Day 1 of our Canterbury to Rome pilgrimage along the Via Francigena started at the great Cathedral again (after visiting Canterbury's very interesting Roman museum – which seemed appropriate).
Got our Pilgrim Passport (new one) stamped. Went inside the Cathedral for blessing. The duty chaplain, a very nice man, was Peter Rowe (a nice bit of serendipity -- Rowe is Wendy's mom's maiden name). He gave us a very Catholic blessing, commending our pilgrimage to the protection of Our Lady, in the chapel of Our Lady of the Undercroft in the crypt.
Then at 12:30 – after venerating relics of St. Thomas a Becket in the local Catholic church -- we were off, in the rain.
There was a steady light rain all day. Fields muddy. Yuck. And slippery. I rescued myself from a ski slide several times and but finally succumbed, fell down and got all muddy. Wendy didn't. She was generally tougher. My right leg is a traitor.
But it was good to be walking, and the scenery generally pleasant.
Into the village of Sheperdswell at dusk, about 10 miles from Canterbury. So, a rate of about 2 miles an hour. Good supper with a couple of pints at the Bell Inn. Then we trudged another ¾ mile in the dark (a little scary on a narrow lane between hedgerows) to Colret House B&B, our lodging for the evening. Tired!
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