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00:01The spectacular landscapes of North East England.
00:05Oh my God, look at this view!
00:08A cradle of English Christianity,
00:11from where a new faith spread throughout England and beyond.
00:16As soon as you see that cross, you know you're in good hands.
00:19It's here that seven celebrities are forging their very own pilgrimage.
00:24Wow, look at this!
00:27Among them, a pilgrim with a strong Christian faith.
00:31We do have a path that I believe God intends for us,
00:36and I think part of the journey of life is seeing if you can find it.
00:42An observant Muslim.
00:44There's a line in Frasier where he says,
00:46ethics is what we do when no one's looking.
00:48That chimes in with Islam.
00:49Everything you do should be to please Allah,
00:52and that makes you a better person.
00:54And the self-proclaimed a la carte Catholic.
00:57I take the best bits of Catholicism.
01:01I love the service and the pomp and the circumstance of it all.
01:05I believe the power of prayer.
01:08They'll trace the footprint of legendary Celtic Christian saints
01:11from the seventh century.
01:13That's the most beautiful view I've ever seen in my life.
01:16Before arriving at that final destination,
01:18the holy island of Lindisfarne.
01:20Some people think this is the holiest place in England.
01:25Over 12 days.
01:27Oh, God!
01:28There will be challenges.
01:29Oh, it is really slippery.
01:31You're like my carer.
01:33Realisations.
01:34We have very different views, don't we?
01:36And tears.
01:37For the first time, I feel like I belong somewhere.
01:41Common pilgrimage, they said.
01:43Come on, Batsy!
01:44I'm coming!
01:46But where will this journey of self-discovery take them?
01:50Great pilgrimage, everybody!
01:51Yes!
01:58Over the past few days,
01:59the pilgrims have been making their way towards the city of Durham.
02:03Now it's all good.
02:04Wow, look at that!
02:05Finally, they came within sight of Durham Cathedral,
02:09the final resting place for three seventh-century northern saints.
02:13This is very cool.
02:15You just need a little logo, Visit England.
02:17Yeah.
02:18And they crossed Preben's Bridge to the city's historic centre.
02:25The group began their journey four days ago in North Yorkshire, near Whitby,
02:29on the way of St Hild,
02:32and have travelled on foot and by bus until they reach Durham.
02:36With 300 kilometres still to go, they'll head towards Heavenfield,
02:41the start of St Oswald's Way.
02:44The pilgrims will explore the glorious coastline
02:47before traversing north-west to St Cuthbert's Way
02:50in the Cheviots in the Scottish borders.
02:53They'll make their way to the legendary Cuthbert's Cave
02:56before heading to Holy Island,
02:58also known as Lindisfarne, their final destination.
03:02For more than a thousand years,
03:05the faithful have trekked across the changing tidal sands
03:08to reach this historic place of pilgrimage.
03:20So, Durham Cathedral.
03:23Durham is one of the oldest cities in the north of England.
03:27At its heart, on the River Weir, sits the 12th-century cathedral,
03:31home to the tomb of Cuthbert, the north's most beloved saint.
03:37Jane, you know a lot about Cuthbert, right?
03:39Yeah, this is my guy.
03:40Yeah, Cuthbert's like your dude, right?
03:42He is.
03:43Radio presenter Jane Middlemiss is from Northumberland.
03:47I was christened in St Cuthbert's Church.
03:50It's nice to have that local figure.
03:52Yeah.
03:53And the really weird thing about it is I don't think it's conscious.
03:56You know, I grew up as a child listening to stories about Cuthbert
04:00and I was at a C of E school and...
04:03Can't wait to meet him.
04:04He's dead!
04:06Right, no, yeah, OK.
04:08Cuthbert was a revered monk and hermit of Lindisfarne,
04:12known for his preaching and miracles.
04:14He died in 687 AD,
04:17but in the wake of Viking raids on the island,
04:20the monks fled in 875,
04:24taking Cuthbert's sacred body with them.
04:27For over 100 years, he was carried by monks throughout the northeast
04:31until they found a safe place to settle.
04:35So, basically, the monks who were carrying his body
04:38found this place, this spot here.
04:41They set his body down and then the cathedral was built around him.
04:44Wow.
04:47Ah!
04:48Hello.
04:49Hello, everybody.
04:50Hi.
04:50On their way into the cathedral,
04:52the group are greeted by Canon Charlie Allen
04:54and introduced to an ancient pilgrim tradition.
