Day 13: Ryde to Emsworth
Hovercraft, ferry, old railway … this day has everything except hills!
After a welcome rest day, we set off again back towards the mainland with a Hovercraft across the Solent.
Just down the hill from our hall in Ryde led us to the port.
Today's leader Patrick, having caught an earlier vessel, forced the pilgrims to wait until the next flight so as to give the frontmarkers a head start.
When the 10:30 arrived the pilgrims ploughed on...
...and off again.
As we left the Hovercraft, we were joined by Margaret, a pilgrim of old and leader of the Portsmouth Diocesan Walking Pilgimage.
And so, off again along the front at Southsea, pilgrims chatting in the usual pilgrim fashion.
At the D-Day war memorial, Howard found a piece of military equipment built a lot like himself.
We left the road and joined the beach. Some pilgrims decided that it was much nicer to walk on concrete around Fort Cumberland instead of the beach, however they later found the arrows were on the beach for a reason...
...But once they were down from their higher road they could continue along the sea front.
As we rounded the corner of Portsea Island, the light across the entrance to Langstone Harbour was attractive, despite the nondescript weather that continues today (well, we should be grateful that we've had no significant rain whilst walking since Saturday - but equally no significant sun, just significant wind and general greyness!).
Just round the corner, on the edge of Eastney, pilgrims gathered for the ferry to Hayling Island. The main body of pilgrims were found on this particular ferry, as only 8 pilgrims managed earlier ones.
Maurice, pictured with the lunch pub, was sorely angered by how close the pub was, but how long it was taking him to get there.
Amidst the fore-running pilgrims were various cameras to get photos of impatient pilgrims heading to the pub.
John the van, and his glamorous assistant, Julie,(well, decidedly more glamorous than John) enjoy a welcome rest from their driving.
The frontmarkers, having left the pub surprisingly early, found time to decorate a tree.
A day of no hills makes for leisurely walking, Sue and her friend Kate enjoy some time to catch up.
Always a welcome sight, after a few miles, pilgrims rest at the drinks car.
Although we start to get suspicious as to what is in the drink!
From south to north, we near the top of the island, but before that a stop in St Peter's Church, where we were welcomed by tea and freshly baked cakes.
And so, just round the corner...
...we leave the island across the bridge, for spectacular views of Portsmouth, and Spinnaker tower in the distance.
Conveniently enough, just across the bridge we find a pub, which, if pilgrims had followed the marked route, we stopped at for a quick drink.
The backmarkers being marginally ahead of time, used this margin also for a swift half.
And, no more than a 100 yards away, we found another.
At St Thomas Becket's were some Russian graves, one of which is bed to a Russian princess who fled the country during the revolution and lived her life on Hayling Island.
Jack's prayer stop on the 'salt of the earth': the joy of people of different denominations coming together in affirmation of acknowledging God as supreme being and to emulate the life of Jesus. Pilgrims should take this message to heart and welcome back into the fold Christians who have lapsed, and pilgrims and young people should be in the vanguard because they are the salt of the earth.
Into Emsworth - frontmarkers have had some fun!
Ruth's turning the world upsidedown.
We were invited to try some pottery next door - Sue made a pilgrim's scallop shell...
...and Maureen made a pilgrim - complete with cross and staff.
Today's Editor: Jonny Gamble (with help from his friends)