Notes (updated Maundy Thursday): parts of the walk are currently quite muddy - stout boots or wellies will be the order of the day. Some particular points (checked over the past two days) are:
1) The path between Rendcomb and N Cerney is very muddy and rather slippery where it follows the Churn. Most is passable, though one section is extremely glutinous (welly-losing mud!). It can be bypassed, though this involves a short climb. Those who are less confident about their balance may wish to bring walking poles or might prefer to do the Rendcomb-N Cerney section by car.
2) Parts of the Lynch path along the Churn from Perrotts Brook to Baunton are also muddy, though generally quite passable. The water meadow between Trinity Mill and Baunton church, which with a short stretch of the A435 can be used to avoid the Lynch, currently has standing water some 8" deep in parts. You can get through fine with normal wellies, but with walking boots you will get wet feet.
Our annual Good Friday Pilgrimage around the churches in the Benefice takes place on 29 March. As in recent years, the walk will be in two parts: Keen walkers can start at Coberley at 9:00am to visit the churches in the Northern end of the Benefice. We will meet at Colesbourne church at 8:45am for travel to Coberley by car. This part of the walk will take in Coberley, Cowley, Elkstone and finish at Colesbourne. This will give us time to have some lunch and get to Rendcomb for the walk around the Southern end, starting at Rendcomb church at 1:00pm.
Approximate timings are as follows (these will depend on walkers' speed!)
Coberley 9:00, Cowley 9:45, Elkstone 10:45, Colesbourne 12:00
North Cerney 2:00, Bagendon 2:30, Baunton 3:30, finishing at Stratton at around 4:00 - 4:30pm.
As usual there will be a short meditation at each church. This year the meditations will focus on Jesus' prayer in John Chapter 17. For more details please contact Mark Venn.
Downloads. Note: hard copies of all handouts will be available during the walk
Pilgrimage Handout North (for Coberley, Cowley, Elkstone and Colesbourne)
Pilgrimage Handout South (for Rendcomb,North Cerney, Bagendon, Baunton and Stratton)
Scriptures for the meditations (John 17)
If you are intending to join us (for all or part of it), please let Mark know.
