The walk starts with an easy stroll out of Dorchester, passing the base of Maiden Castle, and into Martinstown for our first prayer stop. We then climb up to Hardy Monument on the South Dorset Ridgeway, the highest point on this year's pilgrimage, with spectacular views of Chesil Beach. It's then a steady descent into Portesham for lunch at the Kings Arms, a pilgrimage pub 3 times previously. After lunch, it's a short stroll along a former railway to Abbotsbury where we visit St Catherine's Chapel, a 14th Century place of pilgrimage and retreat for the monks of the nearby Benedictine monastery, Abbotsbury Abbey. From here, we drop down and follow a flat low-lying section of the coastal path for 7 miles to Burton Bradstock, before cutting inland and into Bridport.
Idea from America - boot gloves for a wet day Jim Brodie
Setting off from the spacious Dorford Centre, the home of Dorchester Baptist Church John Chenery
St Martin's, Martinstown John Chenery
Lawrence Doyle
Larry leads the prayer stop John Chenery
Lawrence Doyle
Crossing fields. Ron Millington
View looking forwards the Hardy Monument. Maurice Hickman
A gentle climb with gentle drizzle this morning John Chenery
Heading for the Hardy Monument John Chenery
Getting closer Lawrence Doyle
View from the top of the Hardy Monument. Maurice Hickman
Hardy’s Monument - not the “Tess of the d'Urbervilles†one, but the “Kiss me, Hardy†one Danny Thomas
Wildlife sighted at Hardy Monument this year. Deirdre
View of the drinks car from the top of the monument John Chenery
A closer view of the drinks car John Chenery
Leslie Winiarski A rhymed memento outside St Peter's church in Portesham. Enlarge before you read. PolishPilgrims
Piotr's exploring a phone box library in Portesham Leslie Winiarski PolishPilgrims
Floral display en route Danny Thomas
And this is what can happen when you don't have John driving the van for you!!! Patrick Reeve61
eating rolls outside DIY prayers in St Peter's Portesham John Chenery
The King's Arms, Portesham which was also a pilgrimage lunch pub on our previous Buckfast pilgrimages in 1980, 1982 and 1996 John Chenery
Leader Mike with frontmarkers Leszek and Geoffrey, and interloper Ed John Chenery
David, Mark and Louise on the pub patio. Ron Millington
DIY Prayer stop at St Peter, Portesham Maurice Hickman
St Peter, Portesham where some pilgrims ate their rolls. Maurice Hickman
Map of Portesham Village. In the early 20th Century the village had several pubs. Maurice Hickman
Approaching St Catherine's Chapel Maurice Hickman
Pilgrims arriving at St Catherine's Chapel Maurice Hickman
Pilgrims at St Catherine's Chapel Maurice Hickman
Inside St Catherine's Chapel Maurice Hickman
We by-passed St Peter's in Abbotsbury on the way to St Catherine's John Chenery
Pilgrims at St Catherine's Chapel. Ron Millington
Up to St Catherine's Chapel John Chenery
St. Catherine's Chapel Danny Thomas
View from inside St. Catherine's, Abbotsbury. Deirdre
Inside St Catherine's: the roof John Chenery
Inside St Catherine's: the floor John Chenery
Chesil Beach and on its nearside, The Fleet John Chenery
Drinks stop in a car park - Nurse Clare at Chesil Beach Ron Millington
A suprise on the next drink stop! PolishPilgrims
behind us Chesil Beach curls away to the Isle of Portland John Chenery
Ordeal by pebbles. Golden Cap in the distance. John Chenery
St Mary, Burton Bradstock John Chenery
On the way to Bridport. Deirdre
Sarnie Bashing John Chenery
Before our Vigil Mass which we organised in St Mary and St Catherine's Church, Bridport, after arriving at the hall. Ron Millington
At the end of mass. John Chenery
best drink of the day #tea Danny Thomas