Day 16: Journey Home

Where have all the pilgrims gone? They must be around somewhere . . .

. . . but in spite of the 7.30 rise time (we couldn't be late for the coach), it seemed quite some while before anyone was particularly active (apart from Aidan who at 6.00 a.m. had decided to make a start on writing the Day 15 report).

Our final Mass together (although some had already left - note the depleted intrumental forces) was at 10.00 a.m.

“Last call for luggage!” But the luggage now goes on the coach - although the van appears to be full of empties!

The pilgrims must have shown surprising efficiency for the last day, as the coach was on the road a few minutes before the scheduled departure time and reached Jacksons Stop Inn just after midday.

The mystery of what was on the bar menu at the lunch pub was solved: nothing - pilgrims had to order from the somewhat expensive three-course menu. Some clever pilgrims ordered starters that they didn't want and passed them to another pilgrim, and others simply shared their meal (and wore purple tops, although that detail may not be directly relevant).

Nevertheless, lunch appears to have been enjoyed: inside . . .

. . . and out.

Photographer John reports:

“And that's it - when I attempted to photograph the final farewell hug between Patrick and Marta & Ola outside the pub, I was ‘out of memory’.  I cleared some memory to take more at Redhill, but I forgot when we arrived.

Today I bought a 256MB card so that's a vast increase from my 64MB and 8MB cards for next year - as long as I don't take 5 times as many photos!”

There was news of tailbacks off the M1 into Luton Airport but the driver found a back route in which was fine.  At Luton Airport, Ola, Marta, Annette and Francis (to catch a Thameslink train) departed.

And the rest of the pilgrims reached Redhill not long after five and were greeted by John Lamb, who had come to collect Nick, but busied himself ferrying luggage to the station.

Mary had lost the bag containing her bedding.  Perhaps it has turned up in another pilgrims luggage by now: in the van or one of the cars - it wasn't in the coach.  It might be back at the hall or perhaps it is sitting abandoned outside Luton Airport and causing a security alert . . .