Day 9: Wootton Bassett to Chippenham

Today's walk skirts RAF Lyneham - watch out for Hercules Transport Aircraft. We get splendid views of the M4, the Great Western Railway and parts of yesterday's walk, as we do the zag to yesterday's zig. We should arrive at the church whose hall we are staying in just in time for Evensong.

We cleared the church early so that our hosts could get in and use it for their Sunday service, then we celebrated Mass in the hall. Today's offertory gifts included Tineke's tail, being carried in relay in her absence.

After our spiritual refreshment, the van needed some water to keep it cool and to keep our luggage on the road.

We set out, leaving Wootton Bassett...

...across the fields.

John demonstrates limbo dancing Chenery-style under an electric fence!

Around the edge of the golf course.

At St Giles', Tockenham, this Roman statue has been built into the church wall.

Inside the church was welcoming...

...and Neville shared a reflection on the loss of his son.

Martyn has taken over van driving from Patrick.

On the road again.

Jacob's sheep were among todays livestock sightings.

A short, but slightly tricky descent.

Howard and Danny.

Althea leads the reflection on pride (or being put in your place) at St Mary the Virgin, Bradenstoke

The church were keen for a group photo for their magazine, so we took one inside...

...and one outside.

Lunch at The Cross Keys, Bradenstoke - just along from the church.

After lunch we headed to the ruins of Bradenstoke Abbey.

Several crosses were distributed, including Mary

Susan led the reflection

Most prayed...

...others slept off lunch...

...whilst Jonny snapped them from on high.

Off on the path again, a little slippery after the previous night's rain.

B found a friend.

We trace the perimeter of RAF Lyneham.

mud, mud, glorious mud...

Velcro gave out in the mud - Patrick applies an emegency replacement.

Dannie and Sarah wait for the rest of us.

Danny and Norma get their cups at the drink stop

...at St John the Baptist, Foxham.

More fence challenges.

Then the path obstructions were a-maize-ing. Explorer Chenery in Tilley hat...

Nev looks lost

Pat emerges without a shirt - we wish he wouldn't!

Jean befriends a saddleback pig.

New pilgrim accommodation?

Baby pig!

Through the puddles.

Church at Kellaways

The cupola and weather vane.

Leaving the church

Over Maud Heath's Causeway (built to allow the locals to cross the oft-flooded river valley to church).

Alongside the river - quiet now, but the debris in the trees above tells a tale of flooding.

Meld strides out.

St Andrew', Chippenham, for Evensong and our overnight stay.

In the evening, several pilgrims adjourned to a nearby pub where they had a karaoke evening - Dannie and B entertained the assembled pilgrims singing S Club's "Bring it all back".