Author Archives: pilgrimaus

A great day’s rowing in a stiff breeze blowing down the Sale Canal and la Trobe River. 20 rowers in four skiffs had a an easy row 16 km of protected waters with a following wind and favourable current. Pelicans, a falcon and a sea eagle accompanied us for part of the journey. We areContinue reading “Steamers Run Day 1”

In the 19th century transport through the Gippsland Lakes was by steamships plying the waterways from the railhead at Sale which connected through to Melbourne. On February 26th 2020 this old tradition is being honoured through a rowing ‘raid’ by four St Ayles Skiffs. The boats will row 70 km over three days from theContinue reading “The Steamer’s Run Raid”

The book of Jonah tells us that “Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, … an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across.” When I read this I wondered how long it would take to walk across Melbourne. Would three days be enough? Having been a pilgrimage walker in various places in the ancientContinue reading “The Jonah Walk”

Early one morning in December, several years ago, I was lying sleepless in bed at 3am, grappling with issues in life and ministry. Around 3.30am as I struggled to pray, it was as if a divine voice broke through the gloomy fog of my mood and commanded, “Get off your backside and do something!” SoContinue reading “Pilgrim Staff”

A training walk today – just a few kilometres A round the Bay to prepare for a longer walk on Friday. I started down through the Forest of the coastal reserve. On reaching the foot of the hill I turn northeast along the beach. The beach at Waratah Bay curves around past the settlements ofContinue reading “Waratah Bay pilgrim walk”

Jim Barr is a Pilgrim steeped in the Celtic tradition of peregrinatio, that wandering on land and sea that characterised the Celtic monks of the 6th-8th centuries. Of Scots extraction (generations ago) he is an Australian who seeks a spiritual engagement with the mystery of this continent and its ancient civilisations through a respectful journeyingContinue reading “The Pilgrims”