Day 4 Rochester to Aylesford (Oct. 3, 2010)

After a hiatus of nearly a year we're off again. Took the train this morning to Rochester. Walked through the old Dickensian town (literally -- Dickens spent his early childhood in nearby Chatham and Rochester features in a number of his novels, particularly David Copperfield), past the cathedral and the splendid Castle. We took pictures of the latter for our grandsons.

Chaucer's pilgrims would have continued straight on from Rochester to Canterbury but the direct route they took, the old Roman Road, is now a major arterial road, the A2, so we headed south on the North Downs Way, which largely follows the old Pilgrim's Way from Winchester to Canterbury. Most famously the penitent King Henry II is said to have taken this southern route soon after the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral on December 29, 1107.

We were soon in the woods and walking was very pleasant until it started to rain. And how it rained! Took shelter at the Robin Hood pub for a very good lunch (with only an abstemious half pint for me) and then trudged on, passed Kit's Coty, a stone age burial mound from 2000 BC. Then down into Aylesford and the Carmelite priory there, our destination for the night.

The priory is very busy with visitors and has a remarkable history. It was the first foundation of the Carmelite Order in England in 1242 under its prior, St. Simon Stock. After the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII, it became a private dwelling -- until, in 1949, the Carmelites bought their old home back.

We were zonked -- and after only 7 or 8 miles. Went to bed without supper -- too tired to go out. How on earth are we going to handle the 20+ mile days we'll face in northern France?

This Carmelite prayer seems appropriate in conclusion:

We come to you, St. Simon Stock,
to ask for your help in our pilgrimage of faith.
Like you, we honour Mary, the Flower of Carmel,
and ask her patronage.
Obtain for us, through her intercession,
protection and guidance on our journey through life,
so that we may one day reach our home in heaven
and enjoy the blessings of God's peace.
Amen.