We all love rest days – which are often also laundry days as we don’t carry many clothes. Maybe I don’t love them that much! Grateful that our house had a washing machine.
Off we go to do some exploring first with a stop at the Cathedral to get our pilgrim stamp and to seek out the KM 0 stone for the Via Francigena. Our pilgrim credentials also gets us free admission into the Cathedral, otherwise entrance tickets are 21 pounds each (about $35). Ouch. But they don’t get government funding and the Cathedral costs 30,000 pounds a day to maintain.
Canterbury used to be a walled city. We were a 15 minute walk from the Cathedral and had to pass through the West Gate.
Ken insisted I post this photo… against my better judgment. I am not sure why he is looking so smug!
The beginning of the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome. Begins at the head of the Church of England and ends at the very Catholic Vatican in Rome.
There is a pilgrim saying that in times of need “the Camino provides”. We’ve certainly been the beneficiaries of Camino angels – like Judith and Roy, or Christina who picked us up during a hail storm on the way into Sienna in Italy. Today we had the opportunity to be Camino angels ourselves. We asked a fellow pilgrim to take our photo (pilgrims recognize each other) and when he asked if we knew of a cheap pilgrim place or somewhere to put up his tent, I looked at Scott and Ken, they looked at me, and we offered him the couch in our rental house. Between avoiding the heavy rains and eating Scott’s homemade chicken pasta (he is such a good cook, if I do say so myself), i think Jean-Marc from Switzerland was a happy pilgrim.
The gentlem leading this group of school kids from south Korea lived in Edmonton for 18 months.
Some very strange chip, I mean, crisp flavors here. Ham and mustard??? No thanks.
Peter and I took a fascinating punt tour while Scott and Ken headed off to the Roman museum
Ken refused me the punt ride last time we were here so by golly I was going this time!
There was a hop harvest festival going on. Every square seemed to have “Morris” dancers. The tradition started in the 1500s. Costumes, lots of bells, rhythmic dancing and choreographed figures using socks and swords and stuff.
I don’t think I have to explain why this is one of Peter’s favourite shops.
Massive rain for a few minutes
Back to the house with our new pilgrim friend (sadly, i forgot to get a photo), with a stop at Sainsbury’s for the ingredients for Scott’s chef’s surprise.
VF Britannica Via Campaniensis Voie de Vezelay 2025 