.

• day 01
• Monday, 27 August 2018
• Canterbury Cathedral to Shepherdswell
• 16 km today
• 16 km on Via Francigena to date

After Mass and being blessed as a pilgrim in the Crypt Chapel in Canterbury Cathedral, I set off at about 09h.

This is very late for me.  I prefer to be underway as close to sunrise as possible.  And in late August at Canterbury, that would be about 06h.  The distance to Dover is about 30 km - quite easily achieved for a normal day.  

With the late start, summer heat and (in 2018) almost no signage it is slow going.  Having to consult the map on my tablet adds to the pressure.  After 16 km I reach Shepherdswell.  The Co-Op show is helpful in directing me to a campsite on Coxhill about 2 km to the west.  After pitching my tent and a bit of a clean up, I head into the village centre at the top of a hill.  There is a pub and a church (not open when I arrive) and order a meal. A small group invites me to join them and after an hour or so I wander back to my tent.

And so to bed.