Debbie finished her pilgrimage from London Bridge to Walsingham last Friday. She absolutely loved the whole experience; the beautiful countryside, magnificent priory ruins, lovely churches, interesting people and being at peace with herself and the world as she walked alone or with others.
She completed 188 miles, a little longer than the official 178 miles (Andy Bull’s London to Walsingham Camino) as she sometimes stayed overnight a little off the route. The weather was glorious until the very last day when there were a few showers. She says she felt very blessed!
A fun little activity was doing 5.5miles of the route along the Little Ouse on stand-up-paddle boards with her sister-in-law! Other images shown here are of the start point at St Magnus the Martyr near London Bridge, a rest stop outside All Saints, South Pickenham, St James the Great Castle Acre and the choir pew ends inside, and the end point at the Anglian Shrine at Walsingham.
After finishing at Walsingham, she returned to Castle Acre where a few friends and relations joined Debbie and her brother for a simple blessing of their parents’ gravestone at St James the Great.
Debbie is incredibly grateful for the sponsorship money raised so far in memory of her parents Derek and Phyllis Thackray.
Debbie says that what has stood out in particular is how much additional community use is being achieved in most churches. In one, a playgroup was about to start, supporting not only the children but also grandparents, parents and other carers. In another, a coffee morning for seniors was being held. And always there were notices of community events posted in the porch or at the back of the church.
She also said that each time she went to turn the handle on an ancient wooden church door, there was a thrill when it was actually unlocked. She felt so grateful as she descended over the threshold into a cool and quiet place of calm. A big thank you to all those that open and close their churches each day – pilgrims and visitors are so delighted to enter.
And she added “So next time you visit a church, leave a little time to slowly walk around it and examine all the nooks and crannies, the delightful carved pew ends, the hand-sewn kneelers, the hidden stairways, the moving tributes, the brasses on the floors, the stories in the stained glass windows. And make a little contribution to the church’s upkeep for future generations”.
Thank you to Debbie for her efforts on behalf on the Norfolk Churches Trust and St James, you can still support her by cutting and pasting the link to her Just Giving page: – https://www.justgiving.com/page/debbie-thackray-murphy
