We set out in sunshine. Just a few hundred yards down the road, we had to wait for several minutes at one of the few remaining level crossings where the gates are opened and closed manually.

We walked through pleasant countryside . . .

. . . and a plantation of Christmas trees . . .

. . . to St Christopher's Church.

Soon, the van arrived, complete with musical instruments and a flat tyre.

Our service was a co-celebrated Anglican/Roman Catholic eucharist. It followed the Anglican Common Worship order, with the Father David consecrating the elements for the Catholics and the lady vicar consecrating a separate chalice and paten for the non-Catholics.

It was a joyful and uplifting service.

Meanwhile, Fred had been busy fitting the spare tyre.

But he took a break, while stopping the tyre rolling away with his leg to send this message. It's significance is unknown except to Fred and, presumably, to Danny.

Much of today's walk was along the North Downs Way.

Our next prayer stop was in the ruins of St Mary's, Eastwell Park. John spoke to us focusing on today's theme of 'modesty' and relating this to his thoughts about wealth, hardship and what we should count as valuable in our lives.

Reflecting on these issues, we continued on our way.

Pilgrim Patrick Reeves denied ownership of this cottage and so, no, we couldn't pop in for a drink or a shower. (No showers until Rochester!)

The cottage actually stood beside the Pilgrims Way!

At our lunch pub, The Bowl, Rosemary and John admired the tasteful garden ornaments.

Others were more intrigued by the rotating, hexagonal pool table built into what would have been a fireplace.

In the afternoon, the more energetic pilgrims got ahead of schedule and caught up with the front-marking team. John decided the easiest way to hold pilgrims back was to simply sit on the footpath.

Today's service of evening prayer was at All Saints', Hollingbourne.

The vicar welcomed us and led our prayers.

Due to the length of the day, there was a second scheduled pub stop, just up the road from the church. Although today serving the function of The Pilgrim's Rest, it has been renamed since the pilgrimage last visited in 1976 and is now The Dirty Habit.

Although we have our orange route arrows to follow, it is sometimes interesting to look at a map and see where we actually are and, more importantly, how much further we have to go.

But whatever the distance and however high the hills, with glorious weather like today, it is certainly worth it, even if only to sit down and admire the glory of God's creation.

Today was our longest day this year, but all have safely made it to Detling. Probably all tired and with aching legs and some with blisters, but all still happy and now at 11.30, settling down to sleep - something which should come quite easily, however loud the snores.