Cycling to Pleshey
For me, the journey to a quiet day or a retreat is an important part of the experience and can be the time when I hear God the clearest. This is true whether I drive or use trains but particularly when, at least part of the journey, involves me cycling.
There is something about the rhythm of the cycling and the being out in creation that allows my mind and my heart to open up. Sometimes it is my mind rehearsing conversation, sermons, or other ideas. Sometimes I lift my eyes and open my ears, become conscious of my body moving and find myself more fully aware of the presence of God all around.
I am a frequent visitor to the diocesan Retreat House at Pleshey and my journey normally involves train and bike. I catch the train from where I live just outside Colchester to Chelmsford and then cycle the 7½ mile to the retreat house.
The route I take is along Duke Street and Rainsford Road/ Roxwell Road and then right onto Chignal Road. After a about a mile, I take the left-hand turn onto what is still the Chignal Road. I continue on this road to just past the Pig and Whistle Pub/Restaurant where I turn right up Breeds Road. Again, it is about a mile until after a distinct right-hand bend, I turn left onto Humphrey’s Farm Lane. At the end of this road, it is a left-hand turn onto Mashbury Road.
After just over a mile there are some large modern barns on the right with a public footpath sign pointing to a concrete farm track. I take this track which goes downhill and back up again. At the top of the hill the footpath goes through a hedge in the corner of a small field and crosses diagonally towards the castle mound. Then it is a turn left onto the track and left again on the road. The retreat house is almost immediately on your left. I park my bike in the cloister.
There are a couple of places where it is necessary to dismount. Firstly, is crossing the A1016 in the city and the second is the farm track from the Mashbury Road across to Pleshey, especially where it crosses the small field at the top of the hill.
Pauline Hart
Day Chaplain at the Retreat House
