Walk Start Point:- Former Clayton Methodist Church, North Road, Manchester M11 4LE
Distance: 3 miles approx.
Time: 90 mins approx
Terrain: The terrain is predominantly on paths and pavements may sometimes be slippy on gravel paths on inclines and declines. There are a number of steps to go up so good footwear and poles if needed.
Start outside the former Chapel. From the chapel gates go right to North Road. Cross over North Road and then turn left along North Road for a couple of hundred yards and then turn right into Folkestone Road.
Go forward to the end and go into the park. Go through the park gate and take the RIGHT hand fork towards the pylons.
At the pylons go left and follow the path (with open space on your right)
Continue along the path and go alongside the school (on left) and follow first blue marker 51 and go down into woods on the wide path. Upon coming to a clearing go forwards between the Pylons.
Continue following the direction of the cables following the grass path rather than the crushed stone one.
At the end of the grass path stop.
REFLECTION POINT 1
Take a look around what do you notice?
- Think about what you have just walked between.
- Think about the power that is being carried right above your head
- Think about what that power enables to happen
- Think about all the things that require electricity.
- Do you think we take this power for granted?
- Think of a time when you have had a power cut
- Think about how limited you are made to be but also how resourceful you are.
- Think about what you feel like when the power comes back on
- The Holy Spirit is the one who gives us energy and power to live.
- Are you aware of the Holy Spirit in your life?
- Perhaps you might like to spend a moment in quiet and give thanks for the power and resources needed to live fully in the everyday.
JOURNEY ON
Continue onwards going to the Right following the grass path and go between the pylons.
After going through the pylons follow the chalk path into woods.
Continue down the crushed stone path (THIS MAY BE SLIPPY)
Part way down you will come to a path crossroads go right continue downwards
Continue to Follow the path down and the River will be on the left.
Continue to follow River on left and pond on right.
At the bridge Go left onto the bridge. Stop!
REFLECTION POINT 2
- Take a look around, what do you notice?
- As you stand on the bridge look back at the way you came.
- Close your eyes for a moment, notice what you hear?
- Look at the river beneath you and the pond to the left
- Notice the contrast between the river and the pond.
- What is different about them?
- Think about your life and which of these represents your life.
- Are you continually on the move like the river or are you more still like the pond.
- Think about where you seem happiest, perhaps you move between the two at various times.
- Think about what water gives you.
- Perhaps you might like to be thankful for the things in your life that bring you refreshment.
JOURNEY ONWARDS
Continue on the bridge then go right and follow the path with the river on the right.
At next bridge cross over and go left following path with river on the left
After about 50 yds on the right there are some steps.
Stay at the bottom for a moment and look up at them.
As you go up the steps take notice of what you see and notice your breathing.
REFLECTION 3 Top of steps
- What did you notice as you walked up the steps?
- Sometimes in life we have challenges along life’s journey.
- How did it feel coming up the steps having someone to walk with us alongside? (If you are doing this on your own, would it have felt different having someone alongside?)
- Think about who or what those things are that help you climb the steps in your life.
- How easy or difficult did you find it getting to the top?
- What did you feel like when you got here to the top?
- Did you feel like you needed to rest or would you feel like you can carry on?
- Think about those places where you find rest.
- Perhaps you might like to be thankful for challenges but also for those places where you find rest.
JOURNEY ON
Continue onwards and follow the path between the pylon cables and go past the play equipment on left
Continue to follow path to the right until coming to Bristowe street then go right onto Folkestone Road East and then go Left on Folkestone Road and then Left into North Road back to the old Clayton Methodist Church site.