04:58So, one of the things we do is offer people foot washing as they arrive.
05:02If you'd like to come and have a foot wash,
05:04come in this direction.
05:06Ashley Banjo, leader of dance troupe Diversity,
05:10isn't keen on the idea.
05:12I can't deal with my feet being touched.
05:13My feet are the most ticklish.
05:15Aren't they?
05:16Brilliant.
05:17So, you've got to imagine yourself back to medieval times.
05:20We know that people came here from Europe,
05:22from here, there and everywhere.
05:23And then you arrive to this wonderful Ministry of Hospitality,
05:26someone washing your feet, someone giving you food to eat.
05:29It was a really, really big thing.
05:31So, if you just lift that up and put that over that bowl,
05:33then it's a very refreshing experience,
05:36physically and also spiritually.
05:40So, there you go.
05:46It's hot.
05:49It's hot.
05:50It's hot.
05:52Oh, yes, it is hot.
05:54Nice, though.
05:54It really is.
05:55Thank you, Charlie.
05:56And do you take cash or card?
05:57I'm joking.
05:59It's just a joke.
06:00It's all gift.
06:00Thank you so much, Charlie.
06:02I've got my big Irish feet.
06:04Huge toes.
06:06There you go.
06:07Oh, that's lovely.
06:08But stand-up comedian Ashley Blaker...
06:10I'm not going to do any washing...
06:12..decides to opt out.
06:13This isn't my...
06:14I don't walk into an abbey and feel,
06:18oh, I belong here because I don't.
06:21It feels kind of alien to me.
06:23No.
06:23It's interesting that when you're Jewish, you are,
06:25and that's part of being Jewish, is being an outsider.
06:28It's a welcoming place, but I know I don't belong.
06:32I think you belong.
06:35Durham Cathedral is a significant pilgrimage site.
06:38You can sort of feel all the history.
06:41Mmm.
06:42As well as the Shrine of Cuthbert,
06:43there's the tomb of the Venerable Bede, or Saint Bede,
06:47the great Anglo-Saxon scholar who wrote in the 8th century
06:51about the lives of the 7th-century Celtic Christian saints like Cuthbert.
06:58My God.
07:01It just smells like church.
07:02Mmm.
07:03The candles.
07:05Mmm.
07:05Oh, my Lord.
07:07The pilgrims make their way through the cathedral,
07:10a UNESCO World Heritage site.
07:12Wow.
07:13This is breathtaking.
07:14Famed for its Norman architecture.
07:17That stained glass is incredible.
07:19Yeah.
07:20It's awe-inspiring.
07:22Even 6'6", Ashley Banjo feels small.
07:26Yeah.
07:27Here, you know, you've stood before God.
07:29Yeah.
07:30You feel small.
07:30Yeah.
07:32Imagine getting married in here.
07:34Huh.
07:34It's got to last.
07:36Yes.
07:36You can't get divorced if you get married in here.
07:41At the eastern end of the cathedral,
07:43behind the high altar, is a door leading to Cuthbert's shrine.
07:47Oh, yeah.
07:48I remember this.
07:53Oh.
07:54Oh.
07:55Oh.
07:56Oh, wow.
07:59Wow.
08:01Cuthbert's body was moved to its final resting place in 1104.
08:06Buried with him is said to be the head of Oswald, king and saint,
08:10who, like Cuthbert, played a significant role in bringing Christianity to Northumbria.
08:18As a Celtic Christian, Cuthbert sought closeness with God in solitude,
08:22deep in the wild places of the north.
08:25Have you heard about the legend of Cuthbert?
08:28No.
08:29So, basically, he lived in, you know, a monastic life,
08:32and he was doing some praying in the North Sea.
08:35And then, as he came out of the sea, two sea otters followed him out,
08:38and he was freezing, and his feet were really cold,
08:41and they sat on his feet to warm his feet.
08:44And that was why people sort of, like, said he had this affinity with animals and the land,
08:49and he was actually quite shamanic in the way he taught.
08:52Look, they're there.
08:53There's these little otters that are in that picture up there.
08:56Oh, yes.
08:56I love that connection with the wild.
08:59Yeah.
08:59They've almost got, like, their hands clasped in prayer.
09:02I know.
09:02It's like he's praying, doesn't he?
09:04Yeah.
09:04It's interesting, I read that he didn't want his burial place to become a shrine.
09:09There's a trouble with shrines that then sometimes it can become almost idolatrous.
