Our Pilgrims Progress on the Augustine Camino
In July 2019 Liz Garnett attended a pilgrimage workshop in Canterbury and was inspired by a talk given by Andrew Kelly who created the Augustine Camino along with his wife, Paula. Liz met up with Alexandra Le Rossignol a few days later and mentioned the idea of an art pilgrimage following the Augustine Camino. Both artists were inspired by the idea and, in mid August, met to prepare for the pilgrimage and discuss the collaboration with other local artists.
By the beginning of November, five other artists had joined Alexandra and Liz. These artists were: Fiona Taylor, Sonia McNally, Bay Lees, Marion Lynn and Caroline Hymers.
Stage 1 - 21 November 2019 - Rochester to Bluebell Hill - The seven aritsts set out on their pilgrimage. At Rochester Cathedral where they were blessed by Canon Precentor Matthew Rushton, before setting out on their journey. The weather was misty and cold.
Stage 2 - 12 December 2019 - Bluebell Hill to Aylesford Priory - Six of the aritsts continued the pilgrimage despite the wind and the rain. They remained cheerful.
By the end of the journey, the artists spent time exploring Aylesford Priory and Sonia sketched in one of the chapels.
Stage 3 - 9 January 2020 - Aylesford Priory to Boxley - Six artists headed off on the third stage of the pilgrimage.
At the church of St Peter and St Paul, Aylesford, the artists found a yew tree that could fit Sonia.
The last stretch of the walk took the artists underneath The Downs and through young vineyards. By this point the sky had started to darken.
Stage 4 - 23 January 2020 - Boxley to Hucking - Four of the artists set out from Boxley after Sonia had demonstrated dousing at Boxley church.
The artists were lucky enough to have Detling church opened for them by June, the churchwarden. Here we saw the four sided oak lectern which dates from 1340-50.
It was a flat, easy walk between Detling and Thurnham, after which there was some confusion over the direction of the footpath. Sonia McNally, Bay Lees, Marion Lynn and Liz Garnett arrived in Hucking an hour later than planned.
Stage 5 - 6 February 2020 - Hucking to Bredgar - Five of the artists set out from Hucking church on a bright and sunny day.
The artists were blessed with good weather and enjoyed the natural surroundings and birdsong.
Walking out of the woods and across the fields we met a man with an American Red Tailed Buzzard.
Stage 6 - 20 February 2020 - Bredgar to Doddington - Alex, Liz, Fiona and Marion braved the stormy weather.
At Bexon, the pilgrims came upon a pink medieval manor house. By the time they reached St Catherines church the heavens had opened. Marion read from the Bible to lift the artist's spirits.
Stage 7 - 5 March 2020 - Doddington to Painters Forstal - Seven intrepid pilgrims set out with one guest pilgrim, Kirsty McEwan and Peggy the dog.
It rained throughout the four hour walk but didn't dampen the spirits of the pilgrims. Water ran off fields in torrents and a number of pilgrims were soaked to the skin. The pilgrims dried off at Sonia's and celebrated her birthday.
Lockdown - 23 March 2020 to an as yet unknown date - Due to the coronavirus pandemic the pilgrims have had to pause their pilgrimage.
They are continuing to work on their art reflecting on the pilgrimage so far. They are also continuing to walk closer to home.
Our First Exhibtion as a Group - A Creative Pilgrimage - The Journey So Far - Chartham Vineyard Gallery, Chartham, Kent - as part of the Canterbury Festival
Stage 8 - 20 May 2021 - With the easing of lockdown we set out from Painters Forstal to Faversham.
The short walk took in Ospringe church, the Rosary Garden at St Jude's Shrine and St Mary of Charity church in Faversham.
Stage 9 - 27 May 2021 - A longer walk from Faversham to Chartham Hatch through beautiful countryside and past hop fields, apple orchards, fields of currant bushes and meadows of buttercups.
We stopped at the church of St Peter and St Paul at South Street, Boughton under Blean for lunch and a chance to take in the view.
Stage 10 - 3 June 2021 - A pleasant walk from Chartham Hatch through Canterbury to Stury.
It was a magical day with a walk up onto the Iron Age fort of Bigbury, the discovery of the Black Prince's well at Harbledown and a blessing at Canterbury Cathedral.
Stage 11 - 10 June 2021 - From Stury we headed to Fordwich where we enjoyed a tour of the church and the surprising discovery of pirate graves.
After Fordwich we headed across country through woodland to Littlebourne.
Stage 12 - 24 June 2021 - Only two pilgrims set out from Littlebourne on the 12th leg of our pilgrimage. Liz and Caroline enjoyed the smell of roses at Littlebourne before heading across the fields to Wickhambreaux.
At Wickhambreaux Caroline and Liz were met by Alex and her husband, Richard. Here they explored the village before the two pilgrims headed off across the fields towards Grove Ferry.
Stage 13 - 8 July 2021 - Liz, Fiona, Marion and Caroline set out from Grove Ferry for the 6.37 mile walk to Minster.
The weather was good and the pilgrims walked at a good speed, stopping from time to time to enjoy the view, visit the church at West Stourmouth and a picnic lunch at Plucks Gutter.
Stage 14 - 23 August 2021 - Six of the seven pilgrims set off from Minster with plans to meet up with Alex at the Viking Ship at Cliffs End. Bay slipped and fell just outside Minster but was determined to continue.
The pilgrims met Alex at the Viking Ship where they all enjoyed a picnic lunch. Sadly, Bay began to feel the effects of her fall and end ended her journey early. The pilgrims continued to St Augustine's where they were given a guided tour by Andrew Kelly, creator of the Augustine Camino.
