DAY EIGHT Ludlow to Church Stretton

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Another day - and this time we set off in sunshine. But would this last through the day?

We all set off together and seemed to stick as a group for quite some way.

Although no rain was falling, there were still large puddles to be negotiated from all the recent rain.

Rosemary was ready dispensing drinks at our first church stop, St Peter's, Stanton Lacy.

Bill led the prayer stop on justice, using 'act justly, love tenderly, walk humbly' as his theme.

Our next stop was at St Michael and All Angels, Onibury, where the minister had prepared a short midday office service for us.

The church had an interesting interior.

Afterwards, we were generously refreshed with tea, coffee and cakes at their village hall.

On the way to lunch, we went through the Secret Hills Discovery Centre. Howard had a go at wood turning on a pedal-powered lathe.

There weren't any takers for trying the lute.

Lunch was at the Craven Arms Hotel.

We were joined by Alan Smith, from St Chad's, Lichfield, which we have visited on two previous pilgrimages, along with his daughter Catherine.

The lych gate at our next church, St Thomas', Halford, reminded us of an important message which links in well with our pilgrimage theme.

After a welcome by the minister, Terry gave us a thought-provoking talk on the theme of justice.

There was further walking through pleasant countryside.

The frontmarkers had decided to make life a little harder for the backmarkers retrieving the arrows.

There was a brook to cross. Some chose the bridge, but the more adventurous decided to try the ford: either in their boots . . .

. . . or barefooted.

We met a cat who decided to join us for a short way.

At St Margaret's, Acton Scot, we received a warm welcome from their minister and her son. She led us in a short act of worship and chatted afterwards.

Then we set off on the last leg of our journey.

Our final church of our day was at St Milburga's, in Church Stretton, where the church was almost bursting at the seams for their parish mass.

We were told about Milburga, who was a seventh century saint.

Afterwards, another fine spread of cakes in a marquee behind the church.

It was only a short walk from the church to Church Stretton School, our hall for the night, where Lauren's birthday was celebrated in the traditional manner.

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