The guide book says it should be 8 miles from Merstham to the edge of Oxted. But it turned into 15. So very tired but lots of good things. It was a much prettier route along the ridge of the North Downs. Felt in the countryside though really close to the M25 and you could see the centre of London in places.
The walk started at a street in Merstham called Quality Street. JM Barrie wrote a play about it and then Mackintosh made a sweet selection. So here is where it started! These blogs are nothing if not educational!
Another fascinating thing was a diversion to visit a church at Chaldon which has a wall painting dating from around 1200 about heaven and hell. With limited literacy it was a way of telling stories from scripture with a stairway to heaven central but seemed a bit gory and not sure how biblical. It includes a drunk pilgrim…I may have had an odd half but not got that far! There is also a T a pilgrim carved into one of the pillars.
A highlight of today was to meet people along the way and chat. John-thanks for stopping on your bike on the long ride to Brighton, for being so enthusiastic and praying for me. And Adam, biking the North Downs Way may you have a great time and know Jesus has a great adventure for you.
Tomorrow is another 15 miles or so then it’s the end of this phase of walking. I just need the last spurt of energy. As won’t be back home until late next blog could be Monday. Thanks for all your interest and don’t forget those whose daily Pilgrimage is a huge challenge…
Adrian@60 