Day 14: Amesbury to Salisbury

Another downland walk leads us via Old Sarum, the site of the original Salisbury Cathedral, to our destination city. We pass our hall on the way into the present day Cathedral (consecrated in 1258) but don't have time to stop, as we need to allow ample time to gather and process into the Cathedral for Evensong.

Our last walking day started in traditional stye - with Bernie (still in her sleeping bag at 07:30) being carried outside.

On our way, less than a mile to the Abbey Church of St Mary and St Melor, Amesbury, for our morning Eucharist.

We were made very welcome for a joint Eucharist.

First drink stop...

...where the Gamble brothers added a few arrows.

What goes up must come down - Joyce and Louise retrieve the lads' handiwork.

Marie and Catherine leave the drink stop with biscuits.

Anne, Helen and Ceri stride out on the track.

Julia and Douglas chat as they walk.

Prayer stop just before lunch - Geoff gives Jack another lecture on architecture.

The curate welcomes us to the church.

Bruce's prayer stop was interrupted by Howard "I'm a Kiwi" - a planned stunt.

They concluded with the Kiwi greeeting - the Hongi.

The church was interesting, and there was time to look around.

A medieval pieta.

A modern etched-glass window.

Walking through a picture postcard towards the pub.

Keith and his lady friends.

Neville clearly had too much and paid the price.

As for Catherine... she was nearly relocated to the car park.

The catering team were caught at lunch.

Ursula dropped in to visit with her son and grandchildren.

No, they're not pilgrims, muddy as it has been this last 2 weeks.

Striding over the downs.

The tail is in good hands.

A combine - at last the cereal crops are being harvested - and the first view of the spire of Salisbury Cathedral.

Angela and Fred discuss how combine harvesters work.

Just cut - now baled.

Michael retrieves an arrow from the silage bales.

Pam, Dave and Jim meet us at Old Sarum.

The Cathedral from Old Sarum.

Pilgrims await prayers at the old cathedral site.

Simon leads the reflection.

Filling the cathedral.

Jonny leaves in a hurry.

Descending from Old Sarum.

At Bemerton Heath we stopped at St Michael's - they clearly took part in the pilgrimage from Old Sarum to the Cathedral a few weeks ago.

The Grumpy Old Men hi-jack a wheel chair. Jack enjoyed a miraculous recovery and walked the rest of the day.

Pilgrims in the church.

Rev Simon catches us on camera before leading an excellent reflection - just right for the final mile.

Ann, Henriette and Althea leave St Michael's.

We picked up the instruments and walked down the main A36 from Bemerton into Salisbury ready to process the last half mile.

The procession works it way through the town...

...and into the Cathedral precincts.

We gather in front of the cathedral, still singing.

Musicians lead from the steps.

Canon Mark Bonney discusses detail with Peter.

Vergers Amanda and Andrew join to welcome us to the cathedral.

The west doors open and we process in. A great privilege as these doors normally stay firmly locked!

After choral evensong (led by Ex Collegio with Howell's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis) we had our own service of arrival in the trinity chapel at the east end of the cathedral. Peter makes the introductions.

Pilgrims lead prayer for the places and people on our route.

Candles were lit for each day.

Farewells were paid to pilgrims who will leave us before tomorrow night - Derek and Gill...

...Joyce and Michael.

Then a group photo in the cathedral.

Statue in the chapel.

View back down the nave.

Back at the hall Frances is hard at work preparing supper.

Monica prepares her bed.