09:16Like, we don't know where Moses was buried,
09:19because he didn't want to become a shrine to distract from the worship of God.
09:27It is such an awe-inspiring, I don't know, if monument's the right word.
09:35I don't know if humans would go through with the trouble
09:37to build something quite this beautiful,
09:40unless it was in the name of something higher.
09:44Actor Hermione Norris is also moved.
09:47When I sit somewhere like this, I open my heart.
09:54I open my heart.
10:04To that grace, I suppose.
10:07This is it, isn't it?
10:14Enjoy that?
10:15Can you enjoy the scene?
10:16It's sad to leave.
10:18It was amazing, wasn't it?
10:20Yeah.
10:20I feel like I've been on a journey from the moment we arrived to when we left.
10:23Don't you?
10:24A bit of an unexpected experience, actually.
10:25Yeah.
10:26Surprising.
10:27Thank you, Durham Cathedral.
10:28Yeah, thank you, Durham Cathedral.
10:32The pilgrims leave the historic lanes and cobbled alleys behind and pick up the Way of Light,
10:39a recently created trail, which heads north-west through valleys and fells to Heavenfield.
10:46It's here Oswald, the warrior saint, fought to claim the crown for the Kingdom of Northumbria in 634 AD.
10:57I'm liking the poles.
10:59Me too.
10:59The poles actually make it easier.
11:01I'm feeling the pole action, guys.
11:02Look at this pace.
11:04I think we should keep this all the way.
11:06I'm starting to feel a bit delirious.
11:08You'll soon be in Heavenfield.
11:12And you can be delirious there.
11:14You know there's the wooden cross when we get there?
11:16Because Oswald...
11:17Yeah.
11:18When he went to fight the battle, he was a massive Christian.
11:22Nobody else was.
11:23Yeah.
11:24He prayed to God and he had a much smaller army.
11:26He won the battle and then he said it was because of God and Christianity.
11:30Jane, you ever thought about starting like a Cuthbert Oswald fan club?
11:35Like online?
11:36Maybe just like...
11:36I feel like you could be president of the Cuthbert Oswald Facebook page or something.
11:41Do you know what? Let's do it.
11:42What shoe size was he, Jane?
11:44Get lost banjo.
11:50The trail leads the pilgrims across open farmland.
11:54We got the map out. We got it.
11:56Did that way?
11:57Yeah.
11:58Yeah, I think so.
11:58Yeah.
11:59I mean, more or less, innit?
12:00Yeah, because it goes around the thing.
12:01Yeah.
12:03Guys, are you sure? Are you sure about this?
12:05The arrow is going towards the flag.
12:06Yeah, good.
12:07That's a good sign.
12:11All the talk of saints reminds actor Patsy Kensett of her Catholic school days.
12:16Did you go to a convent?
12:18Yeah.
12:18Taught by nuns.
12:19I think I'd been there, I don't know, one term and one of the nuns died.
12:24Yeah.
12:24And I must have been about six or seven.
12:26And we had to each go in one by one and sit with her.
12:30While she was dead?
12:31While she was lying there dead.
12:32As a six or seven year old?
12:34Yeah.
12:35And all I can remember was she had her fourth teeth falling out of her mouth.
12:39Oh, my God.
12:40And I wanted to push them back in.
12:42Oh.
12:42But I had nightmares for a while after that, yeah.
12:47I don't think it operates like that at all now.
12:52The pilgrims are almost at Oswald's battlefield.
12:57We're close, guys.
12:58Are we close?
12:59We are close to the field of heaven.
13:03Oswald was born in 604 AD, 30 years before Cuthbert, and brought up in exile in the west of Scotland,
13:10probably at the monastery on Iona, where he became a fervent Celtic Christian.
13:15This is it?
13:15Yeah, it must be.
13:16Excellent.
13:16Where the few triumphed over the many because of faith.
13:20Victory.
13:21In 633, Oswald returned to challenge the powerful king of Gwyneth.
13:26Oh, this is the cross.
13:28Who'd seized the Northumbria throne.
13:30Oh, wow.
13:31So this is where you won the battle?
13:32Yeah, this is it.
13:33This is Heavenfield.
13:35On the eve of battle, in the shadow of Hadrian's Wall, Oswald fell on his knees praying for victory.
13:42His kingdom secured, he sent for St Aidan from Iona to establish a priory on the tidal island of Lindisfarne,
13:50which helped to spread Christianity throughout Northumbria and beyond.
