There are always highs and lows on pilgrimages, and not always about the topography.
I was shattered yesterday, the whole day of walking in the mud had sapped my energy. Once I had my evening meal I was in bed by 1930h – out like a light.
When 0700h came round I was rejuvenated and ready to hit stage 4. Another murky and misty day but it added to the atmosphere.
Mostly country roads to ‘Ugley Green’ where there was a tricky muddy bit. I met a couple walking their friendly Golden Retriever Dog. They enquired about my journey and filled me in with some local history.
The next village along ‘Ugley’ has a women’s institute. It is the only one that is allowed to have the location after the “institute”. It’s not proper to have the “Ugley Women’s Institute”!
From there I made my way to ‘Widdington’ having a look around St. Mary’s church and collecting the stamp. From there, over fields led me to ‘Newport’ where I stopped at St. Mary’s church and ate my packed lunch.
A gentle walk to Wendens Ambo, past another St. Mary’s church – although this one is closed on weekdays. Then onwards to Saffron Walden following the Saffron Trail.
Through a park into the town centre and on to the – you guessed it – St. Mary’s church, the end point for this stage. I grabbed the stamp and headed to my BnB.
I took off my pack and realised my drone wasn’t attached. I went through my videos on my phone and the last point I could see it, was 3km back.
I retraced my path but no luck. Someone now has had a good day. It would have been a good story if I had lost it in a spectacular fashion; maybe a hawk attack or it got fried on a pylon, but no, it fell off my pack.
On pilgrimages sometimes things get lost, but the walk itself continues.
There is a lesson in there somewhere.
Stu's Camino 