On Saturday, 12th June 2010, we joined eight other Christians for a prayer walk at Spurn Point.   The day was fine although at the beginning of the afternoon a large and heavy black cloud threatened to reverse our fortunes!

For a variety of reasons but mainly because of pressures of time and other engagements in the morning we were unable to join the party at the beginning of the walk from Kilnsea.   Instead we drove down the peninsula and joined them at the car park.   They were already there, enjoying a break and a drink, when we arrived.   We set off towards the point pausing at the lifeboat station for our first prayer and reading.   We prayed for all those who worked to save the lives of others, sometimes in difficult and dangerous situations.

From there we proceeded up over the dunes to the old wartime bunkers where we pause for more prayer recognising how nature in her own time reclaims territory previously occupied by man.   The continuation of the divine creative process was everywhere to be seen.

Then we moved onwards to a high point where we had views over the sea and beach.   A hawk flew into the wind soaring with  its straight tale and wide pinions.   We later confirmed our identification of it as a marsh harrier.

Another stopping place was in a quiet glade amongst the shrubs and undergrowth.   For a few moments we enjoyed the complete silence which only allowed gentle bird song, the soothing movement of the sea on the beach and the calm sound of the breeze in the branches.   Somehow the divine presence seemed very obvious at this moment confirming the mystical experience of inner silence experienced by contemplatives.

As we moved northwards up the sea side beach we spotted a seal in the water and were able to enjoy its inquisitive looking from side to side as if to determine what these invaders of its territory were up to.   By the lighthouse we paused for further prayer.   Before we came together, however, we were much taken by moth caterpillars which invade the point at this time each year, infesting the buck thorn and other plants and some of which were sunning themselves on the lighthouse walls.   These caterpillars can be dangerous to humans causing rashes, allergies and breathing problems.   They are best completely avoided!

Next we found a quiet and relatively sheltered spot on the river side for a break and food, recalling how, after his resurrection the Lord shared bread and fish with His disciples on the shores of Lake Galilee.   Unfortunately as we ate and later prayed the tide was coming in.   By the time we finished we found we were cut off by the waters.   Undaunted we scrambled on to the sea wall, helping each other according to our relative mobility or otherwise.   A walk along the wall soon brought us back to the car park.   By this time we were well into the evening but the sun still had plenty of heat in it.

As we drove back up the road to Kilnsea we spotted a fox crossing the road.   It paused briefly to look at the car displaying the bird it was holding in its jaws - we were not able to identify what kind of a bird it was.   Then the animal slipped away into the bushes and we could see it no more.

Back to Kilnsea then where we used the toilets in the Crown and Anchor hostelry before having a welcome cold drink sitting outside, watching the activity  in the estuary.   Finally we arrived home at about eight o'clock tired but exhilarated by a time with fellow Christians, friends old and new, and with God.   We felt He had rewarded us with some wonderful sightings of wildlife and a real sense of His presence in creation.

Gaudete Deum, apud omnibus creatoribus!