Day 11: Harbury to Warwick

The last day before the rest day, and a much shorter one to the previous two. We again follow the Centenary way for most of the morning, with only a detour to include the village of Offchurch. Our lunch stop is on the outskirts of Leamington Spa, in the Newbold Comyn Park, where there is a large Pub/Clubhouse and lots of room for Al Fresco lunch if the weather is nice. From here we make our way into the Beautiful spa town of Leamington for our main service, before following the canal and then the river to Warwick for the rest day. Our route in gives us a chance to spot the leisure centre, castle and the town centre.

We awoke to a damp morning, and backed the van right up to the door to load. When almost everyone was gone, Howard took the last of the rubbish out.

Andy takes down an arrow by the pub we frequented last night - and a road sign that hints of our destination.

Theresa and James led the reflection in Harbury Church.

The church exterior.

Nick and Roger talk to the builder working on the church fabric.

Then off across the wet fields.

But by Ufton it was dryer, and (the church being locked) Henriette gave her reflection al fresco.

Pilgrims gathered around Henriette.

On through farmland...

...along the Grand Union Canal (and an old railway track)

Joan was one of several pilgrims who fancied this cottage in Offchurch.

At the retreat centre next to the church we were given tea!

A chance to sit down - if you can get down.

One the centre staff checks we are OK.

A beautiful millennium window in the church. The inscription reads "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth."

Caroline, a Quaker, gave a reflection on the place of silence in our lives and in our worship.

Caroline and Bruce on the way to Leamington Spa.

Louise crosses a bridge in the middle of an equine cross country course.

A flock of geese fly overhead.

Pilgrims eat their own rolls in the park.

The backmarkers hand over an arrow stick to the front markers.

Leaving lunch, for a short walk...

..past the pump rooms of this spa town...

...to the Catholic Church.

Here we celebrated Mass...

...then left the church...

...for tea in their hall...

...complete with cakes and biscuits (given that they thought about 20 were coming they must have thought we had huge apetites!)

The Irish connection.

Through the parks...

... and along the riverside walk.

Frontmarkers have fun - on arrow pointed to another on the far side of the river which the back markers had to return to collect.

River bridges

Entering Warwick.

Sunshine means interesting shadows.

Anne reads a sign in the park.

The gateway to Warwick Castle.

Through the town centre...

... to our accommodation near the racecourse.

A human chain to unload the luggage.

Mike is the deputy cook as Alexe has gone on a mission.

Backmarkers remove the frontmarkers handiwork from some trees.

I said we were near the racecourse - so some pilgrims went to look over the fence.

One of the competitors being taken home.

At supper past pilgrim Geraldine turned up after duty at the races.