Pilgrim's Walk for New Shirley Hall

2010-06-02T09:57:00.000Z

2010-05-29T12:15:00.005Z

Relief having just taken the ruc sac off for the last time, on arrival at All Saints church hall!

So here I am back at home having completed the walk yesterday - still to prepare my sermon for tomorrow morning!

Yesterday went well though the night before was pretty frightening. Having arrived at the hotel in Chartham at 10pm I collapsed in my hotel room and then after about 30 minutes suddenly started shaking uncontrollably. I understand from speaking to people yesterday that this is something to do with having exercised too much and suddenly being exposed to colder temperatures. Anyway - it was far from pleasant!

Friday went well. We set off at 9am from Chartham together with Paul's son and Andrew from the Baptist Church and made our way to Canterbury, stopping for a coffee next to the Cathedral. Paul and I went into the Cathedral at about 11am and spent some time praying and thanking God for a safe journey so far. It was a tremendous feeling to realise we had got there entirely on foot from Trafalgar Square.

Then there was the two hour walk along the Crab and Winkle way to Whitstable, arriving at 2pm where we were greeted by a number of folk from All Saints, the Baptist church, and All Saints preschool. Thank you to all of them for the cake, and refreshments.

Paul and I gave a brief talk about our walk and then after some time I retired here to the Vicarage where I have actually been very busy catching up on emails and work ever since.

A big thank you to all who have sponsored me - I have raised something like £2500 so far which with tax reclaimed will come to £3000.

Many thanks for reading this blog. May God bless you.
Simon

2010-05-27T20:02:00.002Z

I am currently dictating this down the phone at 9pm as today's journey has still not finished!
We left Harrietsham too late in the morning at 10.30, and didn't arrive at Charing until 1.15.
The weather was grim and the Pilgrims Way is very enclosed along that stretch which made it slightly monotonous.
Our lunch went on much too long - we left at 2.30 - very badly disciplined! I gave Paul the choice of 3 routes to Chartham and he opted, with me, for the longest which is the North Downs Way / Pilgrims Way via Eastwell Manor and Boughton Aluph.
We passed some remarkable scenery, being joined again by Cathy for some of the route, but did not arrive at Chilham until 7.30pm, having walked through a wood with many bluebells in it. Now continuing to Chartham at 9.15, with probably about half an hour left of walking.
Perhaps this is going beyond the call of duty!

2010-05-26T19:07:00.002Z

For Tuesday's description please see below.
Today is Wednesday and we have just walked from Aylesford to Harrietsham.The weather was a lot cooler and we decided to walk along the Pilgrims Way, as opposed to the North Downs Way. The Pilgrims Way is virtually flat and mainly on the road with some footpath so considerably easier than yesterday. Just thirteen miles today so a lot easier.
We stopped for lunch at Detling and were joined by Paul's wife and friend who brought us some sweet and tea and coffee in their campavan, having had a first course in the pub.
Then on to Thurnham, Hollingbourne and Harrietsham where we are now.

Very interestingly, as we left Hollinbourne, two cars full of youths drove past us down the muddy track. I then noticed that they had turned their cars round and were facing us as we walked towards them. I sensed danger.

I said to Paul, pray for protection. As we approached themm one of the youths got out of the car and said to Paul "were you taking photos of our cars". Paul said he was not and I knew that they may have been trying to get us into a fight. Paul told them we were on a pilgrimage and then the leader of the gang said "its ok" and we were more or less allowed to pass.

However, we were quite rattled. We decided to walk along the field, away from the path, because we thought they might try following us and we thought we would be hidden from them.

I then rang my wife Cathy, who was joining us on the walk, walking towards us from the opposite direction, from Harriestham.
She then rang us back to say there were loads of police cars around. We immediately put two and two together. We then came across two police cars and learned from them that a digger had been stolen. We had already spoken to a policeman on the phone about the youths who we think may have been acting as look outs.

