Day 15: Sutton Coldfield to Lichfield

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The last day - and what a start! Steve Roche, Bursar of Oscott College, arrived saying he'd needed an outboard motor on his car to get through the floods. We'd certainly heard it on the roof of the room we were sleeping in. So after breakfast, setting off prayers and a farewell from Steve Roche, the front markers set out into the downpour. Not for long: yours truly had left his route notes behind, so had to sprint back through the rain. What a start!

Anyway, the team settled down as we negotiated Sutton Park, keeping well off the main metalled tracks, passing Keepers Pool and the Exmoor pony enclosure, before emerging onto the road on the north of the park, and slipping into Streetly Methodist Church, where we were made very welcome.

From Streetly we headed through Little Aston Park to the church of St Peter's, Little Aston, where the vicar met us. I have to admit to failure as reporter here - my grandparents are buried in the churchyard, and in searching for the grave I forgot to get a picture of the church. SO here's the gravestone - needing a bit of TLC.

We continued north, passing Shenstone, to Wall where we lunched at the Trooper. Here we were met by a group of no fewer than 20 walkers from St Chad's Church in Lichfield, led by their rector, Jill. More drove out to meet and went back to prepare refreshments.

Here the front markers were supplemented by Stephen Smith, St Chad's webmaster, who helped plan this section and has been a crucial link in the planning of our arrival in Lichfield.

We threaded through the city streets to Stowe Pool, getting our first sight of the Cathedral and St Chad's ahead of us.

 

We reached St Chad's, where we received a great welcome. We enjoyed refreshments as we prepared our liturgy.

By the time the service started we had dried out a bit. We were welcomed by the rector, sang "I rejoiced", heard a reading of the exodus story and responded in song, sang Shine Jesus Shine, and then were invited to follow the Bishop Keith past St Chad's Well and Stowe Pool to the Cathedral.

Here we are passing St Chad's Well (picture by Lesley Hill)

Then alongside Stowe Pool again...

We tried to sing as we processed, but had to compete with the Lichfield Pop and Rock Festival! At the gate to the Close we were met by the Dean, Michael Yorke, who led us round to the West Door...

and into the Cathedral, where he welcomed us and we started singing For All the Saints.

Still singing we processed through the Cathedral to the Lady Chapel, where the Bishop read a lesson to us, Father David read the litany of all the churches we have visited en route, and the Dean led prayers. The Bishop gave a blessing, not only on those present, but including all sorts of people who had helped us on our way (demonstrating a remarkable understanding of what is involved in making a successful pilgrimage). The service concluded with us all singing Jerusalem.

Afterwards we were able to visit the shrine of St Chad

We were treated to tea in the College Refectory, where the Bishop again joined us for a chat (and to open the windows!)

From the Cathedral we walked up to Holy Cross RC Church, where we are staying in their hall and various rooms around the church. Parts of the old rooms were a but dirty, but Dennis set to with the broom

We then celebrated our final Mass in Holy Cross, ending with a blessing of Lesley's engagement ring

And so to our celebration meal..

Where I was caught writing up the day's activities, surrounded by my various assistants (?!!)