I anticipated that this slow- walk would be different than my other “recognized” pilgrimages. I know that English on the surface appears to be a secular nation. As a result, I realize that I won’t meet many people who are walking with “faith” motivations. No crowds of fellow pilgrims as on the French way to Santiago. No intensely personal post-Covid reasons as on the Portuguese way to Santiago. No observable and obvious faith whether Roman Catholic, Protestant, or some other, as on the Via Francigena to Rome. This walk is a delightfully solitary walk.

Furthermore, I find that there are few social “reinforcements” of this walk as a pilgrimage. No sensing an obvious faith kinship with another walker. No exquisite transporting into another realm when sitting in the Reims Cathedral or the Siena Cathedrals. No special pilgrim worship services or blessings either by priests or laypersons.

I do meet many, many, many people on my walk. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting hundreds of walkers. I cannot imagine a country whose citizens thrill at the prospects of a day, a weekend, or a “holiday” walk. The convenience of stepping outside one’s home, or traveling 4-5 hours to walk one of the UK’s wildest areas is irresistible. They walk as family; they walk as friends. Among these walkers, the appeal is exercise, companionship, and appreciation of the natural and cultural environment. Great reasons to walk!

Among these walkers though, I have not met more than 3-4 thru hikers. Walking to reach the ultimate destination of Poole, the official end of the South West Coast Path, in “one-go”, is neither realistic nor desired, by these fellow walkers.

Yet, different from my other pilgrimages, this walk is in England. Last I encountered, my fellow walkers and townspeople speak English! While I have honestly had some difficulties with this form of English, I find it wonderful to linger with people in a village. “Where do you go to get a good, inexpensive meal?” I can have a back-and-forth conversation with a fellow bus rider “Should I get off here or the next stop?” I’ve even had a brief argument with the front desk staff member of the Camelot Hotel. Because a very large and signed photo of the Trumps was above her, we had a short but vigorous debate about the desirability of his being re-elected.

Most memorable have been four conversations with locals, with people who belong on the way. In Tintagel, I notice a poster “Coffee and Community” outside the Methodist church. I pop in. Why not! I meet gregarious Jenny who introduces me to two walking buddies. They’ve walked the entire 640 miles of the South West Coast Path. They laugh when they admit that the walk took 11 years, but they are proud of their accomplishment.

While a very brief conversation, I meet a husband and wife at the Padstow parish church. “Come back at 2:30 for our special Stewardship of Creation service if you can.” They and others take seriously that we are meant to appreciate and share our environment, not destroy that environment.

I meet a vicar and council members at St. Columb Minor. Since he is soon leaving for a new church, he wants to help the church prepare and welcome a new vicar. One member kindly asks “Would you like some coffee?” Explaining that they are a “warm” church, they try to provide drink and space for the homeless.

Finally, I talk with Joel, Anna, Esther, and Nick who are four seminary students. When they hear that I’m walking the South West Coast Path, they excitedly tell me some of their favorite walks nearby. Their enthusiasm makes me more enthusiastic! Touchingly, before we separate, they have a prayer for my safety and encouragement as I walk.

I suspect that most of these folks have heard the words of that Ancient writer: “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.”

A different type of pilgrimage. A different set of primary motivations of fellow walkers. A wonderful set of conversations with local people, with people who belong on the way. What more could I ask?