Our last walking day - an early rise - the usual chaos in the hall...
But before too long it was transformed into a worship space and we celebrated our daily eucharist, as part of which we collected three nightlight candles to be lit at each of the DIY prayer stops this morning.
Most of the walkers headed off, but the back markers stayed to put the chairs away.
So we set out from Collingham War Memorial Hall
First stop was just a little way up the road, at the Methodist Church.
Here the first candle was lit, with a prayer for "Conversion of Myself" (today's theme is Conversion - no, not to natural gas or unleaded petrol).
Then we were on the road again, keen to run to time, passing a pub without stopping .
Jean strides out as we head into the fields
John and David deep in conversation.
Bernie leads the pilgrim train
And look here - Helen shows the other pilgrims a clean pair of heels.
After mixed weather for most of the pilgrimage, today looked perfect - the only cloud being man-made.
The women at the well drew water (and squash) for passing pilgrims
The front markers (all 7 of them) posed for a team photo
then we had a our first formal prayer stop at All Saints, North Scarle, where we were welcomed by George the vicar, who had recently made the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, and had nearly lost his toes in the process.
In the porch, the tiles were clearly dedicated to our drinks monitor.
Pilgrims approached up the church path
David found an orifice to peep through
And David's starting to influence my photos too...
Maureen led the reflection, marvelling at the faith of nun she met in India, who would trust everything to God's providence.
Then we were back on our way
but only as far as the old chapel, now the parish hall, where we were served tea and coffee
At the next church, All Saints, Eagle, we lit a candle for the Conversion of a Friend
before walking through the village in a long straggle
Next stop was St Peter's, Doddington, which was unfortunately closed
Jack and Fred take a grave view of things
The candles, for Converion of our Land, were reluctant to stay alight, but were tended by Ant.
Just before lunch, Ant was careful to follow the marked route.
The pub served drinks, but no food, and allowed us to bring our own food. Ola was eating something sweet again.
We filled the garden and pub
David felt the need to protect himself from the sun
Sarah and Peter were joined by Mandy and family
Then we crossed the road to the Methodist Church
Our hosts were pleased to have the church full
Jack led our final prayer stop of the pilgrimage, handing out pieces of a rock he had collected earlier on the pilgrimage, before finishing with "Glory, Glory, Alleluia!"
The road we then followed caused some to burst into song.
Then we walked along an old railway towards Lincoln.
Ant and I had to stop to tell the backmarkers that Maurice had deviated into the pub
The pilgrims passed by
We even saw a train for Jules
We started to get better and better views of the cathedral
Lincoln got closer - as did the only hill of the day
We climbed through the town
We then gathered together and processed to the Cathedral, singing
Under the gateway, into the cathedral close
The great west doors opened before us and we processed through into the nave
We went through to the choir stalls and settled down ready for Evensong. The front markers posed for another photo.
The choir led the worship
After Evensong we moved to St Hugh's Shrine, and prayed for each of the places we had visited on our route, lighting a candle for each day.
Stephen (led along by David) used the mirrror intended for viewing the ceiling to sandwich Patrick between two views of the east window.
Fr. David and Sue moved the candles to the shrine
Pilgrims fill the chapel
Patrick then led us (via a devious route - not quite via Skegness, but rather longer than the direct way) to the Pre-Prep department of Lincoln Minster Junior School.
So here we are, journey complete - celebrations tomorrow!