Women's pilgrimage - London to Canterbury, Days 2-4

Day 3 (continued). Everyone except Ali Pretty stopped at Sutton Valance (where I had considered making the sleep stop - should have perhaps..). By all accounts it had been a hard day's slog, mud everywhere with the added pressure of trying to place each foot and not slip over. There was a lovely story about maps - essential to the walking process. I was carrying them at the start of the day and given them to Ali when I was called away. During the course of the journey, one of the day walkers (Claire) had taken the maps and when they parted company she realised, while waiting at a bus stop, she still had them in her backpack. Ali was a couple of miles ahead and couldn't face going back so called Cathi Baker - still in the pub, to go and collect them from the bus stop. Claire had to leave the maps on the seat because she had to get on the bus. Thankfully no-one stole them, they were there waiting. 

Some family and partners joined the walkers resting up at The Dog & Bear, Lenham where I rejoined the group. Late into the night talk inevitably turned to death because my news had shocked through the group during the day, even though most didn't know Graeme. Kristin & I both were young when we experienced the loss of a parent, so entered the sea of loss at a young age. Others told their stories of loss, including another suicide. We also talked about how to make the most from the short life we have. The Dog & Bear was a lovely stop, a bit of luxury towards the end of the journey that was most welcome.

Day 4. The last push to Canterbury. Snow lightly covered the ground this morning as six of us left the B&B. It was bitterly cold. The wind chill felt about -3 and we braced it with determination. My overall planning was not as detailed as it should have been, due to illness and inexperience. I have learnt so much. This meant each days mileage had not been accurately plotted, I had factored in more road walking (to shorten the distances) than was desirable and we still had a destination to reach each day. Initially I had considered the walk taking 5 days but was worried no-one would be able to take that time from their lives. We are plagued by busyness. Full of optimism I hoped to 'make it up' each day - ground as well as plans. From Lenham, through the chill Ali told me a story that she wants to make into a film, a wonderful tale of women's adventure over generations. I hope she will. At Charing, 3 miles from Lenham, we could have continued on the North Downs Way - a circuitous route 20miles to Canturbury OR walk up the A252 to Chilham and cut about 8 miles off the journey. Family and Friends were joining us at Chartham at 3pm for the last stretch. With a sense of responsibility to meet them on time and need to lighten the day's load - five of us took the rather unattractive road walk and caught a lift for 4 miles. It felt like cheating but we'd lost all feeling in our toes and phone batteries due to the cold. (Thanks to Michael Wilcox for the lift, it was hugely appreciated). The indomitable Ali Pretty set off alone, determined to walk every step on the North Downs Way. Respect. From Chilham we walked past fisheries, swans feeding in rape fields and found our way to Chartham and the Articoke Inn in time for food before the last 3.5mile trek. It was wonderful to have Cathi Baker's kids join her and Joanna Mcloughlin rejoined us with her family - having started the journey at Westminister on Thursday. Funny how elastic time can be, that seemed a lifetime ago. The last few miles along the stour valley walk went easily enough. The wind blew freezing in our faces and we were delighted to finally reach the west gate and enter the city of Canterbury. Five of us that started, ended the walk. Kristin Fredricksson & Cathi Baker did almost all, I missed a day and star Ali Pretty walked every step. She arrived at the pub an hour later. Superwoman!