Tuesday 30th May - Many feet make light walking!

Greetings one and all! Today's update from Milton Keynes is written by Isobel and Matt, with Becky having earned a well earned rest!

After generous hospitality from two families in Northampton, we met in St Andrew's hospital at 8am. St Andrew's is a specialist mental health hospital run by a charity which works with the NHS to receive patients from across the whole country. The building and grounds are beautiful and include a grand old chapel where we met for morning prayers. Our short service included learning a catchy new song and 'Guide me oh thou great redeemer' belted out on the organ!

Soon we were ready for the off and began weaving south across the River Nene. It has been a great pleasure today to be joined by so many new pilgrims, our numbers doubled as we left Northampton behind. Dave has also been very grateful for the opportunity of a much-needed day off, with Hope Price ably providing 'mobile support' - her husband Geoff walking the whole 20.6 miles with us to Milton Keynes.

We paused several miles into our day to pray over a small church at Preston Deanery, where they are holding an outdoor Pentecost service tomorrow. After battling with several overgrown and sodden fields of oil seed rape (again!!!), we received a warm welcome at St James's Piddington. Several miles of good paths through the beautiful Salcey Forest, soon brought us over the M1 to the striking church of St James the Great in Hanslope for eagerly anticipated prayers..... and lunch.

Dave arrived at this point to whisk Gay off to a conference with the Oversees Missionary Fellowship over the next two days nearby. Unfortunately he also had to take Fred with him to A&E to get his feet treated (after several days of sore toes). Our numbers however were boosted, with several new additions to our band as we set off south across the fields. Geoff Price was the man of the hour as he slashed his way through several nettle beds to lead us safely south unscathed.

By four O'clock we had reached Great Linford on the north side of Milton Keynes, where we were greeted by an applause from a veritable crowd who had turned out to walk with us the rest of the way! Boosted by tea and cakes we set off along the Grand Union Canal once more, winding our way in a green corridor that ran between the many housing estates of the fast-growing town.

The canal brought us to within a stone's throw from the hospital, with several more ladies joining us in silent pray for the last 15 minutes. Guided once more by local experts we wove through the vast corridors to reach a packed and expectant chapel. Several minutes later the support team arrived with booklets and the St Mary's music group led us with inspiring worship. The service was lead by hospital chaplain Philip Wynn, with input from hospital staff, the pilgrims and from the Bishop of Buckingham. Geoff shone through again as he stepped up to lead the anointing and prayer ministry.

He and Hope will return to Banbury with Becky to give her two nights of rest and recovery as she has been unable to sleep well over the last 5 days.

After collecting a much-recovered Fred, the rest of the team jumped on board the van for the short drive to Christ the Vine church. A magnificent feast awaited us and we were warmly welcomed by local Christians. We then departed to our respective hosts for the night and look forward to continuing the journey tomorrow....!

Thank you to everyone who has joined us today and made the long walk such a pleasure. Thanks also to all who have been praying, we really feel God's presence and blessing upon us and couldn't do it without him.

Watch this space for pictures and tomorrow's travels.