Fortunate to have sat with Tony & Julie and David and Gabrielle. \240Lively conversation and entertaining choosing items off the menu, several of which were ordered to split! \240Dessert as well, ending with a coffee or espresso. \240The routines evolved into wandering to the casino (I restrained meself and did not engage), where Tony and David paid off part of the cost of their respective Atlantic crossing.

The final night; diner, casino, and to bed before midnight. \240I dealt with orchestrating a luggage forward journey for my suit bag full of the QM2 wear; and repacking my pack — I threw away a few items but it’s still heavy.

This morning, a light breakfast and a couple of cups of tea, one on the deck where I greeted Nick, the gentleman who biked from Seattle to Massachusetts. \240 He was interested in the Via F..; He could be a friend.

Off the gangplank at 9:10; no customes agents; found my bag and delivered it to luggage forward. \240Just my pack now !! \240It’s heavy.

Gabriel and David arranged an Uber and let me share it to the train station. \240Coffee -Starbucks - with them and Tony & Julie who were right behind.

A train ticket from \240Southampton to Wimbledon(tennis finals happening) change for train to Vauxhall off to the tube across the street to St Pancras, off to train to Ashford, off to train to Canterbury. \240COULD NOT have done the trip absent the kind assistance with direction from the British crew!

Canterbury is a delight; with many (but not too many) visitors. \240The Via F. officially begins here at the pilgrim’s stone - km 0. \240 Attended “evening song” and received the pilgrim’s blessing afterwards, together with my new-found Italian friends who start the trek tomorrow as well. \240The blessing occurred around a lighted candle where StThomas Becket’s tomb was placed (until 1538 when Henry VIII shook things up and disposed of it) and where countless pilgrims have received a blessing, past and present.

I lit a candle at the alter of St Joseph in the much much smaller present day Catholics church down the cobblestone street a ways (where relics - bone chip / vestment shred take up residence). \240Which reminds me that our auto insurance payment is due!

In the for what it’s worth column: \240I’m learning some history as is my understanding that King Henry II created the “jury trial” in ol merry England’s developing common law. \240However, priests and clergy were subject to ecclesiast law, beyond the reach of the common law. \240Henry II appoints his former good buddy Thomas Becket (who was popular and had been serving in a political spot giving the King ulcers) as Archbishop of Canterbury to purportedly minimize his political influence. \240But Beckett kept it up nonetheless, culminating in the Henry II’s famous line: Who will rid me of this turbulent priest!? \240Knights interpreted the comment as a command and off came Beckett’s head with the sweep of the knights swords. \240Populous uproar, sainthood, pilgrimages, until Henry VIII fathered no heir, nor a spare …