Day 7: Fordingbridge to Blandford Forum

The next day was an early start for a 25 miler. As ever, those who were reluctant to leave their beds were given a little encouragement.

That must have been soon after 6, as we were at St Mary & St Philip's for Mass at 7 a.m. (but was this the year were locked out?)

So it was back to the hall for breakfast, then across Cranborne Common to St Nicholas at Edmondsham

And then on to St Giles' at Wimborne St Giles, where the vicar met us.

With the church clock approaching 1 o'clock, it was time to hurry to lunch

Only half a mile away at the Bull Inn

Those, like Danny, who sat on the ground to eat were probably safest: after all the rain, the grass was quite soft. The legs of Julian's chair sank in, and he deposited his cream cake all over Debbie!

The next stretch took us over Gussage Hill to St Andrew's Church at Gussage St Andrews.

And from the church to the farmhouse for tea on the lawn!

Next stop, an hour later, was St Mary's, Chettle.

Then another 5 miles to St Peter's, Pimperne

Where Patrick tried to teach the Rector Bunnies

The Rector then walked with us

 

It was still another hour's walk to Blandford Forum, and the Corn Exchange which was our accommodation for the night.

(As I said above, I'm sure that we were unable to gain entry to the Catholic Church in Fordingbridge and, being the Solemnity of the Assumption, we were obliged to attend Mass. Late in the evening, we celebrated a very reflective Mass at Our Lady & St Cecilia, the first time I had heard "As I kneel before you")