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Rest day over, sing song over, web page posted, David's accident cleared up, got to bed about 2.30 a.m. Fast asleep, thinking of my dad's pilgrimage poem "It's four in the morning, the pilgrims are snoring, laid out on the floor of the gym..." Oh no, FIRE ALARM. AGAIN. Everybody out! This time we called the fire brigade - we had no means to silence the alarm, and the source was in an area we weren't using.
So, we all assembled outside (we're getting good at this); Pat took the register (we all stayed quiet and answered properly); pilgrims in various stages of undress huddled in what they could grab - it's colder here than in Henley, when the fresh air was a blessed relief. John unlocked the gates to allow the fire tenders in; lots of burly firemen; BUT NO FIRE.
Still couldn't silence the alarm. The fire brigade took over, and tracked down a key from the headmaster. Building clear, all back to bed. Only one hour sleep lost (if you could get off again).
One blessing - we didn't have to rise until 7.45, so there was a chance to get a bit more sleep, and today's walk was under 10 miles. So back to routine: pack (after a rest day - oh no), breakfast, load the van, and off to the Guild Church (on the corner of the site) for Holy Communion.
The minister, from nearby Holy Trinity, preached on the theme of "Wait and See".
Off to the riverbank, and alongside the canal...
and to St Gregory the Great, Stratford's Catholic Church, where Gillian led us in thoughtful prayer stop (why do we take our crosses off on the rest day?)
So, off again, climbing out of Stratford to the obelisk, and a prayer stop led by Peter Storrow, challenging us over who might step aside humbly for the sake of unity as Chad did 1300 years ago (weaving in Becket, which they'd seen last night at Stratford)..
Passing through Snitterfield Fruit Farm, Patrick found a machine carrying apples for cleaning, but thought it was a cider press!
So on to lunch at the Foxhunter at Snitterfield. Clare, now driving Frances, realised the advantages of HAVING to go to Tesco, and brought cream cakes for the support team. She obviously enjoyed her own!
From the Foxhunter to the Methodist Church opposite for prayers, and to sing Guide me O thou Great Jehovah.
At the parish church of St Mary, Langley, we were treated to flapjacks, prawn crackers and oranges as well as drinks, before going into this delightful little church for prayers.
Tineke led us in reflection on being one of the gang, drawing on the experience of her family in the loss of her father, and we ended with Abide With Me (and a few tears).
It may have been a short day's walk, but after last night it was still a relief to reach Henley-in-Arden High School. There were several pilgrims of old with us today, such as Danny and Julia
Fr Rob Taylorson
and Tony Brockman
We relaxed in the showers, then gathered outside for an Iona-style jubilee service.
And so, after a supper of fresh salmon and fresh fruit salad (Frances has been working hard!), this is today's report completed, and it's only 10.15.
Till tomorrow...