NiCK'S SANCTUARY

"It's a dangerous business, going out of your door. You step out into the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you may be swept off to." - Bilbo Baggins, from The Lord of the Rings


Well this is going to be my last official post for a while; I'm off to the Lake District this evening to go on a walking holiday with some friends. It will be good to get away from the hustle and bustle. I intend to take my Bible and notes away with me, maybe I'll get some inspiration out there in the wilderness.

Maybe I should be mindful of Psalm 121 out there:

I lift up my eyes to the hills—

where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you—

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

I've been playing Indiana Jones on my XBOX, so I'm liable to cause myself an injury by jumping off large rocks while indulging my imagination! Maybe I should leave the bull whip and hat at home this time!

We leave the Shire at 6:45 but we won't do any walking tonight obviously... it'll take several hours to drive up there. Make sure you look after yourselves in my absence. Hopefully I'll have some pictures upon my return, but unfortunately I'll have to use my monile... otherwise they will have to be scanned, as my mother is also away... and has the digital camera.

I'm going to miss CSI Miami and the Battle for Britain's Soul on Tuesday... but I should be back in time for Lost... I will have to keep my eyes propped open with matchsticks by that time though... I will be shattered.

I'm also probably going to miss the Stratford Mop (yes, they have one too), as that opens on Tuesday and finishes on Wednesday. I've borrowed some of Tolien's poetry about walking and ordered it to suit the journey I am taking... and yes there will DEFINITELY be a "lighted inn" involved.

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

Roads go ever ever on,

Over rock and under tree,

By caves where never sun has shone,

By streams that never find the sea;

Over snow by winter sown,

And through the merry flowers of June,

Over grass and over stone,

And under mountains of the moon.

Roads go ever ever on

Under cloud and under star,

Yet feet that wandering have gone

Turn at last to home afar.

Eyes that fire and sword have seen

And horror in the halls of stone

Look at last on meadows green

And trees and hills they long have known.

The Road goes ever on and on

Out from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

Let others follow it who can!

Let them a journey new begin,

But I at last with weary feet

Will turn towards the lighted inn,

My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

May God bless you and keep you all in my absence.

Regards

Nick