After yesterday being a tough one emotionally, physically and spiritually today was much better. 18 miles but though very tired it was actually mostly very enjoyable. I know a lot of people prayed and that made a real difference. My feet have survived if not very fragrantly: I have a new respect for Jesus washing the disciples feet after a days walking.
This is St Martha’s on the Hill, a few miles from Guildford. Apparently you can see 11 counties from here, though probably not today. Quite a climb and very sandy. There aren’t many churches dedicated to Martha though she was very loved by Jesus.
I stopped for lunch at Shere in a 15th century pub. Great grub. Pretty village. For you allotment holders out there (you know who you are) they had nice allotments too. And the church yard had a little statue to Wesley quoting him “Do all the good you can; to whoever you can; whenever you can…etc”
I have climbed over more Stiles than I care to remember-sometimes really hard to raise the energy. And kissing gates that you can’t get packs through. But when you get to the top of a climb you sometimes get a great view.
Being a pilgrim is a funny thing. I ended the walk near Denbie’s vineyard outside Dorking. 3 and a half years ago I came there for a training run in preparation for doing a marathon in Lebanon. I could never have imagined that I would be retracing parts of the exact same route. Sometimes things come round again in a slightly different way for us to learn from them.
Ps After escaping Jane Austen yesterday there is a connection to Dorking. More tomorrow…!
Pps If the gentleman I met on the way reads this (I also chatted with a priest)-Jesus was more than just a good man; he didn’t really leave that as an option in the gospels. I owe him my life, my soul, my all.
Adrian@60 