Embark on a modern-day pilgrimage from London to Canterbury, retracing Chaucer's tales. Join Dominic Frisby on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery. 🚶♂️✨ #Pilgrimage #Chaucer #CanterburyTales"
Nice account of the pilgrimage, especially what you had for dinner. It was good that Canterbury Cathedral took your journey so seriously and accorded the importance of it- no longer a common reaction. Thank you for sharing
A lovely piece. My internet’s so slow most of the pictures didn’t download, so o dear I will have to revisit. I did something similar a few years ago, a spur of the moment decision to cycle from my home in deepest Suffolk to visit my son in Brighton, by bike. No money but two weeks to kill. Each day I rang an old friend who was more or less en route and asked for a patch of carpet on which to unroll my sleeping bag (never did, always given a bed and a lovely meal) and no one ever turned me down - maybe they love me, maybe in the shock they couldn’t think of a reason / excuse to say no, maybe it was just a nice surprise. Lessons learned - fuel is essential, after day two (complete collapse somewhere near Harlow, only cured by massive input of biscuits and other junk from a fortunately nearby garage) I stopped after about 2 hour’s cycling and had a massive full English which kept me going for the rest of the day. Spent a lot of money in a very helpful bike shop in Muswell Hill on a new saddle (bum was agony), handlebar extensions (wrists were agony) and a new front tyre (old one was full of weird bulges and kept trying to throw me off). Funniest thing - every time I met other cyclists (lycra clad, gizmos everywhere, all looking very sweaty) they were incredibly unfriendly - not a smile or a wave, I was clearly letting the side down on my v unsexy bike and un-natty gear. A lovely day in Brighton with my son and his partner and then homeward bound. My penultimate day was over 80 miles through the Chilterns (they are not flat) to my ex, and then a final 50 odd miles home to Kettleburgh. And I woke up the next morning and all I wanted to do was cycle another 50 miles to anywhere. I didn’t. Perhaps I should have.
and yes, the chairs are hideous 😂 originally of course there would not have been anything (chairs or pews) and the whole interior would have been a riot of colour. I visited a fully restored Romanesque church near me (Chauvigny, east of Poitiers) and the effect was overwhelming - every surface covered in colour
Thank you Dominic. Enjoyed your account of your walk/pilgrimage...have been pondering doing something similar along St Peter's Way in Essex so your tale struck a chord. Often go rambling around the Essex country side and the development situation is somewhat similar. One minute you are in a lovely country area and then you come across this new development plunked down and looking like aliens have left it there!
weather app: try XC Weather. It works for me. I believe its a blend of data from multiple sources. I've heard tell it was put together by a small group of general aviation pilots.
Thanks Chris. There was one about Piers Plowman by History of English which I liked. The History Hit ones were crap, and the Melvyn Bragg In Our Time was ok.
I enjoyed reading your account of your pilgrimage. If you fancy making a habit of meandering in the countryside there are lots of fabulous places here in the Yorkshire Dales.
I walked the full length of Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland a few years ago. Built to keep the pesky Scots out there was always a fellow walker to chat to and share a flask of tea and butties with. Views are stunning and the huge English breakfast with brown sauce and steaming hot bottomless pot of tea was the best I'd ever had.
Thanks Elizabeth. Yes, I'd like to do Hadrian's Wall - I thought it was actually built to collect taxes! I don't know the Dales nearly well enough either ...
Great inspirational post Dominic, making me wonder when I’ll finally get off my backside and do something like that.
I’ve been interested in these kind of things (pilgrimages / walks) since reading ‘Pilgrim Snail’ by Ben Nimmo, I think it is, who walked from Canterbury to Santiago de Compostela following a pilgrim route through France, then over the Pyrenees to pick up the famous Camino along northern Spain.
It had a musical angle too as he took his trombone, playing as and when the opportunity presented itself along the way.
He also describes some fantastic places, Puy in France for one.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the pilgrimage, Dominic, and I am thrilled that you found my article useful! I loved seeing your photos and we walked at similar times, so the hedgerows are the same.
If you'd like to do another longer walk, I highly recommend the St Cuthbert's Way, which is definitely more remote in parts, and the crossing to Lindisfarne is a highlight.
Oh I am so glad you found this post or it found you. I must have read your article 50 times, as I tried to find my way. I listened to your podcast as well. Yes, I'd like to do St Cuthbert's Way next. I love that part of the world and all that Dark Age history, plus I have a Cuthbert Calculus tattoo!
I'm one of your subscribers, specifically around the investing things so I was already on your email list!
There's a few articles about the St Cuthbert's Way too on my Books and Travel site — definitely book accommodation on Lindisfarne first and work backwards. The island is magical after the tourists leave. Just let me know if you have any questions — and thanks again for all you share here.
Life affirming stuff Dominic, as inspirational as ever. Glad you didn't run into any of those scary characters that Chaucer described - The Wife of Bath I particularly recall from my school days as being 'gap-toothed', presumably from all those ex-husbands she had devoured.
Such an interesting account written in your usual delightful and insightful way. Sadly no pics received after day 3, except of the cathedral, perhaps appropriately?
Nice account of the pilgrimage, especially what you had for dinner. It was good that Canterbury Cathedral took your journey so seriously and accorded the importance of it- no longer a common reaction. Thank you for sharing
Thanks John. My manager doesn't like me disclosing what I ate.
