Day Three!

At least two reasons to be cheerful today - first, today is the shortest walk of the week, and second, when I got up this morning, it was not raining for once.

In fact, I suppose there were three reasons to be cheerful, the third being that I had a relatively late start. Mum, dad, Bertie and Brae (canine companions for part of today) and I went up to Ashford Carbonell Church for morning prayer at 10.30 am, where we were met by Michael Poyntz, the treasurer. After morning prayer we walked back to the house and met up with Peter Dyke, the assistant organist of Hereford Cathedral and a good friend, who was joining me for today's leg.

So we set off at about 11 am and after a brisk walk with the sun shining down on us (what a relief!) we arrived at the Temeside Inn at Little Hereford at noon. Here we handed over the dogs to mum and dad, who had driven out to meet us, and had also brought with them Elliot Ashley, another Ashford Carbonell resident who was joining us for the second stage of today's walk.

A brief stroll through a couple of fields and we crossed the footbridge to Little Hereford Church,
where four members of the congregation, Mr and Mrs Sandall and Mr and Mrs Jenkins met us with coffee and biscuits (see left). As we approached the church a few drops of rain began falling but mercifully they soon stopped. Peter, Elliot and I ate our sandwiches in the porch and just before 1pm we set off again.
As we passed through Little Berrington we were relieved to see that the roadworks that almost brought a halt to our practice of this section had been completed.



We continued along the lane for a short while, then walked through the Frank P. Matthews nursery before proceeding through fields and woods and before too long we had arrived at our destination, Tenbury Wells Church, just as the church clock was striking two (though the photo to the left was taken as we were leaving an hour later).

Inside we were greeted once again by two members of the congregation, Mr & Mrs Picton. They can be seen here in front of the nave altar with mum and dad, Peter and Elliot. After more welcome tea, mum and dad took Peter and Elliot back to Ashford Carbonell, and I popped to the vicarage, where I am staying the night with Claire Lording, the Team Rector of the Tenbury Team Ministry.

So, what are my reflections at the end of day three? First, relief that the weather has improved! Also relief that I decided to have a short leg half-way through. At this half-way stage I am still thoroughly enjoying the adventure; my body still seems to be in good shape; and I can't wait for tomorrow (especially if it's dry again!).