I’ve been so lucky with the weather thus far. Another glorious day to be walking a pilgrimage.
For breakfast, I had a very filling Scrambled egg on toast. Proper thick bread, lavished with peppered fluffy eggs. By 0820h I was energised to hit road.
I called into St. Michael’s for the stamp and followed a single track road out of the village. Which was the only problem for the day. It was majority on tarmac.
The route joined the ‘Peddars Way’, a 74 km trail that follows the line of an ancient Roman road built about 2,000 years ago – walking with history.
I slowly made my way into South Pickenham to the church only to find it closed – no stamp. I rejoined the Peddars Way towards North Pickenham, calling at the tiny church of St. Mary’s collecting the stamp. It is renowned for old murals, however it was closed today.
At North Pickenham I had a break at St. Andrew’s – disappointed it was closed. I rested in the sunlit porch watching the sleepy village.
Back on the Peddars way, there was a short section where it went dirt track. If my legs could hug the ground they would’ve. Through trees and hedgerows I made my way to the A47 outside of Swaffham.
A quick game of frogger, I was back on a single track road heading to Gt. Palgrave. Then it turns towards South and Castle Acre. At this point my right leg was very unhappy. The tarmac and camber of the road were causing a lot of pain.
I switched to walk with the traffic, dangerous, but it bought some relief. Where possible I stuck to the middle of the road where it was flattest. I aimed for every mud pile in the road for cushioning – ironic considering I was avoiding the mud earlier in my trip.
The last 3km was agony, the temptation to skip South Acre was strong, but my dogged trait to keep to the path, made me stick to the route. Although no stamp at the church, it was unique with an elaborate font and a tomb to Sir Edward Barkham. A Lord Mayor of London in 1621.
It was a painful 1.5km into Castle Acre finishing at St. James’s church, complete with scallop shell stamp. Glad to reach my BnB for the night and beating the rain.
My journey is now in the late stages. Only 36km left to Walsingham, it’s going far too quick.
Stu's Camino 