Happy Easter from Canterbury

[Hurry Krishna]

Canterbury, fascinating history, but the connection to pilgrimage is marginal. And what there is seems to be more about Becket’s bones than something looking outwards and across into Via Francigena. We start out tomorrow and here’s my blog musing over things before we begin the walk
<https://readingtheroad.com/2023/04/07/the-path-you-take-dateline-canterbury/>

I am always keen to get reactions and advice from fellow-walkers.

 

[Bradypus]

Canterbury, fascinating history, but the connection to pilgrimage is marginal. And what there is seems to be more about Becket’s bones than something looking outwards and across into Via Francigena.

Historically Canterbury's pilgrimage connection has been incoming - people travelling towards the cathedral and the shrine of the saint. It is the end point. The idea of it being a starting point for a journey to Rome or some other distant pilgrim centre is really a very modern one. Even the modern Via Francigena is based on the very sketchy record of an Archbishop's journey home to Canterbury but somehow it has been reversed in the modern mind!

PS. On my VF walk in 2015 I stayed at the abbey of Saint Maurice in Switzerland. Very near the halfway point. The recently retired abbot told me he had made two pilgrimages on foot from the abbey: once to Rome and once to Canterbury!

 

[timr]

@Hurry Krishna
Buon Cammino. Have a wonderful trip.
Five years ago I left Canterbury on 1st April (which was Easter Sunday) and was a little too early to reach the GSB on foot, although I made a strenuous effort. You will be on the cusp of being able to get there. But you will need to watch the weather closely...
Looking forward to following your trip.
Tim

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Will definitely be following your progress.
Bon route!