Winchester 2005 : The Holy Spirit'The Spirit of God, descending like a dove'
 
 

Day 9: Dorking to Guildford

 

A new morning dawned - looking dull, though the weather forecast was OK. Those who'd slept in the smaller hall were greeted by a very orderly line of boots as they arrived for breakfast.

Sadly for Howard, he had to say farewell to his boots, which had collapsed and caused his discomfort yesterday.

Soon we were on our way to St Joseph's, the Catholic parish church, where John and Louise worship. Pilgrims led the music, and participated in the penitential rite and offertory procession in our "house style".

Afterwards there was tea and coffee and a chance to greet more day pilgrims.

Grandad Peter had the honour of pushing his granddaughters for the morning whilst his grandsons and daughter walked.

We set out up the residential roads of Dorking with several day pilgrims swelling our numbers.

But we were soon into that wooded countryside that is so typical of "leafy Surrey".

There were even "chocolate box" scenes (and yes, the buggy got over the bridge).

For the climb that followed Peter needed reinforcements.

As the sun broke through the cloud, the shade was welcome, and the ever-changing light patterns created by leaves were entrancing.

We passed this monument to Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Winchester 1869-73, who was killed whilst out riding.

A concrete tunnel under the railway . . .

. . . took us into Gomshall and our lunch stop at the Compasses.

It was Lauren's birthday (she seems to manage one every pilgrimage!) and Patrick arranged the pyrotechnics on her profiteroles.

John felt the need for ANOTHER pint!

Some sat in the shade on the riverbank . . .

. . . but Patrick decided that Lauren's birthday warranted a closer encounter.

And so, back on our way, just a short stroll to St James' Church at Shere. (We missed a drink stop here as the parking was, if I may use the expression, Shere Hell.)

For our prayer stop, Howard reflected on today's theme of Kindness, identifying three types: spontaneous, planned and reactive. He then taught us a Maori greeting, Tenakoe, which is accompanied by touching noses and foreheads, as he and Hazel demonstrated.

Down by the river we found two pilgrims engaged in a mothers' meeting.

We headed on west, with views of Newlands Corner (with its usual hoards of visitors), until we reached the car park before St Martha's, where we gathered up, most enjoying the shade that was available at this level.

David saw a similar photo opportunity

Howard (omnipresent today) chatted to the O'Callaghan family, who'd joined us for the afternoon.

Then we were summoned to the church, and climbed en masse up the sandy track. Katherine seemed pleased to get her first sight of the church.

We gathered outside, admiring the view from this ancient pilgrim church.

Past pilgrim Pat was there to greet us, and to bring back memories of early pilgrimages.

Two curates from Christ Church, Guildford, led us in Holy Communion. The parallel was drawn between this church and our pilgrimage: you retreat from the world  up to St Martha's to be alone with God, but you have to go down into the world again, just as you leave normal life behind on the pilgrimage for two weeks. What is important is what we take back into our ordinary lives.

A short walk took us to Pewley Down, on the edge of Guildford . . .

. . . from where it was all downhill to St Joseph's RC Church and Hall, our residence for two nights.

Being the middle weekend and "close to home" for many pilgrims, we've had lots of visitors over the past two days, now leaving us again. It's been a joy to see so many people, from all the eras of our pilgrimage. And we've also learnt of several people following us via "Pilgrims Live" on the web. You are all in our prayers.

Why not send us a message of encouragement as we prepare for the final phase of our walk . . . mail the pilgrims.

 

Itinerary

 

0645 Rise

0715 Breakfast

0840 [0 miles] Depart: URC Hall, West Street, Dorking TQ164494

0900-1030 [0.7] RC Mass & Coffee, St Joseph's, Dorking TQ162486

1120 0 [2.6] A25 west of Westcott TQ134483

1245-1345 [6] Lunch: Compasses PH, Gomshall TQ084478

1415-1435 [7] Prayers: St James, Shere TQ074477

1505 [8.1] A248 TQ059482

1620-1705 [10.3] Anglican Comunion: St Martha's TQ028482

1740 [11.7] Pewley Down TQ007489

1800 [12.6] Arrive: St Josephs RC Church Hall, Guildford TQ000498

 
 
 

Walk Leader

 

Danny Thomas & Mark Hopper

 
 
 

Prayer Stop Theme

 

Kindness

 
 
 

Meditation: The Holy Spirit

 

‘He appoints’

Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.
-Acts 20:28
 
 

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