Day 15: Ashburton to Buckfast Abbey & Celebration
We have an early start and a short, varied walk on our final approach to Buckfast. There is some road walking as we leave Ashburton to cross the River Dart at Holne Bridge. Then there are scenic views as we climb to the second highest point on this year's pilgrimage and our final descent takes us through Hembury Woods, briefly following the River Dart, and on to Buckfast Abbey We arrive just in time for one of the main events of the abbey's Millennium Year: the mass of the Feast of Dedication of the Abbey. It's ticket-only but we are invited and to the lunch too! So begins an afternoon and evening of celebration.
Pilgrimage Newsfeed - Day 15
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A breakfast scene John Chenery Original Tweet
Front markers on last day. Geoffrey Simmins
Leaving St Andrew's Church Hall, Ashburton John Chenery Original Tweet
River Dart at Holne Bridge. Maurice Hickman
Buckfast beckons Adilz, Fred (KWLWG)
Cheers! The last drinks stop before Buckfast Abbey. Thanks, Clare! Deirdre Original Tweet
River Dart near Buckfast Maurice Hickman
My fellow backmarkers Louise and Nick encounter dog walkers beside the River Dart John Chenery Original Tweet
Sarah taking a photo of the lovely wild cyclamen on the last stretch into Buckfast. Deirdre Original Tweet
Lawrence Doyle
A small breakaway group went the shortest way from Ashburton to Buckfast instead of the windy pilgrimage route we had chosen - so they arrived via the main entrance here unlike the main party. Lawrence Doyle
Pilgrimage - Salisbury Cathedral to Buckfast Lawrence Doyle
Stuart overwhelmed by buckfast Abbey Amazon Team UK
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We have arrived! John Chenery Original Tweet
Lawrence Doyle
Lawrence Doyle
Lawrence Doyle
Lawrence Doyle
Lawrence Doyle
Lawrence Doyle
Pilgrims gathering at the entrance to Buckfast Abbey for a formal arrival picture. Maurice Hickman
Pilgrimage - Salisbury Cathedral to Buckfast Lawrence Doyle
John Chenery Original Tweet
Gathering to process in to buckfast Abbey Adilz, Fred (KWLWG)
Processing in behind our banner, singing (unaccompanied as instruments would have been an unwanted encumbrance in the abbey). John Chenery Original Tweet
Gathering half an hour early in our seats for the big mass at 12 noon Lawrence Doyle
John taking photos of his dog Amazon Team UK
Lawrence Doyle
Jonty Dog is in Buckfast Abbey with for the abbey millennium celebration mass. John Chenery Original Tweet
We are in the lady chapel John Chenery Original Tweet
Lawrence Doyle
Lawrence Doyle
Lawrence Doyle
The Blessed Sacrament Chapel Lawrence Doyle
Lawrence Doyle
Lawrence Doyle
Lawrence Doyle
Stained glass window in the abbey Blessed Sacrament Chapel Maurice Hickman
Wonderful service: The new shall be greater than the old. Adilz, Fred (KWLWG)
Like the rest of the congregation, after mass we partook of a splendid buffet John Chenery Original Tweet
John Chenery Original Tweet
The abbot visiting us at our lunch. Maurice Hickman
Father Tony in conversation with the abbot Maurice Hickman
Abbot and Father Tony in happy mood. Maurice Hickman
Lawrence Doyle
Lawrence Doyle
John Chenery Original Tweet
Another monk is visiting. John Chenery Original Tweet
Geoffrey helping Sarah with her smartphone Amazon Team UK
At Buckfast we are staying in Grangehurst House which has small rooms with beds! View from my room. John Chenery Original Tweet
View from my room. Only the best Amazon Team UK
Pilgrim luxury! A bed at Buckfast after 2 weeks on the floor. Deirdre Original Tweet
Lawrence Doyle
Buckfast Abbey in the early evening. Maurice Hickman
The dream team of Deirdre, Ceri and Jim serving the Celebration Meal John Chenery Original Tweet
Starting to tuck into dessert John Chenery Original Tweet
Even on celebration night, pilgrim washing up must go on John Chenery Original Tweet
Louise leads "Mud Mud Glorious Mud" John Chenery Original Tweet
