Well rested from our first rest day, we have an easy walk today to get us back into the swing of things. After leaving the Chiltern hills, today is largely flat, walking through the Cherwell Valley to our destination of Bicester. We set off north through Oxford city centre, and out of the city through Cutteslow Park, heading to Islip for lunch. After lunch, we make our way to the M40, which we cross for the first time as we follow it up towards Birmingham. After a stop in Wendlebury, we shortly find ourselves in the village of Langford on the outskirts of Bicester.
Our daily Eucharist was in the chapel of St Thomas More in the chaplaincy; Jonny and Kevin read.
Fr David talked about the Oxford Movement (and others) who insisted that Christianity had to be lived and faith without action was hollow.
Cora and Joan brought up their special gifts - Cora a feather she picked up on her first pilgrimage which reminds her of her pilgrim friends, Joan her eyemask and ear plugs which ensure she sleeps.
Ready for the off.
Our coordinator!
Into the heart of the city.
Pilgrims mingle with the locals and other visitors.
We passed the Radcliffe Camera
The museum.
An exhibition of the remains of the roots of felled rainforest trees (see here) outside the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
Through the University Parks...
...happy to be on the move again.
Paul and Julia on the streets of Oxford
Marie and Moira.
Anne vaults a gate.
Hazel and Jean.
Betsy enjoys an ice lolly at the stop in Cutteslow Park.
Maurice too.
Fr David had a coffee.
Off through the park again.
Out into the countryside.
Walking into Islip - pretty cottages (and some bigger houses).
Enjoying lunh in the garden of The Swan (a last minute change of plan!)
The back markers chatting with Alexe.
The chef emerges from the kitchen - the staff coped impressively with their unexpected invasion.
Leaving the Swan.
Round to St Nicholas' Church for prayers - the church has a beautiful new glass screen showing St Nicholas (the patron of the church) and St Edward the Confessor (who was born here).
The Rector welcomed us.
Simon reflected on the importance of ritual in our life and churches, and concluded with prayers given to him by his parishioners before he left.
Simon shared this prayer (among others):
Take time to think - it is the source of power;
Take time to play - it is the secret of perpetual youth;
Take time to read - it is the fountain of wisdom;
Take time to pray - it is the greatest power on earth;
Take time to love and be loved - it is a God-given privilege;
Take time to be friendly - it is the road to happiness;
Take time to laugh - it is the music of the soul;
Take time to give - it is too short a day to be selfish;
Take time to work - it is the price of success;
Take time to do charity - it is the key to heaven.
St Edward the Confessor.
We had to cross a minor railway (sorry, no trains Julian).
A deer dashed out in front of us.
Simon and Fred approach Wendlebury church.
Rosemary catches up on her reading in the church.
We were welcomed with tea!
Ceri gave a reflection based on her neice's first communion.
Off in the late afternoon sunshine.
Two Sues leaving Wendlebury.
Ann, Marie and Henriette.
Approaching the outskirts of Bicester.
And so, to our rather cosy hall in new village of Langford.