Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome, first recorded by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, leading across France, over the Alp and down through northern Italy and Tuscany, and finally to Rome itself.  Until fairly recently, it was almost unknown except by a very few stalwarts and even now, it is far less busy and ‘touristy’ than the more famous Camino de Compostela. 

We’ve led many pilgrimages on the Via Francigena down through Tuscany and into Lazio, and have reached Viterbo. Now it’s time for the final week’s walk into Rome itself. Whether you’ve walked any or none of the route, this promises to be another glorious week, with its departure from everyday life, on a journey, in search of spiritual well-being, and to spend time walking with God. It’s walking at the 3 mph speed of your soul, as someone once said, which is our natural walking pace.  It’s a slowing down - slowing down in order to catch up. To pay attention to God, to one’s soul, to the world around us.

What’s involved? Well, walking mostly!

But also, enjoying moments of sheer bliss – and sheer hell if you have blisters or can’t get to the top without vast effort. Rest each night at interesting and well-chosen hotels; appreciate time with the Lord as you are led through different Spiritual experiences either while walking or later in the evening devotional slot.

 Just 7 days to recalibrate – to think, to breathe, maybe to pray. To connect with your steps as perhaps you’ve never done before. To make those steps count. It could well be life changing.

And then there’s helping one another and encouraging one another especially when it’s raining, or you’ve got blisters, or you feel you can’t walk another step! Sharing provisions and rain equipment and sunscreen - whatever you have that another needs. It’s unforgettable!  You’ll come back changed in one way or another. One of our pilgrims heard a calling to full time ministry; another began a writing career when he discovered the joy of a daily journal while on the pilgrimage. 

For over 1,000 years pilgrims have walked this route, traced their steps along the ancient strade bianche (white stony tracks) over the hills and alongside verdant vineyards. Still, it is each and every step YOU’LL take that calls to you. 

We’d love for you to join us on this Pilgrimage to Rome, next May - 2025 is a Year of Jubilee of HOPE and this will be our guiding theme for the Pilgrimage. 

 For full details click here

 The Revds Kim & Penelope Swithinbank have led many Pilgrimages over the years, and enjoy tramping the hills and vales near their home in Bath. They have worked in churches in the UK and the USA. Find out more here www.penelopeswithinbank.com

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Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 - 16:00

Come for a little walk? EVENT CANCELLED

FOR VARIOUS REASONS THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED - POSTPONED FOR A LATER DATE, hopefully.

A DAY of PILGRIMAGE

 Have you ever made a pilgrimage? Spent time out in nature, just walking, reflecting, praying, noticing, and walking some more? Or wished you had but don’t know where to start – literally as well as spiritually? Or haven’t the time or money to go walk-about for an extended period?

Come and join me on a day’s pilgrimage and discover just how beautiful and life-changing it can be. 

-       The walk will be about 10 miles And we’ll have some fun and enjoy ourselves!

-       It will be like a day on a longer pilgrimage, starting and ending in prayer, taking time with the Lord and with one another, making new relationships and deepening others.

-       As we walk, sometimes we’ll chat to each other, sometimes walk in silence with something to reflect on or pray through. 

-       We might sing or do a ‘spiritual exercise.’

-       We’ll learn how to take joy in the journey.

When and where and who

Saturday October 19th  2024.  10.30am – 4.30pm

Dorchester-on-Thames, nr Oxford. Full details of where to meet will provided near the time.

A group of 16 max (including me!)  So do sign up soon.  Invite a friend to come with you or come alone, your choice. It’s open to anyone and everyone!

What you need   - here are some general guidelines for those not too sure. 

-       Good walking boots, walking socks, waterproofs (this IS England!) 

-       a small backpack to carry the day’s needs. 

-       Comfortable clothes for walking (jeans are not recommended!)

-       Your own picnic lunch.

-       Plenty of water to drink. I usually carry 2 bottles of water and a flask of hot coffee!

-       A moderately good level of fitness. This being Bath, there are hills in the area, but we will go slowly when necessary! And pause to look at the view ....

Optional extras

-       Walking poles. I like one, other people prefer two.

-       Spare sweater. 

-       Sun cream (there’s always hoping)

-       Snacks to keep you energized, eg a good low sugar trail mix or energy bar. Or bananas.

Included in the day’s pilgrimage:

-       A fully guided walk of about 10 miles

-       Spiritual input and guidance

-       Resources

-       Basic First aid 

-       Support and guidance as needed before and during the day.

 NB: we turn off our mobile phones, or at least put them in airplane mode for the day.  And we are unable to have pets accompany us this time.

Cost for the day 

The cost for all this is just £20, payable on booking. (see below for details) or £25 if paying on the day.

 Not included:

-       Travel to and from the pilgrimage

-       Insurance/cover for any injuries (we hope and pray there won’t be any!)

-       Food and drink

This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”     Jer. 6:16

The beginning/end of The Cotswold Way, just outside Bath Abbey, with the verse from Jeremiah.

 For centuries, Christians have walked to special places, to take time to be with God and allow God the time and space to work in their lives. A pilgrimage is a setting aside of one’s normal routine, and taking time to reflect on what the Lord is saying, and allowing the rhythm of the walk to give mental and spiritual refreshment. It is a physical expression of our spiritual journey with God; it is a time to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation in the company of others; and it is a desire to spend quality time with God in a new way.

It is a walk with a difference.

 To book your place and be sent details of how to book and pay, please email me:  penelope@ministriesbydesign.org 

Looking forward to walking with you!

May you take joy in your  journey as you walk with Him

Do pop over to my website and buy a signed copy of a book. You might especially enjoy ‘Walking Back to Happiness’ - the story of backpacking right across France from the Med to the Atlantic.

Join me for a day of pilgrimage Sat Oct 19th 2024

Have you ever made a pilgrimage? Spent time out in nature, just walking, reflecting, praying, noticing, and walking some more? Or wished you had but don’t know where to start – literally as well as spiritually? Or haven’t the time or money to go walk-about for an extended period?

Join me on a day’s pilgrimage and discover just how beautiful and life changing it can be.

-       The walk will be about 10 miles And we’ll have some fun and enjoy ourselves!