13:55And that's the Oswald church?
13:57Yeah.
13:57Should we have a look?
13:57Yeah, let's go.
13:59The 19th century church at the top of the field is thought to have been built over Norman and 7th
14:05century foundations.
14:07It's just crazy to think all these years ago there was a whole battle right here.
14:12And if he hadn't have won, we might not be Christians.
14:16Yeah.
14:17Wow.
14:17Isn't it mad?
14:18It all could have worked out so differently.
14:21And our lives would have been different.
14:22It would have been.
14:24I can't work out if it would have been an advantage or a disadvantage to be my size,
14:27because people have probably just been taken out first.
14:30Do you know what I mean?
14:30But you have got the height advantage in terms of the sword is being swung from a...
14:35Yeah.
14:35Well, even the thought of going like this when you're spring.
14:38No, bro, it's terrifying.
14:40Jane, I'm good to know you again.
14:41I've done a lot of searching around lots of different ones.
14:44Okay.
14:44And the most I got from was the yogic teachings.
14:47But I don't know, coming back here, it's sort of like reconnecting me to something,
14:51which feels quite nice, you know.
14:52I'm sort of historically Church of England.
14:56TV personality Tasha Guri has been reflecting on her own spiritual identity.
15:03So I would say I'm an atheist, but I truly believe that maybe there is some kind of faith in
15:07me,
15:07but I've never recognised it.
15:09And I think today, as beautiful as it was, you know, walking inside the cathedral,
15:13I don't feel that energy of a sense I maybe belong here.
15:19It's really interesting because you refer to yourself as an atheist.
15:24And yet, what I'm hearing is you've got an idea that you are actually searching for something.
15:32So I'm wondering if you're more agnostic than atheist.
15:36So agnostic.
15:38Agnostic is someone who doesn't know, doesn't know if there is a God or if there isn't a God,
15:45but they just have a question mark over, like, I'm interested.
15:52So I feel like I definitely have a question mark and open-minded to that.
15:57So maybe I am more of a agnostic.
16:00I think, you know, sometimes we can run but we can't hide from what's inside of us.
16:05And some things we are just connected to.
16:08I think it's amazing.
16:09It's amazing, isn't it?
16:10Yeah, yeah.
16:12I feel so lucky to be part of such an amazing group.
16:15They have honestly just welcomed me and they're not judging me once.
16:20You know, I've had such amazing conversations with each of them
16:24and I feel like a sense of community with them.
16:28You know, I live a very lonely, isolating life with the industry that I'm in.
16:32And for the first time, so.
16:47For the first time, I feel like I belong somewhere, that I feel a sense of love, kindness and just
16:59compassion and understanding.
17:02And for the first time, I feel like just me.
17:07I'm so grateful that I get to be with them every day.
17:10I'm going to be so sad when this finishes.
17:15Born 17th February 1861, died.
17:2129th July 1937.
17:24So happy.
17:25And his wife's with him.
17:27She died in November and he died in July.
17:29So she followed him.
17:31That often happens, doesn't it?
17:32I know it does.
17:33I know.
17:35I know.
17:35I'm worried about when my cat dies.
17:38Keep him and then have him in with you or be sprinkled later on, they stay together.
17:42Or have it as a necklace.
17:45I just, I just can't imagine life without him.
17:48I know.
17:49They never go anywhere.
17:50They don't.
17:51I've got my oaths with me now.
17:53Do you like that?
17:54Is there?
17:54Yes.
17:56There's only pictures of him.
17:57He's off at boot camp.
18:00I think often posthumously they're with you more, in a way, they're with your souls.
18:07And then, of course, this view.
18:09This is an amazing view, isn't it?
18:11Yeah.
18:11It truly is God's land.
18:14Odd to think of them having a battle in the middle of nowhere.
18:18Yes.
18:18Like that.
18:19Yeah.
18:19Can you imagine?
18:20As in man's need to fight.
18:22Yeah.
18:22You don't catch women running around.
18:24No, you don't.
18:25Macheting each other.
18:26Yeah, exactly.
18:26No.
18:28Men with no knickers on.
18:30Yes.
18:31With no pants on.
18:32No pants.
18:33Running around.
18:34Chopping each other to bits.
18:36Yeah.
18:37And then praying.
18:38And then they're our sons.
18:40Yeah.
18:40And our lovers.
18:41Yeah.
18:44Oh, Hermione.
18:45I know.
18:46What's to become?
