Day 14: Stamford to Peterborough
Today is a long day with an early start so that we can reach Peterborough in time for Evening Prayer. Those wanting a shorter walk can skip the first 4.5 miles by catching a bus to Barnack. We wander down through Stamford town centre to cross the River Welland then climb out of the town and go through the middle of Burghley Park, two weeks before its annual equestrian three day event takes place. Our two main prayer stops are at churches with splendid, ancient towers. Inside St John the Baptist in Barnack there is a sculpture of Christ in Majesty which may be 11th century, in which case it is the best-preserved Saxon sculpture in Britain, while St Kyneburgha in Castor is a grade-one listed building. Castor has Christian history going back to Roman times and St Kyneburgha established an abbey here in the 7th century. Her remains were later moved to Peterborough Cathedral where there is a side chapel dedicated to her. Accordingly Castor to Peterborough, which is just a short afternoon for us, is a recognised pilgrimage walking route in its own right, following a path alongside the River Nene. On arrival in Peterborough we attend the cathedral's evening prayer service but it takes place in St John the Baptist's Church as the cathedral is hosting an immersive exhibition "Monsters of the Deep". Following the service we process to the west door of the cathedral to mark reaching the end of the pilgrimage.
Pilgrimage Newsfeed - Day 14
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Trinity Methodist Church, Stamford
Pilgrims' breakfast Julian Glover
Fred & Betsy Susan Adilz
Stamford Methodist Susan Adilz
... and in the car park Susan Adilz
Waiting on the doorstep Susan Adilz
Aruna in her elegant cape Susan Adilz
Rev Simon under the hat! Susan Adilz
Out comes the recycling Susan Adilz
Bernie in Stamford Susan Adilz
With a long day ahead, we have to pass the churches of Stamford (this is St John the Baptist) Aidan Simons
View back to Stamford fred.adilz
Entering Burghley Park Aidan Simons
Cottesmore Leap on the Burghley eventing course Aidan Simons
We passed an old windmill Aidan Simons
St John the Baptist, Barnack
Barnack church Aidan Simons
Inside Barnack Church Aidan Simons
Viewing the possibly Saxon carving of Christ in Majesty (and if it is Saxon, then it is the best preserved Saxon sculpture in Great Britain) John Chenery
Barnack Church altar Aidan Simons
St Andrew, Ufford
Flock of Pilgrims, Ufford Julian Glover
Approaching Ufford fred.adilz
St Andrew's, Ufford Aidan Simons
Inside St Andrew's, Ufford Aidan Simons
St John the Baptist, Upton
St John the Baptist, Upton Aidan Simons
Inside St John the Baptist Upton Aidan Simons
Memorial in St John the Baptist Upton Aidan Simons
There's an elephant on the roof! Not to mention the hares. Cottages in Ailsworth. John Chenery
The Coffee House, Ailsworth
Ooh Delicious ! Mary Fuller
Lampshades, The Coffee House, Ailsworth Julian Glover
Time for Tea in Ailsworth/Castor! Gill Godber
Royal Oak, Castor
You have to wait a long time for a bus to come in Castor, but they give you things to keep you occupied while you wait John Chenery
Lunch at the Royal Oak John Chenery
The Royal Oak, Castor John Chenery
St Kyneburgha, Castor
St Kyneburgha's, Castor Aidan Simons
St Kyneburgha's church ceiling Aidan Simons
Pilgrims badge on holy water container St Kyneburgha's Church Caistor Francis O Sullivan
One of the ceramic stations of the cross at St Kyneburga, Castor Aidan Simons
St.Kyneburgha The fish symbol is very much in evidence here. Mary Fuller
Teddy bear in St Kyneburgha's Church Claire Glover
Midday Prayers at St Kyneburgha, Castor Susan Adilz
St Kyneburgha & bear Susan Adilz
Angel roof St Kyneburgha Castor. Angel roofs mainly found in East Anglia, and indeed this is in Cambridgeshire (strictly speaking, the unitary authority of Peterborough now) Francis O Sullivan
Roman Christian silver artefacts were found near Castor John Chenery
Nene Valley Way
River Nene boating Aidan Simons
Ferry Bridge, Nene Valley Way Julian Glover
Bridge over the river Nene near Peterborough Francis O Sullivan
Ship sculpture on the River Nene [Festival Boat by Sokari Douglas Camp. The artwork takes as its source the festival boats used ceremonially in the artist's native Nigeria.] Aidan Simons
Tony, a friend of Howard and Bruce, came to meet us at Orton Lock Aidan Simons
John leading the final leg into Peterborough Aidan Simons
Swanny river Catherine Rand
End of walking, well earned treat verymike
St John the Baptist, Peterborough
Peterborough Guildhall (sometimes known as Butter Cross) Aidan Simons
St John the Baptist, where we are celebrating cathedral evening prayer Aidan Simons
Pilgrims in the Lady Chapel at St John the Baptist Church, Peterborough, after evening prayer. Aidan Simons
Peterborough Cathedral
Approaching our destination Susan Adilz
Pilgrims traipse through the gateway into the Cathedral Close Aidan Simons
Susan Adilz
Arriving at the West Door of Peterborough Cathedral Christine Nussbaum
Over 900 years old Susan Adilz
Peterborough Cathedral Susan Adilz
John presents a pilgrim cross to Canon Tim Allen Jones, who presided at evensong and then led us to the cathedral. Aidan Simons
A rousing welcome Susan Adilz
Coordinator John, Louise & Chris at the west door. Susan Adilz
Pilgrims at the West Door of Peterborough Cathedral - we made it!! Aidan Simons
St Mary's, Peterborough
Stunning crucifix in St Mary's, where we are staying Aidan Simons
From Worcester’s ancient, hallowed ground, Where faith in every stone is found, We set our feet on paths unknown, A pilgrimage where seeds are sown. Through Heart of England’s verdant ways, We walked with prayer, our hearts ablaze, First t... Michael McCabe
