TWO ISLAND PILGRIMAGE WALK - 64 MILES (Kent)

ABOUT THE WALK AND MY STORY -

I came about all this by accidentally being strongly internally motivated to go to the Isle of Thanet. I had a very strong inner voice urging me to walk the coastline from Margate after walking the Saxon Shore Way, which follows the former mainland when the Isle of Thanet was an island, and does not include the coast from Margate to Ramsgate. So I wanted to walk the island and discover its secrets and walk the coastline from Margate to Ramsgate & Pegwell Bay. This resulted in my new challenge walk - The Isle of Thanet Challenge - of 24 miles. A superb walk full of history. In fact | enjoyed the area so much I came back a week later and cycled around the “island”, following the 34 mile Viking Coastal Trail.

All this brought me to important early Christian sites, of Augustine landing at Pegwell Bay in 647AD to bring Christianity to southern England. as requested by the then Pope. A cross marks the spot where he gave his first mass and more importantly he became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. The Isle of Thanet has several interesting churches, notably the large church at Minster, which is one of the earliest foundations. There is a Nunnery close-by giving more credence to the spiritual nature of the area.

From my other pilgrimage walks I knew Canterbury well, and both
Faversham and Sittingbourne are on my pilgrimage walk from London to Canterbury. The Saxon Shore Way also brought me past the Isle of
Sheppey, which I already knew from walking around the island. On the highest point is Minster Abbey, another very early foundation and a former nunnery. It seemed natural to join all these special places together and create this early Christian pilgrimage in Kent of two islands and two Nunneries and Minsters.

So I set off in early February from Ramsgate, seeing The Grange built by the great church architect, W. Pugin and St. Augustine's National Shrine opposite. Then onto Pegwell Bay where the Vikings first landed in 449 AD. Next was Minster and its church and nunnery opposite - St. Mildred’s Priory. I pressed on to St. Nicholas Wade, on the former edge of the Isle of Thanet, where you “waded” across the channel fo the island. Then on past several fine churches and across the “Garden of England” to reach Canterbury Cathedral. I had walked there four times in as many months recently but found I couldn’t get in. Either it was closed or a barrier within me prevented me from entering despite pilgrims being admitted free:

But on this occasion, or was it finally the right time? I walked through the barrier and into the nave, just after 8am. There is a side chapel Holy Communion was taking place and I was invited to join and sat there beneath the list of Archbishops of Canterbury from the 7th Century to the present day. Afterwards I spoke to the Vicar, who saw I was a pilgrim and asked if I could look around. She said it is all yours and with no one about I had the whole cathedral to myself for half an hour! I visited St. Thomas Becket site of martyrdom and the site of his shrine. I felt deeply humble as I walked around the hallowed walls. I pressed on for the walk to Faver- sham and another stunning moment came as I reached St. Dunstan's church, as I left Canterbury. I have been here before but until then never realised that Sir Thomas More’s head is in a vault there. I wondered how
the day could get any better and later came to a fascinating secluded
church dedicated to St. Bartholomew.

Faversham is a place of pilgrimage with King Steven being buried here in St. Mary of Charity church, which is full historical features. In the town is St. Jude’s National Shrine. I pressed on the next day past strawberry beds and fruit trees on the route to Sittingbourne, coming to a delightful church dedicated to St. Giles. I had walked his pilgrimage route to his shrine in St. Gillies du Gard, in southern France the previous year; which in medieval times was the fourth major pilgrimage route in the world, after Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago de Compostela.

At Sittingbourne I rejoined the Saxon Shore Way and followed it out of the town along Milford Creek with views ahead of the Isle of Sheppey. I left the way at the Kingsferry Bridge and walked onto the island aiming for Furze Hill. Although only 42m. high the views are extensive and the Minster Abbey is not far away. Two hours later I reached the building and explored this holy site, before catching the regular bus to Sheerness and the train home.

What an amazing four days it had proved to be - mild weather, no rain, and an absolute wealth of pilgrimage destinations. I know I shall soon be back exploring more of this area and sites of ecclesiastical splendour. I hope, with your rucksack strapped to your back you will follow in my footsteps and learn and discover the places associated with early Christanity in Kent and beyond. May the sun shine all day, the ground soft against your feet, and may you travel in peace, with joy in your heart and enjoy every footstep you take.

A5 Guide. Wire bound and signed by John Merrill.

Pilgrim badge and signed certificate from Joh Merrill for successful pilgrims.

Pilrims/walg=fers added to my Walkers Roll of Honour page.