Walk Start Point:- Edge Lane and Clayton Methodist Church, Edge Lane/Merton Drive M43 6BH
Distance: 3 miles approx.
Time: 90 mins approx
Terrain: The terrain is easy but sensible footwear for walking along the towpath and over grass and footpaths is recommended.
Be aware of tree roots and narrowboat mooring ties at points.
Exit the church via the carpark onto Edge Lane. Turn left along edge Lane.
After the traffic lights crossing over the bridge turn left and get on to the Canal towpath turning right. The canal should be on your left hand side.
Walk along the canal with a large fence and tall trees on your right.
When you come to a metal bridge this is the first reflection point.
Reflection Point 1.
Go up onto the bridge and just spend a few moments looking around (be aware of other people who are wanting to cross)
Come down from the bridge the same side that you went up.
- As you stood on the bridge what did you notice?
- Were you aware of your higher position?
- Were you able to see more from the bridge rather than your viewpoint now?
- How did being on the bridge give you a different perspective?
- Sometimes in life we need to see from a different perspective, how good we are at being able to step away from a situation and look at it from a different angle.
- When was the last time you were able to see something from a different perspective?
- Think about how this came about and if there was someone who helped you see it differently.
- Sometimes moving to a different view point helps us to get a better understanding of something which may make things clearer.
- Think again about standing on the bridge and getting a better view and oversight of what is around. Perhaps you might be thankful for those who help us see things differently.
JOURNEY ONWARDS
Continue along the canal (on your left)
Pass another bridge on your left that leads to playing fields, continue along past a school (on your right) and go up under the bridge and continue along the path by the lock.
Continue along the canal past a little boathouse (on the left) and at the next lock take the cobbled path upto the right and cross over the canal via the stone bridge.
Once over the bridge turn right with the canal on your right and head forwards into the Marina.
Reflection Point 2
At the Marina find a safe suitable place to stop.
- Take a look around, what do you notice?
- Take a look at all the different narrow boats and how unique each one is.
- Each one is different and has different markings and numbers on them.
- Each one is unique to the people who own them. Some may have various paintings on them painted by hand which again is unique to that boat and owner.
- For a moment take a look at the palm of your hand and look at the uniqueness of the lines and finger prints of your hand.
- Think about how you are unique and that there isn’t a single person on the planet exactly the same as you.
- Thinking about the boats again, think about each boat and how they may look similar but they will be different and created by a master boat builder, internal designer and artist.
- As you have been created and stand in this space of creation how does this make you feel?
- Perhaps you might like to be thankful for who you are and who you were created to be.
JOURNEY ONWARDS
Continue along the same path with the Marina on your right and follow it all the way around. BE CAREFUL of ropes tying the boats at various points.
Rejoin the canal around to the left BE AWARE of nesting geese(dependant upon time of year)
Continue alongside the building on your left and then go up the steps onto the bridge going right crossing over the canal.
Turn right down to the canal and go right under the bridge following the canal (on your left)
Before reaching the next bridge (18) there is a passageway on your right. Follow this path down past the scout space (on right) and come out to a cobbled street into Fairfield Moravian Settlement. Continue down the street and take in the surroundings as you do so.
Take your first left into Sister’s Street down to the bottom where you will find the college.
Reflection Point 3 Fairfield Moravian Settlement College
Take a look around, what do you notice?
- What did it feel like as you walked down the cobbled street?
- This is a place of learning, living and spirituality think about where are the places you learn, live and are spiritually aware?
- This is a community that has faith at its essence and core, where are the places you go that enable you to be part of a community?
- Did you notice anything in the windows of the college building of what is happening here, this place is a place of flourishing. Where are the places you flourish?
- Is there anything about this place that causes you to see things differently?
- Think about what you feel and sense about this place.
- The Moravians played a significant part in the life of John Wesley (founder of The Methodist Church) he saw something of God in them which impacted his life greatly. Who are the people who have played a significant part in your life?
- Perhaps you might like to be thankful for those people.
Journey Onwards
Go back along Sister’s street and turn left continuing along the cobbled street into Fairfield Square.
At the bottom of Fairfield Square take the small ginnel through to Fairfield Road and cross over and go right into Latrobe Street passing the School on your left. Upon coming to the Canal turn left along the canal (on your right).
Continue until you come to a bridge on your right. Cross over the bridge and go into the playing fields with the football pitch on your right, keep the trees on your left and follow them around.
Reflection Point 4 Field
Take a look around, what do you notice?
- Think about all the different activities that go on here both organised and organic.
- This place is an open space, a space for all to use to enable life to be lived in all kinds of ways.
- Think about the activities you do to keep you mobile and active.
- Think about why you do these things.
- Think about those who do these activities with you or who do something similar.
- Think about what being active brings to your life.
- Who are those you can ask to join in an activity with you?
- Are there groups you can join that will help you to remain active?
- Which groups are you part of that are life giving?
- What is it about those groups that encourage you to keep going back to them?
- Where are your places of flourishing?
- What do you value most about those pleaces /spaces?
- Perhaps you might be thankful for those places, spaces or people who help you flourish.
Journey Onwards.
Continue along the field (with the trees, buildings and canal to the left)
Go through a small gap with a bike gateway and you will see the metal bridge over the canal that you stood on earlier.
Go over the bridge crossing the canal and go along the canal with it on your right and the large fence and tall trees on your left.
When you come to the lock go left by the old brick building and back onto Edge Lane turning right over the bridge with the traffic lights and continue back until you come back to Edge Lane and Clayton Methodist Church.
PRAYER: Lord God we thank you for this world and our part within it. We thank you for enabling us to notice you in the ordinary, as well as the wonder of Creation, and within each other as we have journeyed together. Amen!