Pilgrimages begin with a journey. In fact, the journey is very much part of a pilgrimage. It allows the pilgrims to start the process of getting away together and of course the journey to a special place is always alive with anticipation. Last Saturday a minibus left St Mark’s with some very excited pilgrims and I set off in my car with P for company.
P and I only got as far as the first big roundabout out of town when a bus decided to ignore the lane markings and take me with him back to Portobello. And to make matters worse, to drive off with nary a backward glance. A few scrapes and scratches and thankfully no damage done to my passenger and off we set again.
Miraculously we all met up again in Oban at the ferry terminal in time for our ferry to Craignure on Mull. The sun shone hard and the sail was spectacular for those who haven’t been before. That’s the thing about going back to a familiar place with people who’ve never been before – you get to re-live it again through their eyes.
A warm welcome at Bishop’s House and after a quick scamper round the house we took a wander up to the Abbey. Compline in the chapel rounded off a tiring day and after a few glasses of wine from a well-stocked bar we all went to bed.

Sunday
The day started with a Eucharist in the beautiful chapel at Bishop’s House. I love this chapel and the altar frontal tells a story of Iona (and inspired a fabulous frontal at St Columba’s Bathgate after our last visit).

Some of us went up to the Abbey for their communion service and enjoyed some memorable music. After lunch a group of us walked over to the Machair while others started their exploration of the island. We had a short talk on Celtic art and the colouring in began, as well as some masterpieces in encaustic art. Evensong in the chapel was peaceful and contemplative. In the evening I did 5 French manicures for some of my little flock. Someone said it looked like another kind of Maundy Thursday and footwashing.
Monday
Lots of visitors from Toronto at the Eucharist this morning. That’s one of the lovely things about Bishop’s House – you are always blessed by visitors from all over the world at each service. In the morning we had a session on Celtic Spirituality and some good discussions ensued.
Another glorious day and an afternoon visit to Staffa and Fingal’s Cave. I’ve been a few times and it is always an amazing sight but this time it was as flat as a millpond and on the way we saw seals and basking sharks as well as all sorts of sea birds.

The climb up to the top was worth it (after a snifter from I’s hipflask to calm my asthma!) and I finally got to see the puffins. I couldn’t believe how close they came to us. We were told that humans are friends to them because they have learned that we keep the seagulls at bay.

The evening was spent sharing after-sun and a little discussion from the The Book of Questions – most revealing.
Tuesday
No eucharist in the morning so some joined me for Morning Prayer. Always lovely to share saying the Office. Everyone went on the Abbey Pilgrimages and I had the house to myself for a few hours. Full house for evening eucharist again and in the evening we all sat and shared stories. This week we have a rota for readings, prayers, leading Compline and altar serving. It means that people who don’t usually do these things can try them out in a smaller environment. The readings at the Eucharist have been from Tobit this week and we almost feel like ending them with ‘tune in tomorrow for our next exciting instalment’. I get the feeling that a few purchases of bibles with the Apocrypha will be happening on our return. Another thing which has struck me this week is seeing another side to my little flock. This was especially true of L who has been able to be herself this week and not a ‘mum’. It has seemed strange giving her the Body of Christ in two hands when normally one is holding a small child and another is wriggling at her feet. She has been so serene. Fell asleep to the sound of waves lapping on the beach.
Wednesday
Cooler today and windy but dry until evening. Our session this morning was on Celtic Prayer and I sense some masterpieces waiting to be born. In the afternoon some of us walked to the north end and paddling was the order of the day. The shops took some visiting too. The group has now really started to gel and there is much hilarity at meal times and in the evenings. Then there was the incident of the bread and the seagulls but the less said about that, the better. (You really had to be there, but believe me when I say it ran and ran!)
Thursday
Another sunny day and by this point most people have trotted round the island a few times. The fitter ones have made it to St Columba’s Bay and the Marble Quarry, and most of the others have found Port Ban (my favourite beach) and the Machair. One of our oldest members even made it to St C’s bay which has to be a miracle. This morning we had a talk on Celtic Saints and all chose religious names. Some friends bought me a beautiful Celtic stole made from Harris tweed which will always be treasured. In the afternoon all went on the tour of the Abbey while I stayed behind to write my sermon for Sunday. In the evening we played silly games. Bats and corncrakes abound.
Friday
This morning we had a review of the week and people brought their treasured objects to share. We shared our Celtic prayers and they were fab. (The book will be available soon!)

Last chance to shop and visit places yet unseen and in the afternoon we had a healing service in St Oran’s chapel. The acoustics were amazing and the sound of Bless the Lord my Soul will stay with me for a long time. On the walk back we even managed to see a corncrake up close which is rare indeed.
In the evening we had our concert party and most folk did a wee ‘turn’. I got a lovely pressie too which was unexpected and a delight. And a poem was composed which may make it to the blog at a later date. We even booked up for May 2011. First come, first served folks…
Saturday – the journey home
Saying farewell to Iona is always hard. We met some lovely people, we got to know one another better and we all had a good rest. (Well, I know I’ll sleep well when I get home!)

P and I couldn’t get the same ferry home as the rest so we killed time in Tobermory and nearly got an eagle through the windscreen. The bus wasn’t there to meet the rest at Oban so we were all late home and exhausted. But what memories and I know that some will be first in with applications for our next visit.