-       It will be like a day on a longer pilgrimage, starting and ending in prayer, taking time with the Lord and with one another, making new relationships and deepening others.

-       As we walk, sometimes we’ll chat to each other, sometimes walk in silence with something to reflect on or pray through.

-       We might sing or do a ‘spiritual exercise.’

-       We’ll learn how to take joy in the journey.

When and where and who

Saturday October 19th 2024. 

10.30am – 4.30pm

Dorchester-on-Thames, just south of Oxford

Full details of where to meet will provided nearer the time. It is a circular walk and there is plenty of parking where we start/end. It’s 10 miles - my mileage in the photo above included a small errand earlier in the day!

There are two or three places en route where you could opt out and call a taxi if needed (but we really hope that won’t be necessary!). You need the security of knowing that, however.

A group of 16 max (including me!)  So do sign up soon.  Invite a friend to come with you or come alone, your choice.

What you need   - here are some general guidelines for those not too sure.

-       Good walking boots or shoes, walking socks, waterproofs (this IS England!)

-       a small backpack to carry the day’s needs.

-       Comfortable clothes for walking (jeans are not recommended!)

-       Your own picnic lunch.

-       Plenty of water to drink. I usually carry 2 bottles of water and a flask of hot coffee!

-       A moderately good level of fitness. There are a couple of gradual climbs /hills, but we will go slowly when necessary! And pause to look at the view ....

Optional extras

-       Walking poles. I like one, other people prefer two.

-       Spare sweater.

-       Sun cream (there’s always hoping)

-       Snacks to keep you energized, eg a good low sugar trail mix or energy bar. Or bananas.

Included in the day’s pilgrimage:

-       A fully guided walk of about 10 miles

-       Spiritual input and guidance

-       Any resources that will be required

-       Basic First aid

-       Support and guidance as needed before and during the day.

NB: we turn off our mobile phones, or at least put them in airplane mode for the day. And apologies, but no pets this time.

Cost for the day

The cost for all this is just £20, payable in advance; or £25 if paid on the day.

Not included:

-       Travel to and from the pilgrimage

-       Insurance/cover for any injuries (we hope and pray there won’t be any!)

-       Food and drink

This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”     Jer. 6:16

For centuries, Christians have walked to special places, to take time to be with God and allow God the time and space to work in their lives. A pilgrimage is a setting aside of one’s normal routine, and taking time to reflect on what the Lord is saying, and allowing the rhythm of the walk to give mental and spiritual refreshment. It is a physical expression of our spiritual journey with God; it is a time to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation in the company of others; and it is a desire to spend quality time with God in a new way.

It is a walk with a difference.

Winchester Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral, September 2021

I’m used to walking!

The booking form is below.   Copy/paste, to email your completed booking form to me here

To pay: £20    Please quote your name as reference Thank you.

 BACS payment

Sort Code: 09-01-28    A/C name: Rev P J Swithinbank     A/c no: 77218204

Paypal friends and family:  penelope@ministriesbydesign.org

Credit Card: https://penelopeswithinbank.com/orders (please note there is a small admin fee added)

AND - advanced notice and an invitation:

If you enjoy walking on pilgrimage, my husband and I will be leading TWO pilgrimages in 2025.

May - the last week of the Via Francigena into Rome, organised with McCabe Pilgrimages. About 60 miles, plus two days in Rome.

We will be walking from Viterbo to Rome

September - a week walking in the Austrian Alps, in the Pitzal area, organised with McCabe Pilgrimages. About 10 miles each day, returning to a lovely hotel where we stay.

Brochures will be out this September, very soon, so let me know if you’d be interested to see them.

A DAY of PILGRIMAGE

Booking  Form

Name     _________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________

City        _________________________________

County   ______________________________________________

Post code ___________     

Home Telephone ___________________   Mobile _______________________

Email     ___________________________________________________

Age          ____________________

Next of kin to contact in case of emergencies

Name _________________  Phone ______________________

Relationship to you ___________________________________

Church you attend          _______________________________

Please briefly describe any other retreats or Pilgrimages you have been on

Please briefly describe why you would like to come on the Day of Pilgrimage

Looking forward to walking with you!

Walk into Rome with us in the Jubilee Year of 2025

a very special pilgrimage

Walk into Rome, on pilgrimage, in the Year of Jubilee 2025

 Pope Francis has declared 2025 as a year of Jubilee * with the theme of Hope

 Join us on pilgrimage, walking from Viterbo into Rome, some 60 miles, followed by time in Rome itself.  It will be organized for us by McCabe Pilgrimages   https://www.mccabe-travel.co.uk

and the Revds Kim and Penelope Swithinbank will be your pilgrimage leaders.

 We will be walking the final 60 miles of the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome, on the Via Cassia through the Lazio area, in late spring. Etruscan roads and Roman roads, strade bianche (white farm tracks) and footpaths, followed by the unavoidable walk through the outskirts of Rome .... and then the amazing crossing of the Tiber and into St Peter’s Square.

Walking on Roman roads!

This diagram is taken from ATG; our walk will be different but with the same route and (a few) ups and (some) downs and the flat stretch into Rome itself and then – the fabulous walk across the Tiber to St Peter’s Square.

Our theme will of course be HOPE. The jubilee year already has lots of preparations in place; there is a Jubilee hymn, prayer, and Pilgrimage Card. It’s all very exciting as we think about the HOPE we have in the Lord.

Places are limited to 25, and we don’t want you to miss out on this very special opportunity, so pop over to the McCabe website and book now! We’d love to have you join us.

Hope to see you in Viterbo and on to Rome!

I run on coffee….

there’s always time for a gelato for him…. but our favourite one is in the Trastavere in Rome!

*“Jubilee” is the name given to a particular year; the name comes from the instrument used to mark its launch. In this case, the instrument in question is the yobel, the ram's horn, used to proclaim the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This (Jewish) holiday occurs every year, but it takes on special significance when it marks the beginning of a Jubilee year. We can find an early indication of it in the Bible: a Jubilee year was to be marked every 50 years, since this would be an “extra” year, one which would happen every seven weeks of seven years, i.e., every 49 years (cf. Leviticus 25:8-13). Even though it wasn’t easy to organise, it was intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation, and involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields.

