A Journey, a walked pilgrimage, creating a route from Oxford to Birmingham, through the Middle Lands and taken gently at a time of year when darkness inclines to close in on all.
It is an exploration of urban and rural landscapes, of places that figure large in the historic and present structure of Britain – the ‘heritage’ that all are encouraged to know and embrace.
The experience of following a direct trail between two important cities, provided an opportunity to experience land and people and for reflection on the revelations and discoveries that such a journey produces.
The interlopers were, at times, a focus for local activity and provided a means of developing their own approaches to the concept of pilgrimage.
The lack of daylight during late October/early November required each day to start early and finishing by 4 pm at the latest. The early arrival of darkness each day produces a walk of very different character to those conducted in the Spring of the year with, through the lack of daylight, a greater pressure on the walkers. The group carried its own equipment and used village and church halls & churches for overnight accommodation.
Dates and route:
27th October 2010:
Assemble Oxford
28th October
To Woodstock
29th
To Deddington
30th
To Wroxton
31st
To Ettington
1st November
To Stratford on Avon
2nd
To Henley in Arden
3rd
To Shirley
4th
To Birmingham
Inspirational Pathways 