Day 3: Kingsley to Knutsford

Our day started with meditative setting-off prayers outside by the (almost packed) van.

And then we were off.

But it was only a short walk . . .

. . . to St John the Evangelist's for a joint Anglican/Catholic Eucharist.

The Mass was co-celebrated by Father David and the priest from St John's.

By the time we came out, the sun had burnt through the early drizzle and waterproofs were replaced by sun cream.

I think Bruce was getting a bit fed up of having his photo taken.

Soon we were out of Kingsley and walking through the potato fields . . .

. . . and country lanes.

There were quite a few bridges: some to go over . . .

. . . and some to go under.

Our route took us along the Weaver Navigation, which we crossed at the lock gates.

Nice hat, John.

And Monica's really is nice and protects her from the sun as she gives us our cups at the drink stops.

By now, the weather was lovely and many pilgrims settled in the sun for a while, enjoying their drinks and the view of the river.

Even so, busy roads are never far away.

But, just like the views of the open countryside, our industrial heritage is often rather impressive.

St Michael and All Angels, Little Leigh, gave us a warm welcome in the form of tea and biscuits.

Garth, a Mennonite minster from Canada, spoke to us on today's theme, Imitation of Holy People, telling us about people who had inspired him in his own life.

The vicar was very interested in our pilgrimage and keen to chat with us . . .

. . . before we continued on our way.

It's amazing how the front markers manage to put arrows in such inaccessible places - and even more amazing how the backmarkers manage to retrieve them.

Much of our route was along the Trent & Mersey Canal. One pilgrim suggested the mouth of this tunnel and its reflection was like an egg - so I took a photo.

David wanted a photo, too, but thought a shot virtually at water level would be better - and so Peter lent a hand to make sure it wasn't from below water level.

We reached the Anderton Boat Life just as this pleasure craft was emerging.

Lunch was nearby, with a view over the canal, at the Stanley Arms.

Marta enjoyed her ice cream.

Oh, so that's how those arrows get up there. It's all down to Action Man Ant!

And some arrows were moving along the canal.

As well as the drinks stops, the churches and the pubs, God provides us with refreshment more directly, here being enjoyed by Mary and John.

But refreshments at churches are always welcome, in this case provided by the ladies at Lostock Gralam church.

Once refreshed, Polish pilgrims Ola and Marta, whose church in Gdansk is dedicated to holocaust martyr Maximillian Kolbe, whose feast we were celebrating today, spoke to us, randomly assigning each pilgrim another to pray for over the coming days.

And then we carried on following those arrows.

Our next stop was at Plumley, where we received a welcome (and yet more tea) . . .

 . . . before Ursula shared with us her reflections on the pilgrimage and how the routes of the recent ones she has participated in form the shape of a cross and what this symbolised to her.

Yet another bridge, this one crossing the motorway, as we approached Knutsford, where we spent the night at St John's Church.