Day 5: Sixpenny Handley to Verwood

Three days completed so we are probably getting tired, so it is a relief that today we have a lie-in until 7.30. and then the shortest day of the pilgrimage. In the morning we continue over another of the hills of the Cranborne Chase, descending into the village of Cranborne itself for lunch. Then a route through some woods leads us to Verwood, on the edge of the New Forest.

With the later rise came a more relaxed morning, as Joan is pictured enjoying breakfast in bed

It was only a brief walk through a play area to St Mary's, Sixpenny Handley, the first church of the day, for our Eucharistic Service

Further on into the countryside we met an alien waving to us as we walked by

We crossed a few wheat fields, and Mike, for reasons unknown, decided to climb up onto a stack of straw bales

First drink stop of the day and Patrick decided to try a stronger drink than usual

The effects of yesterdays weather was plain to see as Jack cools off his feet in a particularly large puddle

After three fairly hilly days, pilgrims were a bit happier to hear that this was the only hill of the day...

...and it wasn't long before we started to descend again

We met a few horses along the road into Cranborne...

...where we were to have lunch at the Sheaf of Arrows

The weather today wasn't sure what it was going to do, but pilgrims still risked sitting outside to eat their rolls

It was then only a short walk to St Mary & St Bartholomew's, Cranborne, for our first prayer stop...

...where Peter spoke about how precious human life is, and prayed for all of the unborn children

Briefly after the church we passed a place for the pilgrims to go for the injuries which may have occurred so far...

...unfortunately we didn't manage to meet up with Basil and Sybil

Back walking again and we crossed more fields, and more of those objects of which pilgrims wish never to see

Our final prayer stop of the day was at St Nicholas', Edmonsham, where Anne led a reflection on The Lord's Prayer, giving a direct translation in English, from Aramaic

Inside was a stain glass window, which at first glance, appeared to be worshipping that famous Irish beer

We then ended the prayer stop with the hymn, 'To Be a Pilgrim', led by Helen on the organ...

...and backed up by more pilgrims, enthusiastically singing along

The route passed through a farm where there were pens full of chickens, ducks, sheep and this stern looking ram

This sign seemed to describe the effect a pilgrim's nightmare had on us

We then reached the outskirts of Verwood, and crossed over a golf course, where some pilgrims stopped to pick blackberries..

...Mike, however, thought he would work on his swing

Knowing that the hall was near, pilgrims picked up the pace and were soon walking in a large group through the streets of Verwood

Before arriving at St Michael & All Angels' Parish Centre, Verwood, our hall for the night

Sorry for the delay of uploading this day, we've been having communication difficulties, but all will be sorted soon.

Todays Editor: Michael Gamble