Day 3: Horndean to Blackfield

This was to be the longest day yet on a pilgrimage (still a record, 25 years later, and little chance of us ever walking such a long day again). It meant a very early start!

Some pilgrims slept at the Napier Hall and were collected en route.

The early start was followed by a pretty early Mass at St Edmund's, just up the road.

Early morning is a good time to meet the milkman - and catch up on breakfast!

Susan, our leader for the day, strides out in front.

I suspect Bill was with the front markers, as this would explain both the previous picture and the lack of other pictures through the whole morning. However, there is evidence of our lunch stop, where we had a big function room to ourselves I recall.

After lunch, the pilgrims cross the Wallington river.

We then walked alongside the M27...

...reaching St Francis' church at Funtley.

Afternoon prayers at St Peter's, Titchfield. With 16 miles done that would often have been a day's worth, but we've got more than 10 miles left to go!

Two hours more walking took us to the jetty for the Warsash Ferry, on the south bank of the Hamble River. It was pretty chilly waiting for the boat sitting in the breeze off the water.

In due course our boat arrived, ready to transport us across Southampton Water - an hour's rest for the legs!

Geoff, who made our crosses for many years, was there with his family.

Our front markers stayed out on deck.

As did Tim, on one of his last days.

Once off the ferry we still had nearly 5 miles to walk, into the edge of the New Forest, to Blackfield Community Centre.