Quoting the prophet Isaiah, the Gospel of Luke describes Jesus’ mission in this way: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord,” (Luke 4:18-19; cf. Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus lives out these words in his daily life, in his encounters with others and in his relationships, all of which bring about liberation and conversion.

In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII called the first Jubilee, also known as a “Holy Year,” since it is a time in which God's holiness transforms us. 

LAST AND FINAL CALL!

Hallo there - this is the Last and final Call!  What are you doing in May?

Come to Turkey for the pilgrimage of a lifetime in the steps of Paul and the early church.

Ephesus

Join us for a very special pilgrimage to the 7 Churches of Asia Minor, Istanbul

 and the ancient cave churches of Cappadocia

May 13-24 2024 

An afternoon’s river cruise on the Bosphorus, Istanbul

We have been asked by McCabe Pilgrimages  to host a tour of the churches of Asia Minor -  a tour of Turkey which includes:

- three days in Istanbul, visiting the famous landmarks and enjoying a river cruise

- time in each of the sites of the ancient churches (think Revelation and the 7 letters it contains to Ephesus, Laodicea, Pergamum ...) 

- a visit to Cappadocia and the incredible cave churches of very early Christian belief.

As you may know, Kim  has lived in Turkey and has led tours there before. We have been several times, including the McCabe Leadership Training week to Turkey in March 2020 – we thought we might not get back in time before lockdown, but we did bring back in our suitcases all the loo rolls we could find! Remember those strange days?

Now we are privileged to be leading a tour with McCabe who have put together an incredible itinerary for us:

-        staying in wonderful hotels (fancy a Turkish bath in a Hammam?) 

-        visiting the amazing and inspiring sites of early Christian faith and helping to bring alive to us what happened during the first couple of centuries as the Gospel began to spread.  

-        A local and knowledgeable guide will take us on the tour

-        Kim and I will lead the devotional times of worship and prayer, which will sometimes be actually at some of the sites. 

It is a very powerful few days and has been inspirational for each of us on previous visits. 

-        The group is intentionally small, and there are only a couple of spaces still available. 

-        It is 12 days of being immersed in the New Testament times and the faith of the early Christians and the early Church.

-        The cost includes all excursions, all entrance fees, all gratuities, all Bed/Breakfast, most dinners and several lunches, It is extremely good value!

-        If you are flying direct to Istanbul (eg from the USA) there is a reduced cost for land only; you can book flights to meet us at the airport and join the group and the coach there for transfer to the hotel

For full details of the pilgrimage with brochure and booking details, pop over to the McCabe website here

If you have any further questions, drop me an email here .  And do bring a friend with you - you can forward this to them!

Do be praying and thinking about whether to join us. We’d love to have you come. 

- Penelope & Kim

the Revds Penelope & Kim Swithinbank 

Penelope Swithinbank is an experienced pilgrimage and retreat leader, conference speaker and Spiritual Director/Therapist.  She has been leading retreats and pilgrimages for nearly 20 years, regularly leads pilgrimages in the UK, such as the Celtic Pilgrimage in Cornwall; and on the Via Francigena in Italy. She has had an international ministry, including churches in America and the UK, and speaking on Women's Retreats and leading conferences. Her most special memory is of opening the US Senate in prayer and being guest chaplain. Penelope is an avid walker and spends a lot of her time stomping in the hills and valleys near her home outside Bath. She is the author of three books, Women by Design; Walking Back to Happiness; Scent of Water. She is a wife, mother and grandmother and says of the 6 grandchildren that they are so wonderful she should have had them first.

Kim Swithinbank has been in Christian ministry for over 40 years, mostly as a parish priest in both the UK and the USA. He has also worked with Christian Viewpoint for Men, and was the Director of the Network of Alpha Churches in the USA. Kim has had an international conference speaking role in the States, the UK and in Australia, and has always enjoyed extensive travelling - probably due to his childhood having been spent in Malta, Singapore and Turkey. He has a wide range of interests, including the theatre, American politics and good food; but his main hobby is golf - his wife might even have mentioned the word fanatic at some point. Together, Kim and Penelope have led many pilgrimages, to Italy, to Cornwall and to Oberammergau, with groups from 6 or 7 to 48! Some of his most interesting experiences include running out of petrol (several times), opening the US Senate in prayer as guest chaplain on several occasions and leading Bible Studies in the Pentagon. He is a husband, a father and a grandfather to 6 grandchildren and 3 granddogs!

Pop over to my latest posts here: 

https://penelopeswithinbank.substack.com/p/hows-lent-going-or-the-new-year-resolutions                                      https://penelopeswithinbank.substack.com/p/self-checkouts

How to walk over 200 miles in 19 days

Day 1: start at Coventry Cathedral with Bishop Christopher. He kindly prayed with me, walked me down the aisle and out into the old ruins to send me on my way!

Days 2-18: walk some 12-15 miles a day along the waterways of England

Coventry Canal, Oxford Canal, The Thames Path from Oxford to Reading, Kennett and Avon Canal.

Day 19: have friends join you to walk the last 11 miles into Bath Abbey.

Be totally surprised and astonished when the Great West Doors are opened specially for you to welcome you home!

Walk another mile and get home to bubbles, broken boots and ceremonially binning of said boots.

VITAL STATISTICS:

- Airbnbs paid for by putting our guest room on Airbnb over the summer to earn the money for the trip

- 209 miles total from Coventry Cathedral to Bath Abbey

- longest day: day 4, when HS2 works added a 5 mile deviation making just over 20 miles total for the day

- 1 bad fall.

- 1 kingfisher spotted (on the Thames Path)

- 2 days of rain

- 19 days total, with 2 days off

- 4 or 5 days of INTENSE heat at the start

- biggest surprise: one Airbnb host couple turned out to be a retired Bishop and his wife!

- next biggest surprise: people I met on the way sponsoring me

- 4 waterways: Coventry Canal. Oxford Canal, Thames Path, Kennet and Avon Canal. Hardly any hills!