Anyway, we continued and then another police car came up to us on the muddy track and the policeman this time looked quite accusatorily at us. I said "We didnt steal the digger" which may not have been a wise thing to say. Anyway, fortunately we were not arrested on suspicion of theft and apart from several more police cars going past us we managed to meet Cathy and had a good laugh about it. However, the encounter with the youths was quite frightening and I think the prayer did stop us from being attacked.

Now we are about to have supper at Pamela Cuerden's house who is putting up Paul whilst I go and stay with Cathy's Mum down in the village of harrietsham.

Tomorow we go on to Chartham. Our blisters are really bad now so it is very hard going.

Take care
Simon

2010-05-26T07:37:00.002Z

Yesterday Tuesday was a really hard day - walking from Farningham Road to Aylesford vis Meopham, and Snodland. Beautiful countryside but both Paul and I struggled with blisters and painful joints etc!
We were joined by Rev Tony Crowe who at 76 is a lot fitter than either of us and put us to shame with the pace he was wishing to set - we had to keep asking him to slow down.
Stimulating conversation. Again like four years ago the countryside between Meopham and Snodland was amazing - rolling hills with very few people around - lush green fields and trees and still some rape seed to bring colour.
We wont be able to put any photos on till the weekend as we are using guests computers and only have limited time at it. Sorry about that.
The last four miles yesterday (the walk yesterday was 20 miles) was very painful and ugly, walking through an industrial estate and I had to keep stopping as the shoulders were so painful. Crashed out at 8pm last night!
Today we are walking to Harrietsham - much less mileage but after two heavy days and with blisters it wont be easy.
Thanks for your comments everyone. I really appreciate them.
Sorry there are not more interesting incidents - there have been a few minor ones but time forbids me typing them here. Keep praying for us!

2010-05-24T21:28:00.001Z

UPDATE

Monday evening

Extremely shattered so a very short post. Staying with friends at Farningham Road,near Swanley.
Very painful shoulder and feet after walking in intense heat.
Very glad Rev Paul Wilson is accompanying me.

Looking forward to countryside tomorrow. Paul and I met Cathy's aunt at 10am and had coffee with her at St Martin in the Fields so didnt start walking till 10.30. We had lunch at Lewisham in an African cafe - very nice. THat was an easy part of the day.

Got to Sidcup about 4 and Swanley about 6 - stopping for drinks at both. Then last hour or so to Farningham was very hard going
Hope shoulder and feet not too bad tomorrow

I did enjoy seeing the inner city - very vibrant with so many different cultures. I know it well but have not walked through those areas for a long time.

Will try and post tomorrow if I can find access to a computer in Aylesford

Do post below to encourage me!
Simon

Walk from London to Whitstable via Canterbury

2010-02-27T18:35:00.000Z

Dear Web page visitor

My name is Rev Simon Tillotson and I am walking from London to Whitstable via Canterbury to raise money for the New Shirley Hall. This will house the preschool that meets on our grounds at All Saints Whitstable. For full details of this project visit http://www.newshirleyhall.blogspot.com/

Because of the danger of burglary at the Vicarage the exact dates of the walk are not posted here but they are available on request. It will be taking place in the early weeks of Summer 2010.

1) Monday Trafalgar Square to Swanley
2) Tuesday Swanley to Aylesford
3) Wednesday Aylesford to Harrietsham
4) Thursday Harrietsham to Chartham
5) Friday Chartham to Whitstable via Canterbury

I will be staying overnight at the various places, rather than taking public transport home each evening which would slightly undermine the project.

I estimate the entire walk will be 70 miles.

Please email me at tillotsons@googlemail.com if you would like to join me for part of the walk.

TO SPONSOR ME CLICK THIS LINK - THANK YOU SO MUCH!

http://www.sponsorformsonline.co.uk/walktowhitstable.asp

To return to Church Webpage visit
http://www.allsaintswhitstable.com/

Here are some pictures from a previous walk from London to Canterbury

Before you sponsor me, add some encouraging comments by clicking on the "comments" link below - thanks!