Day 1: Arundel to Midhurst

From the beginning, gathering the luggage and loading the van has been an important part of our pilgrimage (because it means we don't have to carry everything). In 1975 we had just Fr Bill's "Snoopy Bus", the aging grey Ford Transit minibus pictured below. For 1976 we also had the Simons family's Commer motorcaravan, just visible beyond the minibus.

Our first day had the same start and end points as the previous year, but a different route between them. Again we started with Mass at Arundel Cathedral but, after refreshments at St Mary's Hall, we set off down the hill rather than up into the Arundel Park.

Leaving Arundel you are soon in open country, where Bill captured one of those timeless pilgrimage views.

A short morning's walk brought us to the Newburgh Arms at Slindon, a pub which became a regular whenever we set out west from Arundel. Just look at that browned-off excuse for a lawn!

From the pub it's a short walk to St Richard's church and prayers.

Then on to St Mary the Virgin, Up Waltham

followed by a stint along the South Downs Way before stopping at St James', Heyshott (as we did the previous year) for prayers and tea, before the final hour's walk into Midhurst and the Convent of Mercy.