The 2nd Canterbury Pilgrimage 1979

Day 1: Brighton to Seaford

For the first time, our pilgrimage didn't start at Arundel Cathedral (though that was our ultimate destination). The plan was to link "Arundel and Brighton" with Canterbury, so we started in Brighton, at St John the Baptist, Kemp Town. This is Brighton's oldest Catholic Church, founded by Mrs Fitzherbert, wife of King George IV, who made Brighton a popular resort.

After Mass we all lined up on the steps of the church for a press photo (click photo for bigger view):

Our leader for the first two days was fully equipped: he needed to be, this was a massive first day (on a pilgrimage of long days)

We enjoyed some fine views back over the sea and the town as we climbed up over Race Hill.

For the first time we hired a proper van, rather than scrounging minibuses to carry our luggage. So much easier to load! They met up with us near Woodingdean for a drink stop.

And so on the Juggs Arms at Kingston. These novices from the convent at Portslade had joined us for the day.

After lunch, we prayed at the church of St Pancras. Chris and Geraldine, in the foreground, had been married since our last pilgrimage to Glastonbury.

An hour or so later we reach St Peter's at Southease, with its 13th Century wall paintings. It's after 4 in the afternoon, and we're only just over half way through this 20 miler- no wonder everyone is conserving their energy.

A 7 mile stint (via the interestingly named "Poverty Bottom") brought us to St Andrew's, Bishopstone, in the early evening. The novices are still with us (fully initiated by now, I'd say). Still, it's only a couple of miles to go...

And so, at nearly 8 in the evening, we reach our first overnight stop, Annecy Primary School in Seaford. I vaguely recollect hardly having the energy to go out looking for a drink...