Walk in Rothiemurchus - 3

Help! Which way do I go?



One more step along the world I go, 
one more step along the world I go;
from the old things to the new 
keep me travelling along with you:
Refrain:
And it's from the old I travel to the new; 
keep me travelling along with you.

Round the corner of the world I turn, 
more and more about the world I learn;
all the new things that I see 
you'll be looking at along with me: Refrain

As I travel through the bad and good, 
keep me traveling the way I should;
where I see no way to go 
you'll be telling me the way, I know: Refrain

Give me courage when the world is rough, 
keep me loving though the world is tough;
leap and sing in all I do, 
keep me travelling along with you: Refrain

You are older than the world can be, 
you are younger than the life in me;
ever old and ever new, 
keep me traveling along with you: Refrain

Walk in Rothiemurchus - 2

Here we se the mountain track that runs due south from Coylumbridge to Achnagoichan.



I will leave you to decide whether I actually sang during my walk along the mountain tracks - I did have a daysac on my back!

Walk in Rothiemurchus - 1

Nothing odd about a walk in the countryside you may think, but as I broke my leg on 28 June it was marvellous being able to go for a reasonable length walk once more!



"Rothiemurchus, gateway to the Cairngorms, has become a name which is etched deep in the consciousness of Scotland and which holds an exceptional place in the natural history of the nation.” (Magnus Magnusson KBE)

For centuries nature and people have lived in harmony in Rothiemurchus. At its heart lies one of the largest areas of natural forest in Britain with an extraordinary variety of wildlife that depends on it for survival. We can enjoy this unique environment today, because of the dedication and love of eighteen generations of Grants of Rothiemurchus and the other caring families whose livelihood it has provided for over four hundred and fifty years.

By enjoying Rothiemurchus you can help: profits from activities, car parking, shops and other commercial activities are ploughed back into the care of this family owned estate to enable sustainable stewardship of the forest and for wildlife to thrive.

31st Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today we hear Jesus tell us which is the greatest commandment.



King of glory, King of peace,
I will love thee;
and that love may never cease,
I will move thee.
Thou hast granted my request,
thou hast heard me;
thou didst note my working breast,
thou hast spared me.

Wherefore with my utmost art
I will sing thee,
and the cream of all my heart
I will bring thee.
Though my sins against me cried,
thou didst clear me;
and alone, when they replied,
thou didst hear me.

Seven whole days, not one in seven,
I will praise thee;
in my heart, though not in heaven,
I can raise thee.
Small it is, in this poor sort
to enroll thee:
e'en eternity's too short
to extol thee.



Happy Sunday!

Loch Ness - 4

Here we see Loch Ness Lodge.



In 1933, construction began on the A82 – the road that runs along the north shore of the Loch. The work involved considerable drilling and blasting and it is believed that the disruption forced the monster from the depths and into the open. Around this time, there were numerous independent sightings and, in 1934, London surgeon R. K. Wilson managed to take a photograph that appeared to show a slender head and neck rising above the surface of the water. Nessie hit the headlines and has remained the topic of fierce debate ever since.

In the 1960s, the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau conducted a ten-year observational survey – recording an average of 20 sightings per year. And, by the end of the decade, mini-submarines were being used for the first time to explore the depths of the Loch using sophisticated sonar equipment. New public interest was generated in the mid 1970s when underwater photographs of what appeared to be a ‘flipper’ were made public.
To this day, there is no conclusive proof to suggest that the monster is a reality. However, many respectable and responsible observers have been utterly convinced they have seen a huge creature in the water.

All Souls' Day

Here we see a procession to the cemetery on All Souls' Day.



Let saints on earth in concert sing
With those whose work is done;
For all the servants of our King
In Heav’n and earth are one.

One family, we dwell in Him,
One Church, above, beneath;
Though now divided by the stream,
The narrow stream of death.

One army of the living God,
To His command we bow;
Part of the host have crossed the flood,
And part are crossing now.

E’en now to their eternal home
There pass some spirits blest;
While others to the margin come,
Waiting their call to rest.

Jesu, be Thou our constant Guide;
Then, when the word is given,
Bid Jordan’s narrow stream divide,
And bring us safe to Heav’n.

All Saints' Day

Here we see the Papal Altar in St Peter's Basilica in Rome adorned with the relics of many saints on this glorious feast day.



For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!



Happy Feast!