Following the Path

On the Bank Holiday weekend just gone, 4 out of 5 of us, plus our dog, went out to the Yorkshire Dales to climb two of the "Three Peaks" - in advance of our boys aiming to complete the Three Peaks challenge (all three in one hike/ one day) at the end of June with their school.

It was especially pertinent as we had just celebrated the festival of Shavuot - the annual celebration of the moment in our Jewish history when Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Torah - our holy book and laws. I always feel a spiritual uplift on days out like this, and I knew this day would be no different, as we set off at 10.30am for the 27km circular route taking in the ascent of Whernside and Ingleborough.

It was an epic day - beautiful views, challenging moments that we overcame, camaraderie all along the way, a huge sense of achievement, and extreme tiredness towards the end.

It was about 4.30pm as we descended the second peak, on the home stretch along a quieter path that would lead us back to the car. We were all running out of steam, including the dog, and I did wonder how I was going to fare with my legs wobbling and a steep descent in front of me. As I was pondering these thoughts, trying to stay focussed on the next step in front of me, we heard a shout from our left - "We're lost!"

Two words, that sprung us into action.

Two men appeared, ascending towards us, alongside the dry stone wall that is so emblematic of this gorgeous part of the world. They explained they had started off at the other peak - Pen-Y-Ghent and tried to cut out Whernside to climb Ingleborough, but got lost, started following a group who then disappeared, and had been walking around ever since, not sure where they were.

We got the map out, explained where we were (well, when I say 'we' I of course mean my husband and sons as those of you who know me know I struggle to follow satnav without getting lost), and soon realised that the best course of action was for them to follow us back to Ribblehead where our car was, and where there was a train station, or a lift for one of them in our car, to get them back to where their car and rest of their group was, in Horton down the road.

As my family continued at a pace, and I slowed down (as usual), I asked them what they did, where they'd travelled from today; the usual chit chat to distract from the seizing up of muscles after 6 hours of hiking... It turns out they were friends, both anaesthetists in Manchester, over for the day with their wives, who they'd left at a cafe in Horton, probably worried out of their minds as their phones had died and they'd started walking at 7am. Ouch.

"So what do you do?" my new friend innocently asked me.

I never know how to answer that question. But at least now, it's a bit easier as I have a title to my venture -

"Actually, I'm a student rabbi" I replied, hesitantly, not knowing if this was going to be the moment the awkward silence kicked in until we got back to the road...

Thus started the most amazing conversation between two spirited souls for it turned out that Rajesh was a deeply spiritual, practicing Hindu, who taught meditation in his spare time, and was so full of ancient wisdom and insights and so willing and able to share them. We had the most wonderful conversation, identifying where our religious teachings overlapped, how we understood life, souls, death and everything in between.

All too quickly, we had reached the bottom - in one piece! - and our time together was nearing its conclusion.

I remarked how wonderful it was that our paths had (literally!) crossed at that same time near the top of Ingleborough and what could have been a disastrous day for them - had we not been at that same spot at the same time, had they not asked for help from us, not only could they still be lost in the Dales, but we wouldn't have had this remarkable conversation together.

Then we looked at each other and exchanged a knowing glance - the day had turned out exactly as it was meant to - as always. Our task is to just keep putting one foot in front of the other, and external forces take care of the rest.

Beginning the ascent up to Ingleborough

me and my new friend Rajesh at the end of the walk