As pilgrims from the Friends of Southwark Cathedral approached Canterbury last September, some of them were beginning to ask “Where shall we go next?” Mike and Carolyn suggested Guildford; I voted for St Albans. Since I had already walked most of the St Albans Way following the Cathedral web site, and the short stages were suitable for winter walks, we decided to start by walking from Southwark to St Albans, and then follow up with to Guildford to Southwark.
Again, I was able to offer the walks I was leading to South Bank Ramblers, and this time they walked each stage before the Friends, beginning on Thursday January 5 outside London Bridge Station, which was closed because of strikes. The Friends walked the same section on Saturday January 21, beginning with a service of blessing at Southwark Cathedral and continuing along the Thames Path, through St James’s Park, Green Park and Hyde Park to Paddington, along Regent’s Canal and over Primrose Hill to Hampstead Heath Station.
Now the Ramblers have completed stage 2, and the Friends will be following on Saturday February 18. A highlight of this stage is the Grade I listed church of St Jude at Hampstead Garden Suburb, where we were warmed up with welcome cups of tea and coffee and explored the mural paintings before continuing on our way with a prayer and following the Dollis Valley Greenwalk.
emeritablog: life after work 