- 7 joyous days when family or friends joined me to walk

- 8 nights of staying with family or friends

- worst day: day 4, with bad fall + 5 mile deviation

- best day: day 19, walking with friends to cheer me into Bath Abbey, where the great West Doors were opened specially to welcome me in!

- listen to Lectio365 and The Rabbit Hole Detectives podcasts to spur me on each day!

- raise almost £4,000 for the work of International Justice Mission, who are working to help end slavery and human trafficking around the world

- most grateful for: all those who have sponsored me! That’s amazing. Thank you, thank you. Justgiving page open until the end of the month so it’s not too late

- and grateful to the Lord walking with me, guiding and keeping me safe.

Feeling very very fit and totally elated! What an epic journey. Thank you for all your support and encouraging messages.

I’VE DONE IT!

A brief overview of some of the days:

Day 3: Brinklow to Willoughby. 14 miles. Started early to beat the intense heat but was absolutely dripping by mid morning. Good thing it’s a flat path - although I did ‘climb’ up to Hilmorton Locks! A long dank tunnel at Newbold. Rugby commemorated at Rugby.

The landlord at The Barley Mow in Newbold wouldn’t let me pay for my coffee when he discovered I’m walking for charity; Hannah, my host tonight (it’s a little self catering studio) has provided my food for supper and won’t accept payment; and Cher the beagle whom I met on the towpath this morning, has added to my Justgiving page.

All is gift and I feel extremely blessed.

Day Four: on to Claydon. TWENTY plus miles - not what I had intended. It’s been a tough day with 2 unfortunate incidents. Please make it a better day and cheer me up by donating to IJM on my Justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/coventry-bath-pilgrimage

First - such an overgrown tow path, full of nettles, brambles, and a trailing hidden something in which I caught my boot. Fell heavily, fortunately not sideways into canal and fortunately nothing broken or sprained (thank you Lord) but a badly grazed knee that needed my first aid kit.

And then - a closed towpath due to huge HS2 works that sent me on a long detour to get back to the canal. Added 5 or 6 miles.

BUT it did mean I saw an amazing bird (see photo) and went through the pretty village of Wormleighton, 15/16C and the original home of the Spencer family until they’d made a fortune from the wool trade and could buy Althorp!

Lots of hips, sloes, crab apples (slippery under foot when they drop and cover the path) blackberries and autumn colours.. Cooler today, 21-22 max with a breeze, which made a difference.

Still, a tough day! Please cheer me up and donate! Thank you - every little will make a huge difference to someone’s life.

Day 6: Anyho to Shipton-on-Cherwell. An easy day of 13.75 miles, cooler temperatures and lovely sun. Enjoyed my free lunchtime entertainment watching people cope with the lock gates!

But the best thing of all: Jessie, a gorgeous 18 month old black and white springer spaniel, played with me for ages while Mandy, her owner, told me of her husband’s brain tumour and lung cancer; he does better when they’re on their boat. I promised to pray for him as I walked. Later I discovered Mandy & Jessie donated to my Justgiving page! That means so much.

Day Eleven. Thames Path to Streatley, with friends from university days, Roger & Elizabeth Murphy. We were absolutely drenched first thing in torrential rain but later enjoyed a pleasantly sunny autumn day, pausing for a cup of tea at the B&W by the water. The good news is that I’m over 90% of the way to my total for @ijm_uk . The bad news is that there are millions of people in slavery today who need our help to enable @ijm to work for their freedom. Every little helps

Day 13: my fourth and final waterway begins in Reading - the Kennet and Avon Canal, taking me all the way home to Bath! Feels good! The first part is named The Way of St James and there were signs for the Camino to Santiago. Not this time …..

Left Reading in warm sunshine but Nigel was soon making his stormy presence felt. Slightly sheltered by the canal but trees were creaking swaying alarmingly. However, managed today’s 10 miles without any rain. Just reached my accommodation before the heavens opened!

Nearly nearly at my goal for @ijm_uk so please do go to my Justgiving page and let’s help @ijm in their work to help free those trapped in slavery. 12 million children around the world are trapped in slavery. That’s the equivalent of every child in England and Wales. Please help them - every little helps.

Day 15 …. And, if I’m honest, beginning to feel quite tired! Can I go home yet?? Oh no - not quite at Bath yet; 3 more days of walking…. Please please make it worthwhile and cheer me on by contributing to my target (nearly nearly there!) for the work of @ijm_uk @ijm as they work to end slavery.

Day 16 on a bee yew tee full day! Good to be walking! Except currently sitting in a field (by the canal) for a revitalising coffee break You’ve enabled me to beat my target for @ijm_uk ! Yay . They need every Penny to help stop trafficking and slavery so my Justgiving page is still open.

Day 16. A very pretty day! The White Horse Trail on Pewsey Downs, with Adam’s Grave Hill, and The White Horse all up above me to my right. I kept to the Kennet and Avon Canal, all the way to Devizes, where I treated myself to a drink in The Barge Inn and made a new friend in a large chicken. To which my son wrote, Been gone a while, haven’t you Mum

But it’s been worth it - donations to sponsor my walk and help @ijm work to end trafficking and slavery are still flowing in! . Every little helps to release the captives

And now it’s all over! It still seems extraordinary that I’ve walked over 200 miles over these past few days; that Bishop Christopher started me off; that the Great West Doors of Bath Abbey opened to admit me …. And utterly amazing to have raised so much for the work of IJM: total is now almost £4,000. The Justgiving page is open until the end of the month, and every little really does help.

HUGE thanks to all who’ve donated; to all who’ve supported me, walked with me, given me a bed. Couldn’t have done it without you all.

Walking Back to Happiness indeed.

News from my solo 200 miles pilgrimage

A PILGRIMAGE TO HELP END SLAVERY

8-26 September 2023

Well – I’m nearly there! Nearly at the end of a 200 mile solo pilgrimage, from Coventry Cathedral to Bath Abbey, with just two more days to go. Here’s a little taste of some of the 19 days so far, with weather ranging from the oppressive heatwave of that first weekend of mid 30sC to storm Nigel and torrential rain!

TWENTY MILES due to a diversion; plus a bad fall. Day 4 was certainly ‘interesting!’

