One of the good parts of being in a new place is being given the gift of space. Fortunately, for me the Church of England and the Church in Wales allow a gap between incumbencies. At the moment, I have a freedom to explore. Holyhead and Holy Island are places of great beauty. Nature often ravishes us with its beauty, and we are all too often blind to its advances. Thus, when we have the time to see, it is a gateway into a whole new world.

Bartley Green in Birmingham was also a place of beauty. There were walks by the reservoir (“the rezza”), through blue bell woods and the country park that could take the breath away. On the annual Rogationtide walk, I was reminded in certain places of the history that had taken place there, involving the English Civil War and the Restoration. Bartley’s beauty was enhanced by its people. People do something to a place. When a place is incarnated (to use a theological expression) something changes. Bartley is on the edge and people on the edge are usually those who have experienced life and not been defined by their circumstances.

Ynys Cybi is also on the edge, and as the gales have hit Trearddur Bay over the last couple of weeks it has sometimes seemed as if it is at the edge of the world. It is a place of beauty and resilience. Then again, holy places usually are.