DAY SEVEN  Bexhill-on-Sea to Eastbourne

After yesterday's rest, back on our feet today. But first, clearing up after the night before.

A leisurely return to walking - only a short half mile before our first stop, St Mary Magdalene Church, where we joined parishioners for mass for the Feast of the Assumption.

Our route took us down to along the front once more.

And then through a golf course.

Another sunny day, but, thankfully, not quite as hot as it has been.

In the afternoon, we had three prayer stops.

Howard, our New Zealand pilgrim, led the first at St Wilfrid's, Pevensey Bay. He used a New Zealand story to illustrate his theme and concluded by teaching us the 'Hongi' - a New Zealand greeting consisting of shaking hands and touching noses together three times. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) no photographs were taken of this.

Our second stop was at St Richard's Langney.

Several years of pilgrimage are obviously having an effect on Andy and Dennis, who are here pictured with tea cups and saucers instead of the usual beer glasses, as we enjoyed the hospitality provided.

Fred, who does not describe himself as a Christian, led the prayer stop, giving us an insight into his understanding of God and the points of Christianity he could identify with.

A heart in the sky. Could it have been a divine message? It could, but as it was the day of the Eastbourne Air Show and the Red Arrows had just flown over, it didn't seem likely.

Our final stop was at Willingdon United Free Church, where Bruce appropriately explained the structure and organisation of his Evangelical Church in Gloucester.

Another quarter of a mile led us to the Willingdon Community School, where we are staying tonight. Some are in our nearest pub, while others have stayed in and enjoyed David's slide show of last year's pilgrimage.

 

ITINERARY

0930 [0.0 miles] Depart. St Richard's College, Ashdown Road, Bexhill TQ752077

1000-1100 [0.5] Parish Mass. St Mary Magdalene Church, Sea Road, Bexhill (TQ746076)

1215 [3.25] Cooden Beach Railway Station (TQ710065)

1300-1400 [5.25] Lunch. The Star Inn, Normans Bay (TQ687061)

1515-1530 [7.75] Prayers. St Wilfrid's Church, Pevensey Bay (TQ657040)

1630-1700 [10.0] Prayers. St Richard's Church, Priory Road, Langney, Eastbourne TQ632021

1845-1900 [14.25] Prayers. Willingdon Utd Free Church, Coppice Avenue (TQ584034)

1905 [14.5] Arrive. Willingdon Community School, Broad Road TQ579037