Day 16. A very pretty day! The White Horse Trail on Pewsey Downs, with Adam’s Grave Hill, and The White Horse all up above me to my right. I kept to the Kennet and Avon Canal, all the way to Devizes, where I treated myself to a drink in The Bridge Inn and made a new friend in a large chicken. To which my son wrote, Been gone a while, haven’t you Mum! 

But it’s been worth it - donations to sponsor my walk and help @ijm work to end trafficking and slavery are still flowing in!  Every little helps to release the captives. Justgiving page is open until the end of the month.

The work that Bath Abbey is doing in regard to the Monuments and Memorials that adorn the walls, and the issues being raised about slavery, have got me thinking! We can't personally do anything to change history and the fact that slavery and people trafficking occurred; but we CAN learn from history, and we CAN do something positive to try to end the slavery and human trafficking that is happening today. I decided to celebrate my 70th birthday with a Pilgrimage, and ask people to sponsor the miles by making a donation to IJM.

The International Justice Mission is a non-profit organisation that works to help end human trafficking - a horrifying 40 million people are waiting for rescue, restoration and justice. IJM is the largest international anti-slavery organization. It works in almost 20 communities around the world to fight for justice on behalf of those who are being oppressed. Because of IJM supporters, families have been freed from slavery, girls from brothels and children from cybersex trafficking. It was founded by Gary Haugen, who was a member of the church where I served in ministry in Virginia.  www.ijmuk.org/

I've two days more walking to reach Bath Abbey and the 200 hundred miles in September 2023, from Coventry Cathedral to Bath Abbey, where I hope a clergy member from the Bath Abbey team will meet me for a final prayer and blessing.  

The Church Times is interested in a story about my pilgrimage, and IJM_UK have already featured it on their social media accounts a couple of times.

I’m aiming to raise funds through sponsorship to help the mission of IJM - to help end slavery in our lifetime. I had hoped to raise £10 for every mile I walk; and the great news is that people have blown that out of the water and we are well over! Would you help me raise it even further with a small contribution to IJM? You can sponsor my miles with a donation to my IJM fundraising page on JUSTGIVING. Thank you. When I read that children, equivalent to the number of children in all of England and Wales, are currently in slavery all around the world, it made me even more determined to help IJM in their work to set the captives free. Every little helps. 

Thank you.   I’m aiming to be in Bath Abbey by 3.45pm on Tuesday September 26th; I’d love to have a huge total of donations for IJM by then!

Walking from Coventry to Bath via the Coventry Canal, the Oxford Canal, the Thames Path and the Kennet and Avon Canal.

The planned route. Some of the mileage turned out a little differently! I’ll do a final total at the end of Tuesday 26th when I reach Bath Abbey.

A Pilgrimage to Help End Slavery - Coventry Cathedral to Bath Abbey. 220 miles

UPDATE: by Sept 4th, before beginning the walk, your generosity meant that I was over 80% of the way to the total of £2000 that I wanted to raise for the work of IJM (see below) - £10 for each of the 200 miles I’ll be walking. Thank you, thank you -that’s amazing!

(you can donate here)

Would you help me reach a new total - together we can support IJM and their valuable work around the globe to help those who need it most and end slavery, trafficking and violence.

My family & friends said to raise the total and set a new goal of £3000. Will you join in and help me make it and give even more help to those IJM are working with? You can donate here

read on to discover how you can help …

So yes, I’d hoped to post each day’s progress here on my blog. But I’ve now discovered that I can’t do that from my phone - and I don’t want to carry a laptop in my backpack. My daily updates will have to be on Social Media - Facebook and Instagram. Pop on over to see how I’m doing! (penelopeswithinbank on both)

And you can help me reach my goal for IJM here

3 weeks of Pilgrimage: Coventry Cathedral to Bath Abbey September 2023

Coventry Cathedral to Bath Abbey

200 miles of a solo pilgrimage to celebrate my 70th birthday and raise sponsorships money for the work of IJM - read on for more details!

My last solo pilgrimage was The Pilgrim’s Way, from Winchester to Canterbury - two years ago. Time to don the boots and backpack again…..

Walking to help Women

trapped in slavery and sex trafficking

by supporting the work of International Justice Mission (IJM)

September 2023

Part of the celebrations for my 70th birthday! 

Today, there are over 40 million people trapped in slavery who need rescue.

WHO or WHAT IS IJM?

“ IJM ** is the largest international anti-slavery organization.  We work in almost 20 communities around the world to fight for justice on behalf of those who are being oppressed.  Because of IJM supporters, families have been freed from slavery, girls from brothels and children from cybersex trafficking. ”

You can read more about IJM and its work here

But there are still 40 million people who are waiting for rescue, restoration and justice. And that depends on IJM supporters—people like you & me.

So I‘m walking about 200 hundred miles in September 2023, from Coventry Cathedral to Bath Abbey, aiming to raise funds through sponsorship to help the mission of IJM – to help end slavery in our lifetime.

My route is a (fairly flat!) canal and river walk, starting from Coventry Cathedral, along the Coventry Canal to Hawkesbury Junction, then south on the Oxford Canal via Rugby and Banbury to Oxford Cathedral; the Thames Path will take me from Oxford through Abingdon and Pangbourne, on to Reading, where I turn west along the Kennet and Avon Canal past Hungerford, Newbury and Pewsey to Bath Abbey.  Some 200 miles.

 WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

-        Pray. Pray, pray, pray for the work of IJM.  Pray for the walk, for safety, for strength and for determination to finish and walk every single step from Coventry Cathedral to Bath Abbey.

-        Provide a bed or a meal along the way. Do you live near the route? Could you pick me up from the path, drive me to your home and give me DBnB for a night? (and take me back the next morning!)

-        Promenade. Join me for a day to walk.  Ask others to sponsor you too for IJM for the miles you walk.

-        Pledge Sponsor the miles I do by making a donation to my IJM fundraising page on JUSTGIVING:  www.justgiving.com/page/coventry-bath-pilgrimage  

** IJM was founded by Gary Haugen, who was a member of the church where I served in ministry in Virginia. IJM is now a global organisation, partnering with local justice systems to end violence against people living in poverty, with the aim TO END SLAVERY, TRAFFICKING AND VIOLENCE.