18:53Just along from Heavenfield is the UK's best preserved Roman fort, House Steads, a national
19:01landmark along Hadrian's Wall, which the pilgrims are keen to explore.
19:06Wow.
19:06This is going to be fun.
19:07It might be of Baghdad, right, Hermione, this one?
19:11Perfect conditions for a lovely day's home.
19:14But today, they're battling an amber weather warning.
19:18Who else is glad we didn't go to Portugal?
19:21I'd rather this than the four in heart.
19:23I would have this any day.
19:24Yes.
19:24Me too.
19:25This is real proper English weather.
19:27It is.
19:27Does anyone know much about Hadrian's Wall?
19:30Well, it was for the Romans to keep the barbarians out.
19:33Right.
19:34The people on this land were viewed as a barbarian.
19:36Yes.
19:37Right.
19:37Savages.
19:38Yeah.
19:38When it was built, it was 15 feet high.
19:41Quick question.
19:42Who was Hadrian?
19:45Hadrian was...
19:47What's his proper name?
19:48Plebius?
19:51And then it was Hadrianus.
19:54Oh, yeah.
19:54Excuse me?
19:55Hadrian will suffice.
19:56Hadrian.
19:57Hadrianus.
19:58One more time, Hermione.
19:59Sorry.
20:00I like hearing you say it.
20:01That's great.
20:04Let's just focus on his wall.
20:05Let's forget his Hadrianus.
20:07Let's just focus on the wall.
20:07Let's just get on the wall.
20:11In the 2nd century, when Britain was occupied by the Romans,
20:15Hadrian's colossal wall spanned about 118 kilometres
20:19from coast to coast.
20:22Well, these are separate rooms, it looks like.
20:26Up to 800 soldiers and their families lived here at Housesteads,
20:30a military fort.
20:33There were granaries, houses with underfloor heating systems
20:37and Roman streets.
20:40I'm not sure I'm allowed to sit on this,
20:43getting the power and energy from the rocks.
20:46As they wander the ruins, comedian Hassan Al-Habib
20:50is drawn to the facilities.
20:52OK, guys, I'd appreciate some privacy now.
20:54Before you've arrived at the toilets.
20:56Oh.
20:57Look at the sophistication of it all.
21:00A communal latrine.
21:03For the purposes of maintaining good hygiene amongst the,
21:07it says, 800 men living in this fort.
21:09They had to come up with a sanitation system.
21:12Highly sophisticated for the time, I understand.
21:15Men would essentially sit along two rows.
21:18They would defecate, I believe is the term.
21:22Poo.
21:22Exactly.
21:23And then there would be sticks with rags
21:27that they'd clean themselves with afterwards.
21:31A communal stick.
21:32Yeah.
21:33What?
21:33A communal stick to wipe your bottom after you've done a poo.
21:37But they must have like cleaned the cloth.
21:39Well.
21:40I mean, I doubt it.
21:41Sponges were available in the Mediterranean.
21:44OK.
21:45But at Housesteads it may have been moss, bracken or rags.
21:48It's a good team bonding session.
21:50Yeah, yeah, yeah.
21:50You know, you're all in it together.
21:52You can chat about your life.
21:54Right.
21:54The one thing we should take from this though.
21:56Yeah?
21:56The word latrine.
21:57Latrine.
21:59Farewell latrine.
22:00Au revoir.
22:01Weird, isn't it?
22:02The loose bit that's really squished.
22:04I know.
22:05I could do with a latrine actually.
22:07Me too.
22:07Yeah.
22:10While Ashley, Tasha and Jane go ahead
22:13to prepare the group's overnight accommodation, a basic hostel.
22:17The rest of the pilgrims have the chance to find out more about Judaism.
22:23It's another faith with strong roots in this part of the country.
22:26And they're visiting Newcastle's Reform Synagogue.
22:31Newcastle's one of the UK's designated cities of sanctuary
22:34and has a long history of welcoming immigrants and refugees.
22:40In the late 19th century, it became home to hundreds of Jews fleeing East European oppression
22:46and those escaping Nazi persecution in the 1930s and 40s.
22:53I'll be honest with you, I don't think I've ever been inside a Reform synagogue.
23:00This synagogue follows a very different branch of Judaism to the one Ashley once followed.
23:06I was a ultra-Orthodox Jew for 15 years.
23:10Hassan, put this on and you...
23:12Yes.
23:14You're a Jew.
23:14Welcome.
23:15Give me a hug.
23:16I'm still very proudly Jewish.
