Day 10: Chippenham to Devizes

"A canal at either end and hills in the middle! We leave Chippenham and join the under-restoration Wilts and Berks Canal heading south. We then climb over the hills to drop into Bromham for lunch, before crossing flat market gardens and pastures via Rowde to join the Kennet and Avon at the foot of Caen Hill Locks. From here it’s uphill all the way to Devizes! Because of the distribution of potential lunch pubs, today’s Eucharist is after lunch in the impressive parish church of St Nicholas at Bromham."

Morning again, and to some it comes as a bit of a shock...

...although not as much of a shock as Fred got, when in thinking he was placing his wash kit on a shelf, he was actually dropping it behind a false wall.

Mud has to be gathered from every corner of the hall upon leaving, Theresa here making sure everything is clean and tidy.

As we gathered outside for setting off, we were met by the church warden, up to see us off.

Boots are donned, although after several days walking, the insides of boots can start to produce some offensive smells!!!

We were joined today by pilgrim from previous years, Nick Lamb.

His father, John, led us in prayer as we set off on todays walk.

And so, we leave the hospitality of St. Andrews. Pictured here are new pilgrims Michael and Joyce, all the way from America, who joined us last night and will be with us until the end of the walk.

Out through Chippenham...

...hiking poles at the ready.

A marginal incline resulted in good views back over out previous nights stop.

A well paved cycle route made for an easy first few miles. Sue volunteered to be todays carrier of Tineke's tail.

Althea's favourite walking surface puts her in good spirits, as she talks to John, who sadly is leaving us today with son Nick.

Today's day pilgrims include friends of Anne's, who walked with her for most of the morning.

With an energetic, youthful frontmarking team, much of the same is required at the tail end, however I wont stress too much on the youthful part, however energetic they are!

As seems to be the theme of this year, even the best laid paths involve mud and water.

Again some athleticism from the backmarkers.

Pilgrims deep in conversation as per usual.

After a good stretch, the oldies need to rest with a drink on the roadside before setting off up the hill.

A quiet road made a good surface for tackling todays major hill.

Jack here was pleased to reach the top, and welcomes the sight of uphill changing to downhill.

Another challenge for todays backmarkers, and these are very high arrows to climb up to.

Peter needed a helping hand to get these arrows, Douglas providing the push.

A quicker than expected walk resulted in arriving at the church 45 minutes early, so being locked out of the church, pilgrims rested on the wall...

...or off the wall.

With both flautists front marking today, a new recorder section has been set up to provide cover for when there are no flutes present at services. Helen, section leader, has obvious ordered some extra practise for these two.

After Michael McCabe's talk on origins of words from latin, in particular this years theme 'Magnificat', we set off again with the lunch stop as our destination.

Mike sets yet another challenge, they'll have their work cut out today at the back.

Along the way, a short muddy, wet patch, not much in comparison to what we have had, but for Simon, who only joined us last night, this is a fresh experience for this year.

And so, well into todays walk we reach the lunch pub in Bromham.

Rolls are eaten...

...and other food is ordered.

New pilgrims chat to experienced pilgrims.

Aidan found these tables ideal for group photos, so this is a good place to get lots of faces in.

Out of the pub and down the road to the church for our service, where we found the kneelers set up in an interesting fashion.

Pilgrims in full song...

...as are the recorders after their practise sessions, led just out of view by Helen.

Some interesting stiles led to amusing photos.

"Fling it here, fling it there!" A local farmer spreads muck on his fields, as pilgrims standing by get their share.

Pilgrims stop to converse with local cattle.

At St. Matthews, Rowde, we were welcomed with tea, coffee, biscuits and juice...

...and the vicar lead us in prayer.

We set off for the last stretch to Devizes, with Jack and Geoff setting the pace.

More fields as we leave the village of Rowde.

Again, the front markers jump into action with more challenging arrows, this time at the start of Caen Hill locks.

The flight looked very impressive in the afternoon sun.

A balancing act for the backmarkers to retrive all the arrows.

Front markers gather for a group photo.

Final challenge of the day, I'm sure the back markers will be relieved to see the school for tonight just around the corner.

So, rest day reached, just about in one piece. Even limited shower use is welcome at this stage, and I'm sure in pilgrim spirit everyone will get a chance to use them. With plenty of room in the school, people settle into a couple of nights rest, and a relaxing evening tops a nice few days walking.