DAY FOURTEEN Wrexham to Chester

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Our day began gently with a walk of less than a mile . . .

. . . to the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Sorrows.

We joined in with a parish mass, with pilgrim musicians leading the music.

We continued on our way through Wrexham's shopping streets . . .

. . . to the Anglican parish church of St Giles, for DIY prayers.

We continued out of Wrexham . . .

. . . passing through a more run-down housing area.

Soon, we left the town behind and were in the company of cows once more.

We seem to have encountered plenty of stiles already this year, but Patrick's 'Pilgrim Assault Course' was the climax, consisting of nineteen stiles with less than fifty yards between stiles.

By the time we reached St Chad's Church, Farndon, shortly before lunch, the weather had turned very hot and pilgrims enjoyed a drinks stop, sitting in the churchyard.

Sue led the stop, reading us several poems on the theme of achievement. We were also met by several regulars from Chester Cathedral. They presented Sue with a genuine Chester Cathedral Cross brooch (the Chester Cathedral cross is our pilgrim cross for this year) and then accompanied us on the rest of our journey.

At our lunch stop, Mike and Jessica and family were waiting for us. Mike and Jessica have been on previous pilgrimages and Mike edits the pilgrimage newsletter.

After lunch, everyone was very keen to move on - mainly because anyone who failed to reach the boat in time would have a longer walk - and so pilgrims were right up behind and even overtaking the front markers.

After a couple of miles, there was a prayer stop at St John the Baptist, Aldford, which gave the front markers a chance to get ahead.

After drinks and 'facilities' kindly provided by the church, John led the stop, with his imaginary epistle from St Paul to the pilgrims.

We then proceeded at a pace once more, as the anticipation of the last leg of this year's pilgrimage grew. Soon we were crossing the bridge over the River Dee.

Our boat was waiting for us at a landing stage, owned by the Duke of Westminster, who had given us special permission.

Soon, we were all aboard and in high spirits, knowing that the walking part of this year's pilgrimage was virtually over.

As we travelled down the river, the instrumentalists led us in a selection of pilgrim favourites from 'Songs of the Spirit' . . .

. . . ensuring we were all in good voice by the time we were disembarking in Chester.

After a short breather, we gathered together again and processed singing along the city walls.

We must have made quite an impressive sight, sweeping locals and tourists along with us.

We came down from the walls near the Cathedral and made our way round to the west door, which was ceremoniously opened for us.

We were met by a cathedral canon, who had rashly agreed to wash three pilgrims' feet. It may have been a shorter day, but we had walked nearly seventeen miles!

The Cathedral allowed us to play a full part in the service. Teresa led the responsorial psalm, and Pat and Jonny (pictured) read the lessons.

All the places and churches we had visited on this year's pilgrimage were prayed for and the two hymns, which were chosen by the pilgrims, were 'To be a pilgrim', with which the service began and the other pilgrimage signature tune, Jerusalem, with which we ended. The phrase 'rousing rendition' often comes to mind when describing pilgrim singing, but it is the most appropriate to describe this particular occasion.

It was less than a mile from the Cathedral to the Northgate Church, where we are staying. Deprived of rain over the last few days, Patrick decided to mark a route through the fountains. The more sensible members of the front-marking team arrowed a drier alternative route through the subway.

Our pilgrimage complete, after bed spaces had been claimed and a meal eaten, most pilgrims decided to relax with a drink at the nearby Catholic social club.

This is the most energetic thing that happened.

By the time the last pilgrims arrived back at the hall, lights were out.

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