Day 6: Verwood to Southbourne

This day’s walk follows a varied route, just outside the New Forest National Park. We enter Hamsphire as we leave Verwood at the start of a long morning, beginning with the Moors Valley Park where you can have a drink or ice cream in a miniature train station. The route then runs through part of the Pinewood Ringwood Forest before joining the Castleman Trailway, which follows the course of an old railway. We then join the Avon Valley waymarked path to Christchurch, calling at Sopley for lunch. We remain in the village for a service in the beautiful old church with close links with the Vietnamese Boat People. They left the parishioners a commemorative model of the type of boat that saved their lives. A short afternoon takes us to Christchurch Priory in time for Evensong after a speedy visit to a Ducking Stool and Stocks on the way. The final leg of the route includes a walk via Christchurch Quay and along the River Stour, which we cross by ferry, re-entering Dorset, before a climb uphill to St. Peter’s School.

After four days of walking, the fifth was going to be tough on many. But the van was packed and we were ready to go...

...after congregating for our leaving prayer of course.

Our first obstacle as an oversized puddle. Little did we know that his was a sign of bigger things to come.

Mary shows exactly how deep it was in the centre.

The opportunity for group photo presented itself when after catching the frontmarkers, we found a convenient place to sit down.

After walking through Moors Valley Country Park we found a miniature steam railway.

Tradition dictates that when trains appear in a photo, I should mention Julian & his love of trains. Done.

So on through Ringwood Forest, walking amoungst the tall pine trees...

...we soon enter Hampshire when crossing the River Avon on the Castleman Trailway.

Here you can see the pilgrims waiting to undergo border checks & taking refreshment at the same time.

Walking along the River Avon towards Christchurch the path began to get slightly wet...

...so with recent inclement weather, the inevitable happened and more puddles were discovered.

In a Baywatch-esque fashion, our leader Peter shows how to charge through the puddles.

Simon follows his leader, perhaps unwisely, and much drying out of boots was required by all.

Patrick discovered a puddle much larger than most, in fact some would suggest that it was infact a slightly swollen stream.

After clearing the soggy Avon Valley path, we proceded along the road towards our first prayer stop, passing an interesting Harvest display.

After the prayer stop at St. Paul's Church in Bisterne (sorry no pic), we proceeded through the forests again towards our lunch stop in Sopley.

After twelve miles in the morning stint, The Woolpack was swamped by many hungry & thristy pilgrims.

St. Michael & All Angel's Church in Sopley was host to our Eucharist after lunch.

Jonny & Godwin are shown here doing the service readings.

After leaving Sopley, the pilgrims walk through woods towards Christchurch.

There is even time for the more energetic pilgrims to display their acrobatic abilities.

Our trail finally takes us down again to the banks of the River Avon which we follow into Christchurch.

We arrive at Christchurch Priory in time for Evensong.

The service takes place in the Great Choir close to the High Altar of the priory.

After Evensong we walked around the Priory and down towards Christchurch Quay.

Walking en masse towards our river transport, the Priory can be seen in the near distance.

The Headland Queen would be our transport across the River Stour, shown here with her crew.

Th pilgrims queue up to board the Wick Ferry...

...although a few are left behind on the jetty. (A second journey was made... don't worry).

The river successfully crossed, the pilgrims again travel the final mile up to St. Peter's School in Southbourne en masse.

That's all for today, but we'll be back tomorrow (technology permitting) with news of our Rest Day Activities!

Todays Editor: Anthony Gamble