Duly rested after the cross-country first phase of our pilgrimage, today we begin “Phase 2: The Coast”. And we cram in 2 ferries, beach walking, under-cliff, over-cliff, promenades, a stately home, a wreck site, a couple of coastal defences (including Henry VIII’s Hurst Castle from the water) and yacht harbours not to mention golf courses, streets of seaside bungalows, and mobile home parks. Perhaps surprisingly we have to divert inland to find a pub and a church for physical and spiritual refreshment. Please note that the sandy cliffs are suffering from erosion, so keep back from the edge. Our second ferry takes us across the Solent to Yarmouth, and the start of our coastal tour of the Isle of Wight.
Our day began at the beginning as it always does, with the usual kerfuffle of bag packing, breakfasting, collecting of belongings and of course the van packing.
Fr Richard led us in prayer and then we were on the road...
...whilst talking plentifully...
...and passing a cross on our way to...
...St Nicholas' Church at Hengistbury Head (well almost).
Here we had our mass and welcomed some new and other long standing pilgrims into our midst. Here we see Julian Farmer return and receive his cross after being delivered by his wife and daughter the previous day.
Meanwhile John awaited the return of the instruments to the midst of his van.
Finally we headed on our way along Hengistbury Head (which I remember fondly from a school geography trip in Year 8...)
As we went on towards our first ferry of the day we passed lots of heather which was very pretty and purple compared to the green and grey of everything else...
The frontmarkers, determined to keep the rest of the pack some way behind them, left Howard standing on the jetty waiting for the next ferry when they sailed off on their own.
At our first, and only, drink stop of the day at Highcliffe Castle we dived for the sandwich bag to sustain us...
...whilst others preferred a nice sit down.
Back down to the coast again and some more walking on the beach, the rain still persisting down!
Out at sea some wind and kite surfers enjoyed the rough seas and gale force wind.
Here Bridget and Dannie collect information on the local scenery. Or rather not so local, as one of the directions on the board told us that if we kept going in that direction, the first land we would hit would be Brazil.
We left the coast to the nearby town of Old Milton, where we found a long standing pilgrim Chris Bambrough, who is joining us for the rest of the walk, tucking into his lunch.
Today's leader Aidan, although still waiting for his food, looks quite content and pleased for himself with his pint!
A step next door to the church, where Tineke talked about a man for whom she originally started walking the pilgrimage. She passed around some postcards for pilgrims to sign, to send to him back in Holland.
Back on to the coast, where we followed the cliff for a couple of miles, to head towards Hurst Beach and Keyhaven next door.
Unfortunately, the tide was right in as the front markers walked the road to Keyhaven, and Ant's attempt at arrowing got his feet wet.
Being ahead of time has its drawbacks, one being standing in the rain for 50 minutes waiting for a ferry. Of course this can be rectified by finding the local hostelry.
And so, with the backmarkers keeping very good time, we set off on the ferry towards Yarmouth and the Isle of Wight, our home for the next 5 days. With everyone wanting to be under cover, it was very cosy on board.
We arrived in Yarmouth next to the car ferry, and some coats started to come off as amazingly, especially on the island, the rain ceased.
Just 4 miles around the coast was Totland...
...where just below Totland, in Colwell Bay, some swimmers were enjoying the company of a dolphin.
And, finally, up the hill to St. Saviours Primary, where lots of space, and separate dining quarters make a warm welcome after a very long day.
Today's editors: Jonny Gamble and Bridget Simons