Faith on the move - Chester to Lincoln 2006

Day 2: Chester to Kingsley

Our first walking day, and we began outside with our setting off prayers.

We made our way together through Chester . . .

. . . along the wall . . .

. . . and along the canal . . .

. . . to St Werburgh's Church for Mass.

We received a warm welcome and after the service, many of the parishioners were keen to chat and to wish us well on our journey.

Then we were on our way again, along the canal . . .

. . . to Vicar's Cross . . .

. . . where we had our first prayer stop of this year at the United Reformed Church. Keith spoke to us on today's theme of 'Raising Mind and Heart to God', using the image of the constancy of the sun to illustrate his point.

We came out to find the rain had started. So waterproofs were donned . . .

. . . and we stood in the drizzle for our drinks . . .


. . . or sheltered under a tree.


It was less than two miles to our next stopping point, St John the Baptist, Guilden Sutton. David, one of today's front marking team was there in time to have his photo taken with Goliath.

Other pilgrims arrived shortly after.

Here is Howard, who has this year come from New Zealand with two friends, Annette Large and Freida Moffat.

Tineke spoke to us movingly about her friends who have a severely mentally handicapped son and of the difficulties and difficult decisions the have to make.

Today there were a great many kissing gates and pilgrimage tradition had to be upheld.

Further pleasant walking . . .

. . . took us to lunch at the White Horse Inn, Great Barrow.

Come on Bruce - we're only half way through the first walking day!

Straight after lunch was another prayer stop.

No really, there was . . . at St Bartholomew's. John spoke to us, telling us that there is no such thing as a theoretical Christian and that our faith requires action.

Here Tineke and Sue set the pace for our afternoon walking.

The natives were friendly . . .

. . . even though they seemed to have set an obstacle course, but it was no trouble for Keith.

 Soon, it downhill again.

A pilgrim's tale (OK, it's a tail, really.)

Our final prayer stop of the day was at St John's, Alvanley.

Patrick used pilgrims Jonny, Ola and Marta to illustrate his talk on the meaning of life, which is to learn how to love God by learning how to love each other by learning what love means to ourselves.

We enjoyed coffee, tea and cakes generously provided by the parish.


Kevin (and friends) were pleased there was a pub opposite the church.

Another four miles took us to Kingsley, where we are staying at the school for the night.

Here Peter and Clare are ready for their dinner.

Bruce was in need of a drink.

After the meal, some folk went to the pub, others practised for tomorrow's service and others relaxed.