The same boots being dipped in the sea, firstly on the north Scottish coast 1 May, then in the English Channel on 29 July, with 1129 miles (1807 km) of walking in between. Complete with a sense of accomplishment on undertaking significant personal challenge over those three months: drawing on my last blog entry, there's plenty to be thankful for during my pilgrimage between the NW and SE corners of Britain, which has taken me alongside lochs and mountains, through dales and fields, along many a road and footpath, through rural and urban landscapes alike.
Final steps
Ruth, one of the group of friends and colleagues I trained with at Sarum College, joined me for both days of walking, so there was plenty of conversation en route, time to reflect on the end of my journey and start to think about the next few weeks as I take some leave and then resume my day-to-day responsibilities at the end of August. Amidst the gathering of Anglican bishops from around the world for the Lambeth Conference, we managed to end Thursday with Evening Prayer in Canterbury Cathedral.
All of Friday's route was on the North Downs Way, which cuts across the South East of England, starting in Farnham in Surrey. West of Canterbury, it includes the Pilgrim’s Way, but the final section between Canterbury and Dover is also the beginning of a longer pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena - Road to Rome, so no surprise that the way-marking was very good throughout with little need to consult the map, not least when Stephen (who lives in Dover) joined us for the last few miles to lead into Dover and share some of his historical knowledge.
I'd originally planned to finish at the landmark of Dover Castle, but the thought of walking up a steep hill at the end of 20 or so miles in the heat seemed a bit daft!
So to the harbour, and the small pebble covered beach to finish the walk, dip my boots and then have a paddle to cool off my feet.
Time to stop, give thanks to God for all the safe journeying and enjoy the moment.
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