Day 5: Bransgore to Studland

Yet another long day - by the end of it we'll have walked 105 miles in 5 consecutive days (try telling the pilgrims of today that - they won't believe you!)

Our first task is to cross the Avon Valley as we pass from Hampshire into Dorset - fortunately the Avon Causeway remained above water level!

We were made very welcome at Hurn Christian Fellowship, at the western end of the causeway

We crossed Throop Weir over the River Stour, and passed by Throop Mill

I think the rain had started before we reached St Edmund Campion Church at Strouden Park, where we celebrated Mass. I do recall that the church was carpeted - not a good mix with wet and muddy pilgrims!

There was a choice for lunch - the pub (almost next door) or fetch a takeaway from over the road and bring it back to the church hall.

It definitely tipped down with rain as we headed through "greater Bournemouth", via parks, gardens and golf courses, to the coast, near Boscombe Pier.

We passed Bournemouth Pier - I'm not sure that Bill took this on the day

This is more like it - the rain had been very heavy, though it eased off as we walked along the seafront. We were, however, pretty much wet anyway.

Many of us had given up any pretence at being dry - chasing each other through the paddling pools along the promenade. Clearly Danny hadn't entered into the spirit and needed some encouragement!

Patrick, of course, never needs any encouragement, and is always keen to find a challenge for the backmarkers on a rising tide.

However wet we might be, we cannot walk across the entrance to Poole Harbour, so we needed the Sandbanks Ferry.

Another chance for a sit down!

On the far side we walked the length of Shell Beach - almost deserted...

...even time for the front markers to have fun, before leading us into Studland.