The finish…
My friend Terry joined me at Reading. We met at St James church where father John stamped my pilgrim passport and we discussed the connection between Santiago Reading and Marlow and the hand of St James. Next stop was along the River Loddon where there’s a view of Danesfield manor where the hand resided for some years in the 19th century.
We had an ice cream from the mobile ice cream man. I love a strawberry split! The sound of the ice cream van is so English. I knew I was home when I heard it and wanted my favourite ice cream. Nice to pass the horses being exercised. I used the water colours, then we had a visitor. A local resident, Mandy who came to chat about what I’ve been doing for the past two months. At Maidenhead United there was my friend Andy and my son Billy: “I’m proud of you dad." Brought a lump to my throat.
Together we pedalled the green way to Cookham and Holy Trinity Church where I began this adventure two months ago. “Careful Nick," I said to my priest, “your last prayer caused the chain to snap!" He gave a nice moment of Thanksgiving. Cheers!
Now let’s head to the pub….