DAY SEVEN Leominster to Ludlow

Well, I said there was to be a musical session - but it wasn't quite what we expected. Local band Contraband were rehearsing in the adjoining music room - filling our dining room with sound.

So we opened the doors and danced in the passageway.

The partying continued, for some, well into the night. Then sleep, up, pack after the rest day -where is all my luggage? - and off.

First stop was the Priory church, where we were given an excellent talk on the theme of violence as part of our morning service.

Milly had to try out the ducking stool . . . Is she a witch or is she not?

The front markers encountered a farmer concerned that the walkers were upsetting his bullocks.

We walked through a field with several massive puffballs . . .

. . . Fred was game for a free snack!

Then we went on towards SS Peter & Paul, Eye.

Getting closer!

The young cousins led a prayer stop on violence, concluding with the Beatles' "All you need is love".

The path was blocked by barbed wire - a challenge even for Ant.

Julian recently mailed us to complain about the shortage of train pictures this year. Well, here are a couple . . .

. . . but Stephen's attempt missed the train!

Lunch was at the Maidenhead Inn . .

. . .  but we weren't allowed to eat our own food, so many sat on the verge opposite.

After lunch, the rain came on and we trudged on to Richard's Castle, where we chatted to the locals at the drink stop . . .

. . . . before climbing up to the church . . .

. . . . with its box pews . . .

. . . and Maurice preaching on the war poet Wilfrid Owen.

There was a long hill soon afterwards.

From the top we got a sight of Ludlow Castle.

And we descended into the town over the river.

Then round the castle to St Lawrence's church . . .

. . . where we stopped for sung compline. Anne and Angela examined the misericords.

Then a short walk north to our stop for the night.

 

ITINERARY

0900 [0.0 miles] The Minster College, Castlefields, Leominster SO497585

0915-0945 [0.5] Priory Church of Ss Peter & Paul, Leominster, Prayers SO498593

1115-1130 [4.25] SS Peter & Paul Church, Eye, Prayers SO496637

1230-1330 [6.5] Maidenhead Inn, Orleton, Lunch SO486683

1500-1530 [9.5] St Bartholomew's Church, Richards Castle ruins, Prayers SO482702

1730-1815 [14] St Lawrence's Church, Ludlow, Evening Prayer SO512747

1900 [15.25] Ludlow C of E School, Bromfield Road, Burway, Ludlow, Shropshire SO505758

Leaders: Anne Leggett, Dave Cosham and Christa Turner

Diarist: AS
Created: 20/8/04