I arrived in the big smoke with no hassle on the eve of my Walsingham Camino. By midday I had dumped my bag off at the hostel and left, with one goal. Get the three London cathedral stamps for my passport and the stamp from St Magnus the Martyr. The starting point for the pilgrimage.
Southwark is opposite my digs, stamp collected. It is more of the traditional church style I like, no pomp, no “in your face gold leaf”. Just modest architecture.
A hop over London Bridge and I was at St. Magnus. I arrived as mass was finishing so I grabbed one of the priests before they disappeared for the stamp.
Then a short walk took me to St. Paul’s. Christopher Wrens imperial grandeur – and that it was. The huge dome depicting the life of St. Paul viewable up close from the whispering gallery.
Then on the stone gallery I was treated to panoramics of London. It was down into the crypt to see Horatio Nelson’s tomb. The man himself my local gets its name from.
Taking in the glorious sunshine, I made my way to the banks of the Thames, following it into Westminster. My final stamp of the day and completing my goal.
The Palace of Westminster clear on the banks gradually approached. I weaved through the crowds snapping selfies with the clock tower housing Big Ben.
Passed the Winston Churchill statue and up to Westminster Abbey. The national treasure, the seat where kings and queens are coronated – it’s tiny!
I expected something grand, it looks big on the TV! It was good to walk through the nave, see where the royalty had sat, witness the tombs of historical figures. Admire the portion set for the scientists – Newton, Darwin and Hawkings.
Objectives achieved I made my way back to borough market where my hostel is. Enjoyed happy hour and checked in.
Tomorrow my pilgrimage starts. Next stop Waltham Abbey.
Stu's Camino 