Preachermans Pilgrims:Homecoming and 1000th Post

[Preacherman]

Well my faithful pilgrims, whether you have been with us the whole way or just dropped in occasionally, your companionship has been equally valued. What a trip this has been, but it is at an end, and how appropriate that it coincides with my 1000th post. How about that!!!!! We have a brief stop for just 1 hour in Luxembourg. I slightly detour through Southern Belgium searching for the grave of the brother of a favourite author of mine, who was killed in WW 1, but with no success. Then home. I have prepared a small gift for you all in the form of words at the end which I hope you like. Thank you for your companionship throughout the trip, and God bless you all.

This is a memorial garden in Luxembourg next to a monument which has been recently re-built after WW2.


I wanted you to read the inscription on the monument. "....whose only weapon was it's bravery". We can all have that weapon if we dig deep for it.


Searching (in vain) for the grave of Edwin Timms, brother of my favourite author Flora Thompson (Lark Rise to Candleford), I came upon this small graveyard of about 200 souls of the East Lancs Regiment. Reading the entries in the book of remembrance one child wrote "I never knew you great grandad, but I know you were a brave man". Then, as now, I wept.


I arrived home safely, unpacked the bike and put her away, had a bath, and was greeted by this sunset from my lounge window, as if God was saying "Welcome home".


This is my gift to all my DPS freinds to commemorate our trip together and my 1000th post.

THE JOURNEY

Devout at heart we all began, alchemists aspiring.
But gold can only come from gold, and crystal glass from firing.
And pies do not live in the sky, and gardens rarely rosy,
And sailing is not always plain, and life not always cosy.

But pilgrims with a common cause, or brothers stood united,
Or sisters marching hand in hand, or children, raw, excited,
Can move that mountain, bridge that gap; spread that love at home.
And common in the quests of life, in one day build that Rome.

Great bards, saints, poets we may not be, hearts on our sleeves not wearing,
And inhibitions may prevent us from our burdens sharing.
But travelling from place to place, in fellowship unblighted,
With morales boosted, fears forbad and faith in self ignited,
There are no heights we cannot reach, no bridge we cannot mend,
Provided we can run that race, until the very end.

PRB November 2009

[Chewys Dad]

Thank You Paul for the wonderful words and the wonderful photos, I've enjoyed only a part of your journey, but I plan on going back and seeing the parts I missed soon. By the way, congratulations on your 1000th Post.
Thanks for sharing these
Michael

[audrey-g]

what a great way to end your journey and submit the 1000th. i have only seen part of your journey but i believe it was wonderful, full of great scenes to remember. i look forward to accompany you on another bike adventure

[audrey-g]

.........and a truly touching poem. if we keep on hand in hand, as one big, happy family, we can make the world a better place!

[ukglyn]

Great shots to end the trip Paul, I love the words inscribed on the monument, very touching, as is the lads from the east lancs regiment graveyard, very brave young souls lost, such a sad waste.
Congratulations on you 1000th post also mate, looking forward to seeing the next few thousand to.
Glyn

[moby]

Nice everything is O.K. and you are home.
Great for 1000 post. And I wish to you more than 1000, 10000 ...

[shmelly]

Throughly enjoyed the trip, fantastic photos, congrats of your 1000th post.

[SoxAddict]

Hi Paul! Congratulations on your 1000th post firstly! And very fitting that you should celebrate it on such a lovely trip. Luxembourg too is another place I've never visited, so I'm enjoying my trip through it today. The memorial garden is very lovely, as is the architecture aroundabout the area. Shame we couldn't find the grave you were hoping to see, but it was nice to see the cemetary so well-kept for those that rest there, and the grass was so green. Poignant words to read also, not only on the monuments, but from yourself!

Enjoy your sunset & your rest back home, and we'll all meet for coffee tomorrow in honour of our trip! Thanks for taking us all on such a great holiday! I just hope my snoring didn't annoy everyone too much :-)

[bascott]

Once again, thank you so much for taking us on this trip! Your last set of pictures are a beautiful finish and you words a fiting tribute to our journey

God Bless you

Oh, and congratulations on 1000!!!

[Tenzin'sMom]

Paul, a lovely finish to an inspiring journey, both with your photos and your words. Thanks so much for sharing all of these, and for reminding us of what is really important in this life: courage, love, persistence, and good light for photographs!