Read the story of how IJM began and where it is today here

By giving, you will help send freedom, protection and justice to people in urgent need, and help IJM's local teams and partners walk with people who have experienced violence and slavery so they can rebuild their lives in freedom.

I'd love to raise £10 for every mile I walk.

Would you help me do this with a small contribution towards my goal?

And then together we can support IJM and their valuable work around the globe to help those who need it most and end slavery, trafficking and violence.

Thank you in advance for whatever you're able to donate. I'll be posting on my website at the end of each day's walk, so you can follow my progress there!

And do come and join me for a day of walking along the way if you'd like to - and maybe have your friends sponsor you too to add to the amount we can raise for IJM.

Sponsor my walk for IJM here Thank you.

Proposed itinerary/mileage The plan (subject to finalisation at the moment!) :

Part One: Coventry and Oxford Canals 

Coventry Cathedral to Oxford Cathedral

Part Two: Thames Path

Oxford Cathedral to Reading

Part Three: Kennet and Avon Canal

Reading to Bath Abbey

A Reluctant Pilgrim in need of Forgiveness. And a GLORIOUS GIVEAWAY!

THE PILGRIM - a wonderful new novel by Joy Margetts.

Read on for the blurb, an interview with Joy herself, details of where to purchase this and her other books, AND details of how to be in with a chance to win a signed copy of The Pilgrim!

BLURB:

Driven by ambition and family expectation, young Henry de Brampton is determined to make his mark. Destined for a prestigious career in the Church, he readily embraces the chance to experience the world before taking his vows. But fuelled by selfish desire, he recklessly betrays those he loves, with devastating consequences.

Overwhelmed with guilt, he seeks redemption among the Cistercians of Abbey Cwmhir and finds a new identity as Brother Hywel. Yet a further thoughtless betrayal will prove he cannot escape himself, and he is forced on pilgrimage to save his vocation.

A reluctant pilgrim, can the unlikely company help him discover what it truly means to be great in God’s eyes, and will Hywel ever be willing not just to receive forgiveness but also to forgive himself?

INTERVIEW WITH JOY MARGETTS, author of THE PILGRIM

I asked Joy -
- Why is pilgrimage so important a theme in the book? Does pilgrimage feature in your life?

I think pilgrimage takes many forms. I would love to do a physical pilgrimage – walking ancient paths that millions have trod before – but my physical limitations make that an impossibility at the moment. I love visiting the places where pilgrims have been. Those sacred places where you can sit and rest and know the nearness of God  - ‘thin places’ some call them. Anywhere where people have met with God over centuries has a special atmosphere to me – whether it be abbey ruins or lonely offshore islands. So I visit them, and these inspire my writing. I think about the people that have been there before me and create stories about what might have happened to them there.

I really believe that God meets with anyone who sets out to discover more of Him. That can be in undertaking a physical pilgrimage, or in just putting aside time and space for Him. I do love the way that pilgrimage enables a separation from the ordinary and everyday, the things that might distract from our communion with God. I love places where you can go and stay, retreat centres like Ffald y Brenin, where you can just focus on meeting with God for the time you are there.

I think for Brother Hywel he needed to be away from the familiar, to be challenged by the simplicity of the pilgrim experience, in order to meet God in a meaningful way. Of course pilgrimage also puts you in the company of others, and that companionship can also be a source of great blessing and/or testing of character. Hywel discovers that too.

- how have you seen God heal?

I have seen God heal in many ways, and some of those are recreated in the pilgrim’s stories in the novel. I have seen a woman healed in a moment from a lifetime of chronic life-limiting asthma. I have seen a man healed gradually from heart disease – he believed God had healed him before the physical manifestation of that healing. I have seen people healed from emotional burdens as God has touched deep wounds in their lives. I have seen a young woman walk free from addiction and another delivered from self- harming. I have also seen friends taken home to heaven to receive their full healing.

 I have experienced God’s healing myself. For years I struggled with depression and with God’s help I walked free of it.  I live with a chronic illness now, but His healing of that is ongoing and evident, and I have hope for complete healing in time. I can write about healing because I absolutely believe in a God who heals today, as He has done for centuries.  I’ve seen too many miracles to not believe it.

*****

I very much enjoyed The Pilgrim and found it a moving and encouraging story. Joy’s debut novel, The Healing, was published last year, and was and is a book about HOPE. The Healing tells the story of a young man’s experience of the healing and restorative power of God leading him out of despair. God bit by bit rebuilds his life and gives him a future better than he ever could have imagined. (see more about The Healing and my review here) This new book, The Pilgrim, takes one of the characters and tells his story, as a prequel. It retells the old story of the return of the prodigal, one man in need of FORGIVENESS. A mediaeval pilgrimage in North Wales has a variety of pilgrims, each carrying a burden the others know nothing about, and each meets with God and with His mercy and grace along the way.

This is a book for those who go on pilgrimage - and for those who pilgrim in their chairs! A beautiful book that had me gripped by the story; it made me long to go on pilgrimage again, to meet with God as I walk and to experience even more of His mercy and grace and forgiveness and healing.

(from my endorsement, published at the front of the book)

Signed copies can be ordered from Joy’s website here

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God's redemptive power. Her debut novel 'The Healing' was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. Joy has also self- published a short novella, 'The Beloved' as both a companion to 'The Healing', and as an easy to read standalone story, which is available to buy on Amazon Kindle. 'The Pilgrim', her second full length novel, will be published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

Find her via her website at www.joymargetts.com

On FB as Joy Margetts Author, on Instagram as @joymargetts, and on Twitter as @jamarge

The Pilgrim by Joy Margetts, Published by Instant Apostle (22 July 2022), ISBN 978191276615, RRP £9.99

The Healing, The Beloved and The Pilgrim are all available here: (paperback and Kindle editions)

Kindle edition:

The Beloved is Joy’s novella, and is only available as a download:

THE BELOVED: When love whispers, will the heart respond?
A young woman unsure of herself and not ready to open her heart. A young man sure of his feelings but clumsy in his approach. Both have a lot to learn about the true nature of love. This story takes them on a journey of discovery, which causes them both to come to a place of understanding, that will ultimately alter the direction of their lives. It isn’t only an understanding of human love that needs to touch their souls, but the realisation of the unconditional love that God offers them.
The Beloved is set in Medieval Wales, against the backdrop of Cistercian monastic life, and features some of the characters introduced in the novel, The Healing, by the same author.

