It seems a long time ago now, since I first decided to walk the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome. It was after my return from the completion of my pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella from St Jean Pied de Port in July of last year the decision was made and preparations commenced. The weather here on Exmoor has not been good for winter and early spring which restricted my preparation walks but I feel
The “Wonder of Memory” One of my preparation walks is a 30 kilometre (20 mile) circular walk that takes me from my home in Brushford via the Haddeo Valley to Wimbleball Lake, where I complete a full circuit of the lake before returning to Brushford back along the Haddeo Valley. Wimbleball is a water supply reservoir constructed in the 1970s and completed in 1979. Its supply comes from the river Haddeo and the lake now provides
Last Sunday 20th May was Pentecost, it was also the third Sunday in May which is the traditional day on which the Rogation walk takes place at Withiel Florey. This was my first Rogation walk and also my first visit to the church of St Mary Magdelane which has its origins in the 11th century. It was a beautiful day for walking and you will see from the service and hymn sheets below how
I left home this morning catching the 10.10 from Tiverton to Paddington. The train was 7 minutes late and was full and some chap was sitting in my reserved seat which he said he had mistaken for another and gave me his seat number which I took. However at the next stop a new passenger told me I was sitting in his reserved seat! So back to claim my original seat – the gentleman moved
The rooms of the Cathedral Gate hotel where I was staying have room names rather than room numbers – my room was called “Chimes”, I guess named after the Cathedral bells. The Cathedral is well lit at night and it seemed not quite right to pull the curtains on such a holy view but sleep was needed. I rose early for breakfast and was surprised to find myself joined by Steve Hackman with his wife,