DAY NINE Church Stretton to Shrewsbury

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Today's leaders at breakfast - they look full of foreboding.

The front markers leave.

The pilgrims gather for the setting off instructions and prayers . . .

. . . and then depart . . .

. . . leaving behind them the back markers and those going by alternative transport.

We soon saw the big hill that we would have to conquer, the Long Mynd . . .

. . . but the way up was along the Carding Mill Valley which was very beautiful.

Eventually the track reached the top of the valley.

Then there was a hill top drinks stop . . .

. . . where Jonny . . .

. . . was flying a kite . . .

After spending a couple of hours at heights above 400m, we descended onto the Shropshire Plain.

We walked along a lane . . .

. . . to the lunch pub, the White Horse at Pulverbatch, and we were grateful to be ahead of schedule.

After an even longer lunch stop than the rest of us, the front markers reluctantly moved on.

It was a short walk to St Edith's Church.

In the church, John Lamb gave us his reflections on today's theme, healthcare, and then with Edit led us in a hymn. Edit was delighted to have found a St Edith's church. This design was on the front of the altar cloth:

We had to queue up to cross a stile.

The next prayer stop was the church of St Ruthen's in Longden . . .

. . . where Pat Donachie spoke about her time working in healthcare and Anna led us in a hymn.

We set off in a big huddle . . .

. . . and started going up a relatively gentle hill

At the Holy Trinity Church in Meole Brace on the outskirts of Shrewsbury, we gathered for Holy Communion.

We arrived early as planned in order to enjoy the magnificent feast of cakes which had been prepared for us

Some were moved to give thanks for the spread.

From the church it was less than a mile to the "hall", which in this case was Shrewsbury School. Jonny ensured that we did not miss the entrance.

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