Day 14: Collingham to Lincoln

Our last walking day - an early rise - the usual chaos in the hall...

But before too long it was transformed into a worship space and we celebrated our daily eucharist, as part of which we collected three nightlight candles to be lit at each of the DIY prayer stops this morning.

Most of the walkers headed off, but the back markers stayed to put the chairs away.

So we set out from Collingham War Memorial Hall

First stop was just a little way up the road, at the Methodist Church.

Here the first candle was lit, with a prayer for "Conversion of Myself" (today's theme is Conversion - no, not to natural gas or unleaded petrol).

Then we were on the road again, keen to run to time, passing a pub without stopping .

Jean strides out as we head into the fields

John and David deep in conversation.

Bernie leads the pilgrim train

And look here - Helen shows the other pilgrims a clean pair of heels.

After mixed weather for most of the pilgrimage, today looked perfect - the only cloud being man-made.

The women at the well drew water (and squash) for passing pilgrims

The front markers (all 7 of them) posed for a team photo

then we had a our first formal prayer stop at All Saints, North Scarle, where we were welcomed by George the vicar, who had recently made the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, and had nearly lost his toes in the process.

In the porch, the tiles were clearly dedicated to our drinks monitor.

Pilgrims approached up the church path

David found an orifice to peep through

And David's starting to influence my photos too...

Maureen  led the reflection, marvelling at the faith of nun she met in India, who would trust everything to God's providence.

Then we were back on our way

but only as far as the old chapel, now the parish hall, where we were served tea and coffee

At the next church, All Saints, Eagle, we lit a candle for the Conversion of a Friend

before walking through the village in a long straggle

Next stop was St Peter's, Doddington, which was unfortunately closed

Jack and Fred take a grave view of things

The candles, for Converion of our Land, were reluctant to stay alight, but were tended by Ant.

Just before lunch, Ant was careful to follow the marked route.

The pub served drinks, but no food, and allowed us to bring our own food. Ola was eating something sweet again.

We filled the garden and pub

David felt the need to protect himself from the sun

Sarah and Peter were  joined by Mandy and family

Then we crossed the road to the Methodist Church

Our hosts were pleased to have the church full

Jack led our final prayer stop of the pilgrimage, handing out pieces of a rock he had collected earlier on the pilgrimage, before finishing with "Glory, Glory, Alleluia!"

The road we then followed caused some to burst into song.

Then we walked along an old railway towards Lincoln.

Ant and I had to stop to tell the backmarkers that Maurice had deviated into the pub

The pilgrims passed by

We even saw a train for Jules

We started to get better and better views of the cathedral

Lincoln got closer - as did the only hill of the day

We climbed through the town

We then gathered together and processed to the Cathedral, singing

Under the gateway, into the cathedral close

The great west doors opened before us and we processed through into the nave

We went through to the choir stalls and settled down ready for Evensong. The front markers posed for another photo.

The choir led the worship

After Evensong we moved to St Hugh's Shrine, and prayed for each of the places we had visited on our route, lighting a candle for each day.

Stephen (led along by David) used the mirrror intended for viewing the ceiling to sandwich Patrick between two views of the east window.

Fr. David and Sue moved the candles to the shrine

Pilgrims fill the chapel

Patrick then led us (via a devious route - not quite via Skegness, but rather longer than the direct way) to the Pre-Prep department of Lincoln Minster Junior School.

So here we are, journey complete - celebrations tomorrow!