My first properly rainy day on either Camino path. It didn't bother me at all.
Emma left me off in Martyr Worthy in front of the church. Forgive the next photo. In an effort to satisfy a request for a "nice" photo of me next to a Camino marker (and dreading another selfie) I straddled a ditch in a nettle patch. My legs are still stinging. Be careful what you ask for!
The walk through the Worthys was pretty, green and without any human distraction.
King's Worthy Church
From King's Worthy to Bartholemew Hyde is a short walk through what feels like someone's back yard along the Itchen. The path comes into B-Hyde along the Nuns Stream, a part of the River Itchen.
My visit to the church there was deeply moving. As I went in through what I erroneously thought was the main entrance, I bumped the door into the exiting Vicar, Karen. She graciously showed me the church and explained its history in relation to that of Winchester, and directed me to visit the Hyde Abbey Garden. When I thanked her for her kindness, she blessed me and my journey.
My eyes and throat filled with Camino tears.
The Hyde Abbey Garden outlines the destroyed Abbey church in a flint border. Holly trees in cages mark where the pillars stood. The graves of King Alfred, his wife Easlwith and their son Edward the Elder, who were all buried in the Abbey, are commemorated by three blank slabs. It was a very moving place. My photos do not do it justice.
And into Winchester. The day's rain was in earnest by 11, but walking onto the High Street still gives me joy after 40 years. I did some shopping at Boots (love this place for some reason) and Marks and Spencer (super love). Walked up over the High Bridge with its weirs and Mill, lunch at the Bishop on the Bridge Pub, and checked into my B&B, the Penny Farthing House on Chesil Street.
Oh my. What a B&B. I have a huge, very vibrantly decorated bedroom with table for 4, sofa and two crystal chandeliers!
I iced, then set back out to explore. It's graduation weekend for Winchester University, which is doing three ceremonies a day for 4 days in Winchester Cathedral. I was not able to get my stamp because the Cathedral was closed for visitors. But this city, once the Capitol of England, has many charms. And water everywhere.
Emma dropped my pack off at 500,. Sad sniffly goodbye... they are off to the Bahamas. Clean clothes in hand, I had a quick turnaround before Heidi's friend James picked me up for the evening.
James brought a childhood friend with him. They grew up in the former Rhodesia. We went to a fantastic independent pub where we sat outdoors under cover, talking for hours over copious wine, beer and pizza.
The guys walked me home, where we continued the conversation over more wine at my table. Much merriment ensued.
All in all, a great day. Happy to be alive, well and in this beautiful place.
Who knew?
Which B and B is that Bettina? Would love to know!