Day 12: Rest Day in Ryde
A rest day from which we can see most of tomorrow's walk!
A late start - 8:30 rise, followed by Mass at 10. Crosses were given to new joiners, including Joan (who has actually been around for a couple of days!)
The musicians were assisted by Becky on keyboards...
...and the Gamble brothers on bass and guitar.
An invasion of Kiwis - Howard and Neville were joined by wives and friends.
A group went off for a historical tour of Ryde...
...looking at the parish church...
...and the Town Hall.
Others stayed back and chatted.
Strangely enough some went to a pub for luncheon.
Here it all became bit blurry.
Postcards were written
Some went bowling...
...and played crazy golf...
...and even got the ball in the hole.
Back to the hall
B and Jonny took charge of the tea bar (renamed "Pilgrims Rest")
Takeaways were ordered and eaten communally in the hall...
...all nationalities...
...and tastes.
The Isle of Wight's own Minghella ice cream company donated a supply of their delicious desserts, much enjoyed by the pilgrims.
Jean, who is leaving early, read a poem she had written
Though we have no wife of Bath
Our Julia is a laugh.
With a great and mighty thud
She descended to the mud
To observe her derriere
Try the web, it’s starring there
Maurice is her pal
The pilgrims all in thrall
To their early morning tea
Which we all greet with glee
R.C. Fathers, we have two
And they daily provide the glue
Keeping focus our theme
Masses fitting in the scheme
Richard’s walking, a nice fella
Next he’s off to Compostella
Fr David’s keen on Scrabble
But amidst all the babble
Is his playing up to snuff!
We’ve been led in many ways
On prayer stops through the day
Whether you be short or tall
I sincerely thank you all
For those with a romantic air
Gill and Derek are a pair
Trying hard to stay together
Over lovely island heather
Tineke and Daniella
And those two great Kiwi fellas
Came all this way for a walk
And a little bit of talk
For our lovely sunny weather
They left New Zealand altogether
We’ve had sunshine
We’ve had rain
And a gale now and again
Little ferries (still more to go)
And a luxury bateau
Have saved us from wet feet
(But not always)
And Simon dear those boots
Will not last many more routes
Peter leads our pilgrims on
Patrick leads us all in song
Aidan gives our folks the news
But the website will confuse
Those not too good at the internet
Like my husband
As a speedy marker team
The youngsters are supreme
Michael, Sarah, Jonny, Ant
And Bridget never seem to pant
As they vault over the stiles
Front marking many miles
For the backmarkers we must say
At the rear they try to stay
Giving pilgrims a good steer
Though some may fall prey to beer
They look for you in the loo
In some pubs they try that too
But if you stray because of booze
The orange arrows you will lose
Francis even had to swim
Just to get the arrows in
Monica & Rosemary
Are a cheering sight to see
In the sun or in a gale
Their refreshments will not fail
Joan for rolls the mastermind
And her teams are very kind
To the pilgrims who have terror
Of cucumber or whatever
Frances leads a wondrous crew
To provide for me and you
Some really first class grub
So much better than the pub
I’ve made good friends on the way
Helen, Maureen should I stay
So the musketeers now two
Have a vacancy, is it you?
The Johns, Aruna, Althea, Jack, Julie,
Keith, Marie, the Pats, Louis, Bill
Pauline, Cora, Bernie, Ruth, Catherine,
David, Norma, or Godwin
So pilgrims for near
If you are not mentioned here
I apologise a bit
But you’ve at least been saved my terrible wit
So I’ll return across the sea
My hubby I shall see
And take him of to gay Parie
On Tuesday
But I’ll be back!
Father Abraham gave everyone a chance to look daft...
...but who cares?
No one was left sitting...
...Marie enjoyed it.
Rise and Shine allowed Frances and Joan to ... try to tell the time?
The ringleaders
Looks like Neville's pulled... (actually it was Dannie who pulled Neville onto his feet).
Today's editor: Aidan Simons