Hamble to Wickham

Before my walk I just wanted to share more of the Priory Church in Hamble. 

It is quite a narrow church without side areas, except for the Chapel at the top of the church 

You can also clearly see the development of the church. In the front the arches are rounded (Romanesque) while further down the arches are pointed. 

The rounded arches are older often from around 1100 AD, while the pointed arches were a discovery of later as they are able to carry more way with less material. 

The history is that this church was originally part of a small monastery (priory) and the chapel was narrow as the monks would sit facing each other, like in a college chapel. Once the church became a proper church it was extended, hence the Gothic windows. 

Below is also a photo of the stairs to the bell tower. In the end I didn't go up. Half up I realised I had to down as well... And the stairs were a bit too open... 

These photos I took after sharing morning prayers with Revd Graham, also the host. It was good to this according to the traditional Anglican liturgy. Like a good breakfast it sets you up for the day! 

On the walk I first had to cross the Hamble with the foot ferry, which only goes when there are customers! 

After that a 7 mile walk along the Solent towards Titchfield Haven. Lots of oil imports, with ships like these :

After Titchfield Haven the route went inland alongside a canal through a nature reserve. The weather became better as well and less wind. 

I finally got to Titchfield (I was very tired at that stage) to meet my host as we were going to walk to Wickham together.

It turned out that due to a miscommunication, he was dropped off in Titchfield Haven, instead of Titchfield! So he had to walk an hour to catch me up. Which allowed me to have a nice lunch! 

Beyond Titchfield we visited Titchfield Abbey - another ruined monastery cum manor. 

And from there we had quite a pleasant walk to Wickham, where we were picked up to go home.

At that time we heard that Queen Elizabeth was very ill and later that day she passed away. Quite a different ending to our day. 

I am glad that she did not had to suffer long, but we will miss her. Not only was she the Queen; she was very open about her faith, especially at difficult times. And therefore an example and encouragement to us all. We pray for now King Charles and and the whole Royal Family, as they mourn the loss of mother and grandmother, as well as doing all the matters of state expected of the Royal Family. 

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The track recording stopped just before Titchfield, so the map is not accurate

 

Southampton to Hamble

After a nice break in which I could recover and also visit our family in the Netherlands, today is the first day of the 'Old Way' Pilgrims route from Southampton to Canterbury.

Ada dropped me of at Canterbury West for a smooth journey to Southampton.

I arrived around 11am and almost the first thing I encountered was a sharp rain shower. The weather of today was a bit like that, warm, windy and occasional showers! So I left my rain cover on my rucksack. 

The official route starts at St Mary's:

 

And there was a short walk from the station to there, pleasantly via various parks. Once I left there the route included various highlights from Southampton.

A lovely church was St Michael's, which was almost a Victoria shell built around a Norman tower. There were two ladies who welcomed 

me as well and told a bit about the church. 

 

I also came across Bernard Street! 

 

I didn't do all of the recommended sites: the route was quite confusing and I also wanted to get going as I had a late start.

So I left Southampton and crossed the Itchen to go east across a large road bridge 

And then through suburbs along side the Solent to Hamble

On the way I stopped at Netley Abbey, a ruined Cistercian monastery which is very extensive: 

And then I also visited the former Chapel of Royal Victoria Hospital, which was a huge military hospital mainly used in the 1st WW. It could threat 4,000 patients. 

 

It was quite impressive even though a little remained. 

On the floor of the museum was an OS map from the nineteen thirties ...

 

...which gives an impression of the original size of the hospital and the grounds. 

Now I am in the Priory Church of St Andrew the Apostle, in the hall. 

 

This is the first sanctuary church on the route. I was made very welcome and could join in with a men's social evening as well!

Tomorrow I hope to get more pictures and hope to climb the tower!

 

Eastleigh to Southampton

The last day of this leg of the St James' Way!

This is God's House Tower, the official end of the St James' Way pilgrimage:

 

But before I set off on the road my host took me to view Eastleigh Methodist Church. And although the building has some structural roof problems, it is modern and light, and I found it quite homely!

(this photo taken from there website) 

After that my host took me to the parking where I finished yesterday. A great thanks to both my hosts and their dog for the welcome, food and lodging. This bit of the journey I have found a real welcome everywhere, and I am grateful for it but also so thankful to all!

As three churches belong to the Winchester, Eastleigh and Romsey Methodist Circuit, there was a real continuity and I have found it interesting to see how the circuit is supporting each other. As a URC minister I found this a real strength!

The journey this time was maybe not as beautiful, as it passes a sewage plant, industrial sites, Southampton International Airport and alongside thr M27 before entering Southampton. At the same time the river Itchen flows through quite a few designated nature reserves, so nature and human activity live together and influence each other. 

But because it is not as beautiful also meant that the paths were a bit more difficult and more overgrown. I got quite skilled redirecting bramble branches with my walking pole! 

But that is also what pilgrimage is about: the journey continues even if it is not as beautiful or easy - just as life. 

But still God travels with us, whatever the circumstances. 

I took a little detour to see Southampton Airport, as otherwise I would have only heard it! 

M27:

I spent a lovely time resting at Mans Bridge where the river is not yet tidal but quite wide and slow. An Indian family was happy together swimming / standing in the water amongst other river users. I didn't want to take a picture though, but took this one instead:

After that the walk continued along the river through the park into the Southampton outskirts, where as the Itchen is now tidal it turned much wider. 

Then through some industrial and housing estates the journey ended in the city centre. It has quite some similarities with Canterbury, but larger. There are city walls and remains of towers. Old and new developments next to each other.

The last is a picture of God's House Tower, the official end. 

But after getting a pilgrimage stsmo there and something to eat I walked via the Quay and a new shopping centre (where I had a pizza) to the coach station.

 

I arrived at 11pm back at Canterbury!

I write this on the Sunday after. The blog will now pause until 7 September, when I start the Southampton to Canterbury journey!

See you then!