Canary stage 3 – Stibbard to Walsingham (15km)
The start of June saw an augmented line up of Pheasants tackle the final stage of the Camino de Canary Pheasant with the addition of the irrepressible Creeky. Contrary to late rumours, Pheasant Bellamy was shipshape and ready for the walk along with Camino stalwarts Mario and Tom.
The Pheasants departed for Walsingham with the hope of a warmer welcome from the locals and more parking spaces than their previous outing. Once a car was deposited at the final destination, the team had a short drive back to the starting point at Stibbard and a welcome selection of pastries provided by Bellars.
Despite an unfulfilled threat of rain, the pheasants were soon on the road towards Fulmodeston, Croxton and Kettlestone. Discussion of various topics took place as Creeky received the full Camino sales pitch from the remaining group to prime him for the boundless joys ahead. It was during this period that Pheasant flora and fauna knowledge was put to the test as an erudite debate ensued while trying to identify a mysterious crop which had flummoxed the group. Despite protestations from Tom that the field was sown with rape, the others remained to be convinced with Creeky being particularly obdurate. Luckily Bellars came to the rescue having consulted the interweb and confirmed that Tom was for once correct.
Buoyed up by the heated debate the pheasants were soon brought down to earth as the route through Little and Great Snoring proved to be both long, straight and devoid of any shops (not counting the sad outlet with about five items that was closing down the following week). At this point the group took a detour to Houghton St Giles and the world famous Slipper Chapel to sample the cafe, toilets and gift shop (an old haunt from the previous Camino). This detour was nearly a step too far for the newcomer and his mood was not helped by the fact that hordes of other pilgrims from all walks of life had decided to visit on the same day.
Leaving all too briefly after coffee and no gifts the group took the final section along the old railway into Walsingham and the welcome sight of the Black Lion Inn. It only remained for the drivers to round up the cars and return to Walsingham for a well earned drink after 15km (3km more than advertised).
Thinking all the fun was over at this point, the group were soon questioning the terminology of the word “double” as it turned out Mario had booked cosy double beds for the group in order to stay within strict financial constraints. Luckily Tom spotted a Harry Potter-esque bed under the staircase option, avoiding sharing with Mario, leaving Bellars and Creeky to work out how best to get through the night.
After the shock of the sleeping arrangements the pheasants were left to enjoy the rest of the day taking in all the sights of Walsingham and a fulsome convivial evening of eating, exploring new locations (including a wine bar and farm shop) and an evening meal back at the Black Lion, though not before the team fathomed out what the strange “20 + C + M + B + 25” signs above every household door meant. It transpired that this is a traditional Epiphany blessing, with the letters representing the initials of the names of the Three Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. The letters also stand for the Latin phrase “Christus Mansionem Benedicat”, meaning “May Christ bless this house”. The plus signs represent the Cross and the numbers the current year.
This just left enough time to walk off the day’s food with a reflective and meditative stroll around the Walsingham Shrine. This was despite various improper tuneful interludes from Mario’s nether regions, for which the group was at least blessed to be in the open air.
It was to this serenade that the night ended and brought to a close the Camino de Canary Pheasant and the second Pheasant Camino.