Kindle edition:

GIVEAWAY!

Joy will send a signed copy to one lucky reader of my email. This goes out on the fourth Sunday evening of the month and all you need to do is fill in that annoying pop-up form on here. The email will slip into your inbox on Sunday evening with full details of how to enter the giveaway, along with some helpful ideas, inspirational thoughts and other hopefully interesting things for you. It’s never too long (who has time these days for lengthy things?!) and it now goes out to well over 1,000 people. Quite a wonderful community, many of whom belong to SPARKLE AND GREOW DEEPER, a Facebook page that I set up where we can encourage one another to go deeper with God.

But wait - there’s more! When you sign up , you’ll also receive the free download of my book, BECOMING YOUR BEST YOU, as well as another special offer.

SO why wait? Fill in the box now and get the email on Sunday evening! (July 24th)

And do read The Healing and The Beloved as well: both highly recommended!

*****

WAIT - JUST A FEW MORE DAYS IN JULY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SPECIAL OFFER FOR CHURCH LEADERS AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE BEREAVEAD.

SCENT OF WATER - words of comfort for those who grieve.

Endorsed by Debbie Thrower for the work and ministry of ANNA CHAPLAINCY and nominated for this year’s Christian Book Awards (Gift section), SCENT OF WATER is a gorgeous gift book to give to those who grieve and to help them through the first months of bereavement, to receive, to dip in and out of as you appreciate the words, the pictures, the reflections and the quotes. 

I’m giving a special offer just to churches, clergy, pastors and ministers, as many churches are finding it's a valuable and gentle gift to give to those who are grieving, to show love and care and support. A tangible expression of Christian love.

UNTIL THE END OF JULY, you can get a bundle of 5 copies on a ridiculously special offer to use in your work and ministry! Full details here DO pass this on to your church and its leaders - or why not purchase the bundle and give it to them to use! I know many would be very grateful!

Tony Horsfall says:

“What do you sav to someone who is recentlv

bereaved? It can be hard to know what to say

without sounding trite or patronising. Giving a small

gift can speak of your love and concern more

eloquently than words, and 'The Scent of Water'

By Penelope Swithinbank fits the bill exactly.

This is a beautifully produced and skillfully crafted

book providing words of comfort for those who are

grieving. It can be read as a daily devotional or a

dip-into resource for particular moments. The large

print text is rich and meaningful, the layout

engaging and the sections brief enough to help but

not overwhelm a grieving person.

The grief journey is a slow one, to be taken step by

step. 'Scent of Water' will provide much needed

companionship over the weeks and months of

bereavement. It is a gift worth giving.”

Looking forward to your company on Sunday evening!

The birthday that went wrong ....

An American birthday ...

turned out to be very different to what had been planned.

Instead of two weeks with my daughter and her family in northern Virginia, I've ended up at her beach house on the Outer Banks (OBX) in N. Carolina - because she tested Covid positive a few hours after we arrived! Much as I longed to stay and nurse her, she banished us as I need to stay fit and healthy (See below!) So here we are, having a mini vacation, enjoying sun, sea and sand. And honestly it is EXACTLY what we need: as you may have seen on social media, the previous three weeks were solid manual labour getting our new apartments ready for the summer season! It's taken EIGHT WHOLE MONTHS for the admin/paperwork to be done - and praise God for Christian, patient vendors. Over those months, we were frustrated, impatient, and, if I'm honest, I was often shouty at God for not answering my heated prayers to Get. The. Job. Done, Lord.

But God's timing is always better than ours; looking back now I can see that for several reasons it's a good thing we only took ownership when we did. (long story!) And our first Sunday there, we went to the little Methodist church where one of our vendors was preaching (they've only moved up the road!) It was Palm Sunday and the service blessed me and his message blessed me and the Lord ministered to me.

And the work was finished with less than an hour to spare before the first visitors arrived! It was exhausting but we did it. Then we dashed home to unpack, repack and head off to the USA via 24 hours over Easter with our UK families in Abingdon before Heathrow and the USA - on an exceedingly bumpy flight.

The next morning was my birthday - she tested positive and we jumped in her car and drove a further 5.5 hrs here.

​​​​​​​Yet again, I know the truth of Romans 8:28.

'He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.' (The Message)

I wish she didn't have Covid; I wish we could have two whole weeks together.

BUT GOD has worked the unwished-for into good; she is already getting better and we will have a week together from Monday; and my husband and I are enjoying some much-needed time R&R and date-time; and I will be rested and in far better shape to enjoy the grandsons than I might have been otherwise.

I'm learning to thank Him even when things turn out differently to what I had planned and hoped for.

Walking along the beach in my hiking boots and gear ...

.... to prepare for leading a Celtic pilgrimage in Cornwall from Lands End to The Lizard May 6-13. Please pray for our little group of pilgrims - for safety, kind weather, to meet with the Lord.

Just for readers in the USA, and just until the end of April:

 I have just EIGHT signed copies of Scent of Water and ONE of Walking Back to Happiness, in the USA.

 Order quickly here to make sure you get what you need.

 And remember to use the code to get free shipping.

CELEBRATING SUMMER

Some midsummer madness going on here …….

Summer is here -  some days! In my part of the UK we've had days of torrential downpours, days of heatwaves (over 83F in my garden last Wednesday!) and days of just grey cloud. But most days have been clear blue sunny warmth. I love it! And I love summer. You?

But I'm also so over this lockdown thing. No, I don't want to go back to how it was before;  I'm longing to move forward into the new normal. 

So I thought it was just the time to celebrate summer and the new normal with a little midsummer madness.  There are some things in this blogpost I'm sure you'll love.

      - a new box-set of books  (Surprise!)  The third and last set.

      - booking now open for a Celtic Pilgrimage, May 2021

      - a new SPICE course. 

