Day 1: Guildford to West End

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Well, after almost a year of planning the day is here. So will everything go according to the plan? Of course not! Pilgrims gather at St Joseph's, Guildford, from all over the UK plus Kenya, USA and the Netherlands. But, with half an hour to go we get a phone call from Patrick - the van (with all the hymn books and pilgrim crosses) is still far away, so PANIC we had to re-plan the liturgy to not need hymn books until half way through!

Anyway, we all registered with Pat, then moved upstairs for our first Mass together. The scratch music group just about got things together, and we placed ourselves in the presence of the Lord singing "Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here". It was a great joy to have Father Joe from Kenya with us, not only to lead this Mass, but to be with us for the whole journey. He introduced himself as a great ecumenist, with real enthusiasm for our pilgrimage.

Before departing from Mass, the pilgrim crosses, made for us yet again by Geoff Bedford, were presented to the Pilgrims. Each pilgrim was called forward by name and John, Lesley or Father Joe placed the cross over their head.

We concluded with "God's spirit is my heart", taking the message to go forth joyfully. Then, all hands to packing the van (not a one-way version this year), and we set off in a northerly direction.

 Out through Stoke Park, over the A3 and the Wey Navigation (no-one thrown in by Patrick) and on through the outskirts of Guildford. A few weak pilgrims succumbed to the temptation of the above-mentioned devil and were deluded into entering a house of ill repute. Well, OK, a pub. It's churches we're not supposed to pass by, isn't it? Anyway, a swift refreshment and on towards lunch.

Lunch was at the Jolly Farmer, but there are no pictures - too much water flying about, which was quite welcome in the heat. Early in the afternoon we stopped at Emmanuel Church, Mayford, where Pat and Nicole Olivier were married, and John compared the pilgrimage to marriage - both need working at, and putting your needs behind those of others.

Off again in the heat, past St John's (where we couldn't stop because of a wedding - and the congregation were singing audibly!), through the Woking-suburb of St John's, to Knaphill, where we got a great welcome from Fr Richard and his parishioners.

On to the last leg of this first day, we found our first "pilgrimage mud", and Louise, John and Jenny had to step carefully. (I'm assured Jenny only wore her trainers for the last 2 miles, because she knew there was mud!)

Unfortunately, John didn't take such care with his pudding, which ended up in all the wrong places.

So here we are at Tringham Hall in West End, not too big but space enough and a nice modern building. No showers yet though. The big kids love the playground, the older boys have found somewhere to play over the other side of the green.

Must go, Sio and Abi want to go across the green too! (and I need a pint).