The Ss Chad & Cedd Pilgrimage 2002

Day 8: Chapeltown to Cudworth

Apart from a few who braved a local pub, and Theresa who found the local folk club, we had a quiet evening. So, a fresh morning, sun shining, the boots going on...

...but not far before Ant thinks his foot has unwelcome company.

It's always reassuring when the signs agree with the front markers.

Our first challenge: crossing the golf course. Patrick sweet talks the golfers

and we behave ourselves as we walk the length of a fairway.

Then under the M1 and away. We quickly left the outskirts of greater Sheffield for real countryside.

A fairly easy walk took us to Elsecar, the "working village" of the Wentworth estate. Here there is an industrial heritage centre, and buildings from the time the mill was built.

We were made very welcome at the parish church of the Holy Trinity, where Louise led the prayer stop encouraging us to share a smile.

Less than a mile to lunch, we found Father Joe waiting for us.

And Tony looking the true Irishman

not to mention the Irish women inside the pub.

After lunch we followed a section of canal, then a long fast walk along one of the many disused railways (serving the many disused coal mines in this area). Here we had a little rain, but it didn't last.

When the time came to leave the embankment for our next prayer stop, there was a separation of sheep and mountain goats.

We then reached the ruins of Monk Bretton Priory, a former Cluniac establishment dating from 1154.

Our preparations for prayer were distracted by a wedding party arriving for a photo shoot. Goodness knows what the monks would have made of this.

The priory having no roof, and the rain still threatening, we prayed under a large tree.

A short walk took us to the Mill of the Black Monks. This was the priory mill, and converted into a pub several years back.

The pub had been about to close, but luckily they stayed open. So we enjoyed various refreshments - teas, coffees, beers, desserts. The youngsters played pool.

A final three miles took us to Cudworth, and a final prayer stop at the Anglican church of St John's.

After unpacking, we returned to the Catholic Church to celebrate Mass before supper.