       - an audio book recording

1     SUMMER SURPRISE BOX SET

The first box set at the beginning of lockdown (wow, that seems a long time ago!) had 4 books and we sold all 20 sets in just 10 days! Everyone was wanting to read during those long hours at home. Now we're all planning our holidays - YAY!  I’ve been asked by lots of people for another set, as they are excellent value. So -

For the third and final offer, I've put together a wonderful summer surprise box set ready for your summer holiday reading.

You get 3 different new books, several signed by the authors, but you won’t know which 3 until you open your parcel! The total retail value of your set is usually over £25,  but you pay only £16.50

BOOK 1:   EITHER "The Making of US" by Sheridan Voysey 

                  OR "Taking my God for a Walk" by Tony Collins 

BOOK 2:   "Walking Back to Happiness" by Penelope Swithinbank

BOOK 3:  1 FREE copy of one of the other books in the photo above

To order your set  - and there are only a limited number, so do this NOW!

CLICK HERE to go to the order page. You will enter your credit card info, your address info and then the box set will be winging its way to you! 

There are also just 8 sets of the Virtual Pilgrimage box set still available so if you're not able to go away right now, why not travel the paths of other pilgrims and read their stories? All from the comfort of your armchair.  

CLICK HERE to order either box set - SUMMER SURPRISE or VIRTUAL PILGRIMAGE

If you’ve already got a copy of one of them, why not give the new copy to someone for a birthday or Christmas gift? Or order a set to be delivered to a family member or friend with a birthday over the summer as a lovely surprise parcel. We can add a gift card if you email your message to penelope@ministriesbydesign.org when you order.

If you live outside the UK mainland, please note there is a surcharge for postage. 

2         CELTIC PILGRIMAGE

Are you feeling the need for time out?     

Needing to reset your soul? 

Thinking of 2021 for a real restorative time away? 



With restrictions being lifted, we can begin to plan for next year, God willing. 

the old Celtic coastal pathways in Cornwall

​​​​​​​BOOKING IS NOW OPEN for the Cornish Celtic Pilgrimage, walking from the furthest west of England to the furthest south - Lands End to the Lizard, along the coastal pathways often travelled by pilgrims and celts - and by the authorities trying to catch smugglers! 

​​​​​​​MAY 21-28, 2021 (Friday to Friday) 



PILGRIMAGE: the old/new way to wander, walk, think, pray - and reset your soul. To saunter along ancient paths. 

"Hiking - I don't like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains - not hike! Do you know the origin of that word 'saunter?' It's a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, "A la sainte terre,' 'To the Holy Land.' And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not 'hike' through them."
~ John Muir

If you would like the full details of this 8 day holiday, walking with just 12 women, talking, praying, having time to reflect and to be with God, email me here: penelope@ministriesbydesign.org

It will be a special week, with plenty of time for resetting your soul. The walk is only 45 miles (although there are a few steep ups and downs occasionally, as it's a coastal path) and there is a day off mid week to cross to St Michael's Mount with its pilgrim chapel.  It can be seen from the house where we will be staying.

St Michael’s Mount crowned with the pilgrim chapel. Visit on our midweek day off from walking!

This really is a vacation with a difference, as we walk, pilgrim, pray; and set aside time for the things of God. 

There are daily devotionals, based on Cornish Celtic saints and we visit ancient churches, old villages and walk along ancient pathways.

It can be hot and sunny or cold and blustery … no matter what time of year!  

May 2018 was (mostly!) sunny

The total is 12 women (including me) from any stage or walk of life, as long as you can walk 45 miles in a week! But you'll get info in advance on how to be as fit as possible in readiness.  So, with only 11 places bookable, email now for your full information and booking form.  penelope@ministriesbydesign.org   

Why not come with a friend?

Ancient Celtic cross tombstone in a Cornish churchyard

Sea views from the house where we will be staying

3.   THE SPICE COURSE : becoming your best you. 

helping you make a lasting transformation to live your life as God intended. 

I am so excited about this new course I am putting together ! Based on years of experience both in my own life and in helping those I mentor, it's a simple yet profound way to discover your best you, the YOU God made you to be. 

Many thanks to all those (97 ! THANK YOU! ) who filled in the survey for me about SPICE. 

I bit the bullet and complained to the host company who then allowed the option of paying a month's fee,  so that I could see more than the free 40 replies! And it was well worth it for all your comments and suggestions. 

Almost 70% would prefer a downloadable ebook/course with some online input.

85% would prefer 3 one hour (max) online sessions, over 3 weeks.

45% wanted most of the content to be input/speaking/teaching, with the rest spread evenly between reflections, readings, and online participation from attendees.

And then your lovely comments! People praying for me as I plan and write it; people wanting to sign up immediately; suggestions about formats; pleas for personal sessions with me to follow up. 

Having read the survey, prayed and thought carefully, and reflected, I feel the course will be a package  with options: 

• a downloadable ebook and access to a closed Facebook group

• 3 sessions (one a week) live on the closed Facebook group, but able to be accessed at any time after they're posted. 

• the option of 1, 3 or 6  (spread out over a few weeks or even months) one-to-one 45 minute sessions with me afterwards via FaceTime or Skype or Zoom. 

SPICE will be available in just a few weeks,  so that you can do it over the summer.

Details about how to sign up will be coming soon.

AND FINALLY - not just a paperback, not just on Kindle …..

AVAILABLE SOON AS AN AUDIO BOOK

Finally, some great news - 'Walking Back To Happiness' is being professionally recorded June 29 & 30 as an audio book and will soon be available for you to download and listen to. Please pray for me as I read it aloud over the 2 days and for the technology to work! 

If you skimmed through to the end, you missed

• the Summer Surprise Box Set  - click here to order it

• the Celtic Pilgrimage in Cornwall - email for full info

• info about SPICE. Full details coming soon!​​​​​​​

• ​​​​​​​the audio book of Walking Back to Happiness 

Enjoy your summer - may your days be filled with the surprising blessings God sends us. He's a God who loves you and delights in you and just enjoys being with you. I hope you enjoy being with him, too.  How do you best do that?  

Me? I'm off for a walk, of course!

- Penelope