Day 2: Evesham to Chipping Campden

We start our Pilgrimage this year heading out of the town of Evesham into the Cotswolds. We are split between two sleeping halls in Evesham, and spend the first part of the day toing and froing between the halls, the parish church and the abbey ruins. Finally emerging out of the town we cross the busy A46 bypass, then later in the day we twice cross another busy road, the A44. We head along the Vale of Evesham through Wickhamford to Childswickham for our lunch stop at The Childswickham Inn. In the afternoon we visit St Peter's Church, Willersey, where the central crossing is thought to be a copy of that long since demolished at Evesham Abbey. Then we trundle along the lower slopes, taking in another church, before a steep climb to the top of the Cotswold escarpment. Chipping Campden sits in a valley on the other side of the ridge, so it's downhill at the end. Again we are staying in two halls.

Evesham is named after the swineherd Eoves who had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This monument in the market place records the event.

Bernie beautifies her legs for their outing.

First morning for packing the van - and Peter is looking vacant as Mike shouts instructions from deep within the loadspace.

For the first time, Julia is caught doing something sensible in one of my photos!

Mark's being useful in the loading / unloading roles.

We gather for our "setting out" prayers beneath the Clement Lichfield tower - the old gateway / bell tower of Evesham Abbey...

...but we had competition from the bellringers, who had been joined by Rosemary.

Mary and Pat did their best - and the bells went silent.

Time for a stroll around the Abbey Gardens.

Back up to the tower...

...and to All Saints for Holy Communion.

After the Eucharist followed by coffee we were at last on the road - crossing the River Avon.

First challenge - crossing the Evesham bypass...Godwin waits patiently...

...but Anne is in a hurry.

The little ponies play football.

There are lots of horses around here - few as cute as this little punk though.

Pat looks up at last year's flood level.

Monica and Rosemary welcome us at the first drink stop at St John the Baptist's, Wickhamford.

The church in glowing Cotswold stone.

Louise led the reflection - singing a solo extract from Rutter's Magnificat.

There were some grand effigies on the tombs of the patrons of the church...

..with animals at ther feet.

Praying sheep.

Approaching lunch - the sun's still shining.

...so at the pub John fights with an umbrella.

Frances gets her dessert, and Peter helps - himself.

Somethings grabbed the ladies' attention.

It's that way!

Impressive artichoke flowers.

A downhill stretch offers extended views.

Angela took a professional interest in the cattle...

...but we liked the little babies!

The cheese was nice too.

Look! I can stick my tongue right up my nose!

The view ahead - the closer church is St Peter's, Willersey; the further is at Saintbury but we don't stop there

A none-too-active gardener in Willersey.

Maurice led the reflection at St Lawrence's...

...concluding with the Magnificat from our little cards.

Father, Son and Spirit in the window.

A tricky encounter with real pilgrimage mud - the stuff of legend.

Pat decides to bypass the queue and is soon knee deep in the brown stuff, completely trapped.

A rescue mission was launched - Mary behind, Aid in front. We had to dig a hole around Pat's leg, cut her laces away with a penknife, get Pat free, then retrieve the boots. Then we had to get to dry land ourselves.

You're not coming in the car in that state!

St James', Weston sub Edge, where some of us stayed out of the church because of our unclean state.

Up and over Dovers Hill - and an arrow tree to really cheese off the Kiwi backmarkers in the rain!

St Catherine's Catholic Church as we enter Chipping Campden.

The old market place.

Time for a cuppa!

Dinner time - Neville in the lead as usual!

Epilogue on the mud: a local couple, Arthur and Rachel, saw our arrows as they took a Sunday afternoon stroll and followed them out of curiosity. Reaching the hall they chatted to Mike and Clare, and Pat's plight was mentioned. They offered the use of their showers - but a hosedown in their outside sink was necessary first. Aid and Pat really appreciated this great generosity - would you let two really smelly, dirty pilgrims into your home? They did!