A lovely piece. My internet’s so slow most of the pictures didn’t download, so o dear I will have to revisit. I did something similar a few years ago, a spur of the moment decision to cycle from my home in deepest Suffolk to visit my son in Brighton, by bike. No money but two weeks to kill. Each day I rang an old friend who was more or less en route and asked for a patch of carpet on which to unroll my sleeping bag (never did, always given a bed and a lovely meal) and no one ever turned me down - maybe they love me, maybe in the shock they couldn’t think of a reason / excuse to say no, maybe it was just a nice surprise. Lessons learned - fuel is essential, after day two (complete collapse somewhere near Harlow, only cured by massive input of biscuits and other junk from a fortunately nearby garage) I stopped after about 2 hour’s cycling and had a massive full English which kept me going for the rest of the day. Spent a lot of money in a very helpful bike shop in Muswell Hill on a new saddle (bum was agony), handlebar extensions (wrists were agony) and a new front tyre (old one was full of weird bulges and kept trying to throw me off). Funniest thing - every time I met other cyclists (lycra clad, gizmos everywhere, all looking very sweaty) they were incredibly unfriendly - not a smile or a wave, I was clearly letting the side down on my v unsexy bike and un-natty gear. A lovely day in Brighton with my son and his partner and then homeward bound. My penultimate day was over 80 miles through the Chilterns (they are not flat) to my ex, and then a final 50 odd miles home to Kettleburgh. And I woke up the next morning and all I wanted to do was cycle another 50 miles to anywhere. I didn’t. Perhaps I should have.
Thanks Dave. A great story! You should be able to see the pics on the site.. Love cycling too but you need fuel by golly
Yes, they’re coming up now. Looking forward to the awfulness of Peter’s Village 😂
and yes, the chairs are hideous 😂 originally of course there would not have been anything (chairs or pews) and the whole interior would have been a riot of colour. I visited a fully restored Romanesque church near me (Chauvigny, east of Poitiers) and the effect was overwhelming - every surface covered in colour
tried to paste a pic but we’re not allowed 😢
How interesting!
Thank you Dominic. Enjoyed your account of your walk/pilgrimage...have been pondering doing something similar along St Peter's Way in Essex so your tale struck a chord. Often go rambling around the Essex country side and the development situation is somewhat similar. One minute you are in a lovely country area and then you come across this new development plunked down and looking like aliens have left it there!
Such a wasted opportunity!
On a dull dreary day, that was an uplifting read. That’s inspiration for some adventures in the coming year.
Many thanks Malcolm
weather app: try XC Weather. It works for me. I believe its a blend of data from multiple sources. I've heard tell it was put together by a small group of general aviation pilots.
Thank you. That sounds promising!
Thanks Dominic, keep up the good work, financially, philosophically et al!
Thank you, sir
Lovely piece. Which podcasts do you recommend on the Peasants' Revolt?
Thanks Chris. There was one about Piers Plowman by History of English which I liked. The History Hit ones were crap, and the Melvyn Bragg In Our Time was ok.
Thanks Dominic. What a refreshing read.
Thanks Matthew
I enjoyed reading your account of your pilgrimage. If you fancy making a habit of meandering in the countryside there are lots of fabulous places here in the Yorkshire Dales.
I walked the full length of Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland a few years ago. Built to keep the pesky Scots out there was always a fellow walker to chat to and share a flask of tea and butties with. Views are stunning and the huge English breakfast with brown sauce and steaming hot bottomless pot of tea was the best I'd ever had.
Fabulous interesting people take hikes.
Thanks Elizabeth. Yes, I'd like to do Hadrian's Wall - I thought it was actually built to collect taxes! I don't know the Dales nearly well enough either ...
Great inspirational post Dominic, making me wonder when I’ll finally get off my backside and do something like that.
I’ve been interested in these kind of things (pilgrimages / walks) since reading ‘Pilgrim Snail’ by Ben Nimmo, I think it is, who walked from Canterbury to Santiago de Compostela following a pilgrim route through France, then over the Pyrenees to pick up the famous Camino along northern Spain.
It had a musical angle too as he took his trombone, playing as and when the opportunity presented itself along the way.
He also describes some fantastic places, Puy in France for one.
One of these days...
You need to think about it, then get up and go.
I shall bring my tuba on the next one
I'm so glad you enjoyed the pilgrimage, Dominic, and I am thrilled that you found my article useful! I loved seeing your photos and we walked at similar times, so the hedgerows are the same.
If you'd like to do another longer walk, I highly recommend the St Cuthbert's Way, which is definitely more remote in parts, and the crossing to Lindisfarne is a highlight.
Oh I am so glad you found this post or it found you. I must have read your article 50 times, as I tried to find my way. I listened to your podcast as well. Yes, I'd like to do St Cuthbert's Way next. I love that part of the world and all that Dark Age history, plus I have a Cuthbert Calculus tattoo!
I'm one of your subscribers, specifically around the investing things so I was already on your email list!
There's a few articles about the St Cuthbert's Way too on my Books and Travel site — definitely book accommodation on Lindisfarne first and work backwards. The island is magical after the tourists leave. Just let me know if you have any questions — and thanks again for all you share here.
Thanks Joanna - what a small world.
I will check all your articles. :)
Really enjoyed reading this - funny how, occasionally, the thing you need most, at the time you need it, presents itself.
In particular I enjoyed the line “I post a picture here in case Jeremy Hunt is reading.”, made me snort with laughter.
I’m now curious about “kisses”, so will look that up later this evening.
Thank you.
Many thanks BK
Life affirming stuff Dominic, as inspirational as ever. Glad you didn't run into any of those scary characters that Chaucer described - The Wife of Bath I particularly recall from my school days as being 'gap-toothed', presumably from all those ex-husbands she had devoured.
Haha. Thanks so much Robert
Interestingly, the pictures appear (for me) if you tap them. Maybe it’s a feature . . .
Such an interesting account written in your usual delightful and insightful way. Sadly no pics received after day 3, except of the cathedral, perhaps appropriately?
Well done on your achievement
Regards
I think emails might cut it off when posts are pic heavy, though you can read on the site, but may thanks for your kind words Colin