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Pilgrims' Progress - Day 6
Published: on 16th June 2007 by Martin Chapman in Development Campaign News
Overnight the supporting mini bus had broken down and the back up team had to resort to private cars to get essential supplies to the walkers before they set off. If the weather of the previous day had made the going difficult it was to be worse today for the pilgrims awoke to a fully justified severe weather warning for the north of England.
The pilgrims supported by overnight hosts and walkers for the day, gathered in St Michael's Church Coxwold with its distinctive octagonal tower, unusual altar rail and the monuments to the Bellases of nearby Newburgh Priory, for the customary morning prayer and blessing, given today by the Revd. Jeremy Howat, a member of the York Minster Walking group.
The weather lived up to the dire forecast and the walkers made their way over a swollen stream and up to Beacon Ridge, skirting Husthwaite, in very heavy rain. The rain continued unabated to Oulston where members of the local church opened the Community Hall and very kindly supplied hot drinks. Taking advantage of the shelter at Oulston the walkers took an early lunch. Still no let up in the weather and with the ground becoming increasingly muddy underfoot and with stiles becoming evermore slippery the pilgrims made their way to Crayke passing the Castle which had, at one time , been a house of the Bishop of Durham and the Church in which the ladies of Crayke were preparing a (delightfully fragrant) flower festival. Hot coffee was taken at a road side stop and the rain eased slightly as the walkers made their way across the Stillington Road and onward to Huby, their destination for the night. Here the proprietor of the New Inn kindly opened his doors early to allow the pilgrims shelter and a warm drink before providing not only a most welcome supper but also very generous sponsorship of the pilgrims' appeal.
It was a day when rain penetrated the most waterproof clothing but the pilgrims pressed on undeterred appreciative encouraged by so many good friends made during the course of their journey.