Plymouth is a remarkable City. I think “resilient” is the word that springs to mind. As we were preparing to set off West we met with Chris Clewer from Churches Together in Plymouth ctip.org.uk – a fascinating meeting and I think I learned more about Plymouth over 2 cups of coffee than in all my time in RN ships based here! Plymouth is of course the port from which the Pilgrims set sail in the Mayflower in 1620 to cross the Atlantic to found the New Jerusalem. For Latin scholars the Plymouth City motto is “Turris fortissimo est nomen Jehova” – The name of Jehova is the strongest tower (Proverbs 18 verse 10).
Saying farewell to Plymouth we set on West to Cornwall and a couple of days in Fowey where we visited lots of lots of churches in absolutely beautiful settings. On our way we chatted to people and prayed with them, finding that our Island Pilgrimage polo shirts are a great way to open a conversation.
On West and in Falmouth we were delighted to come across “Guiding Star of Revelation”. She is one of the yachts operated by The Morning Star Trust for Youth Work at Sea. We have partnered with them and it you would like to know more about their life changing work please have a look at their website www.mst.org.uk . You can make donations towards their work and bursary scheme via our JustGiving page here https://www.justgiving.com/page/islandpilgrimage?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=015
Sailing early from the Helford River – having failed to find La Mouette in Frenchman’s Creek – we were rewarded with a glorious sunrise and quick passage on the tide around The Lizard and across Mounts Bay to Penzance.
In Penzance we tucked Sea Fever into the “wet dock”, so named as the boats can stay afloat when the tide goes out, and enjoyed exploring. By remarkable coincidence (God-incidence?) the new Bishop of Truro was walking to Marazion on part of the “Cornish Celtic Pilgrimage Way” and we were delighted to meet with him at the end of his pilgrimage walk. A delightful man of God – we pray for his ministry across Cornwall.
Our final day in Penzance was Pentecost Sunday and we joined in with the morning service at Discovery Church. So exciting to worship with this lively church in a service packed with people of all ages and backgrounds. Great things going on there.
Before leaving Penzance to head on West we bade farewell to Jay and Victoria as they headed back Havant and welcomed Roger and Tom for the next stage of our pilgrimage adventures.
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