Sleep!

Luttrell Psalter, Psalm 4 line decoration.

Psalms skirt version based on the above.

Sleep! I haven't had enough of it lately, which you will sense if you notice the time I've been posting. When on the camino (I say, Viv, I thought you were going to shut up about that?) we went to bed very early - about 9.30, as we had to be up at 6 with a long day of walking ahead of us. Strangely, although walking 17 miles a day on average, we didn't sleep like logs every night, far from it. The night we walked 24 miles and had a room-for-two in an inn was one of the very worst, even though we had velvet coverlets and all comforts.

I was introduced to the little 'Anon' poem below a few years ago by a dear elderly gentleman who has since gone to his everlasting sleep.

The somewhat incomprehensible Psalm 4 has 'Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still' and ends 'In peace will I both lay me down and sleep: for thou, Lord, alone makest me dwell in safety.' (Comprehensible bits which make up for the rest.)

Quite what is going on in Psalm 149:5 I don't know: 'Let saints exult in glory: Let them sing for joy upon their beds.' Could this be a 'Fresh Expression' idea for those of us who find it hard to get out of bed in time for church on Sundays?

'Luttrell pilgrim', putting it all into practice immediately on arrival.

Sleep well!