23:18Thank you, brother.
23:19It has a huge role in my life in terms of defining who I am.
23:24I don't think I can ever shake that.
23:25Shoes off?
23:26No.
23:27No, no, no.
23:27No, that's yours.
23:29Here.
23:30No, shoes on.
23:30But I don't feel the need to keep the rules.
23:35I feel that's for other people.
23:36Welcome.
23:37Hello.
23:38I'm Ashley.
23:39Welcome, Ashley.
23:39The pilgrims are met by Brenda and Linda.
23:42Lovely to meet you too.
23:43I love your hair.
23:44Who are both active members of the synagogue community.
23:47Thank you for having us.
23:48Is it the first time you've been in a synagogue?
23:50Yes.
23:50It's my first time ever in a Reform synagogue.
23:54Right.
23:54What's the difference between...
23:56Reform.
23:57So Reform Judaism joined with Liberal to form Progressive Judaism UK.
24:04So there are different strands of Judaism.
24:06Okay.
24:07One of the big differences here in a Reform community or a Progressive community is that
24:15families can sit together.
24:17Men and women.
24:18Boys and girls can all be together.
24:21Actually our previous four rabbis have been women.
24:25So men and women are completely equal.
24:29Yeah.
24:30And that's not the case in the Orthodox synagogue.
24:33Absolutely not.
24:34Not quite.
24:34I mean we can take part in the service.
24:37We can lead the service.
24:38Whereas in the Orthodox community it wouldn't be allowed.
24:41I would say, if I'm allowed to, that it's not that they're not equal.
24:47Because they are entirely equal in the Orthodox world.
24:50They have different roles.
24:52Very different.
24:53Different roles.
24:54Different roles.
24:54Not unequal.
24:55You said unequal.
24:56Not unequal.
24:57Different.
24:57In terms of a service.
24:59I would need to sit behind a screen or upstairs.
25:03And not to participate.
25:05Participate in a different way.
25:06By praying.
25:07By praying.
25:08By praying.
25:08More comfortable here I think.
25:11For you.
25:12For many people who wish to be with their families.
25:15Mm.
25:16That's the thing.
25:17We have very different views, don't we?
25:19Well, two Jews, three opinions.
25:21Exactly.
25:22That's exactly how it is.
25:23Everybody's right.
25:24I like that.
25:25And I'm righter than everybody.
25:26Yes.
25:28There have long been differences between the more recent reform movement, with its more
25:33flexible approach, and the traditions of Orthodox Judaism.
25:38So feel free to have a look around.
25:39If you need any help, advice, talk to Linda.
25:43Talk to me.
25:43Talk to Ashley.
25:46Don't necessarily listen to everything you say.
25:49We're not going to agree, are we?
25:51We're never going to agree.
25:54That's what a synagogue is, though, isn't it?
25:57Mm.
25:57Can I ask you something?
25:58Of course, Father.
25:59Will you tell me what the significance of these candles are that are everywhere in the
26:04Jewish faith?
26:05The seven-branched candles?
26:06The seven, yes.
26:07That's called a menorah.
26:09A menorah.
26:09The seven-branched candelabra, which is part of the temple service.
26:13We use a slightly different one with eight branches at Chaneke.
26:19It's called a Chanekeia.
26:20Come on, I'll show you.
26:22Now, this has eight, and the one in the middle is the servant, the shamash.
26:26And simplistically, it was at a time when Jews were in the temple with only enough oil for
26:34one night.
26:34Yeah.
26:34As long as there was light, they weren't attacked.
26:36But a miracle happened, of course.
26:39It's got to be a miracle.
26:40And there was enough oil for eight days.
26:42And in commemoration of that, we light our candles, and we eat foods fried in oil.
26:49So we have doughnuts.
26:51So we eat unhealthy, oily food for eight days a year.
26:54Doughnuts.
26:55And then for the other rest of the year, we eat even more unhealthy food.
27:00Wow.
27:00Where do I sign up?
27:01This sounds fantastic.
27:04One of the synagogue's three Torah scrolls was rescued at the end of World War II from Pardubice in the
27:11Czech Republic, where the Jewish community was virtually wiped out during the Holocaust.
27:17We have the honour, the privilege, and the sacred duty, if you like, to use this scroll.
27:26Mm-hm.
27:26Now, it's quite on you.
27:28There's no vows, so you can't touch it.
27:30Right hand.
27:30You don't touch it with your hand.
27:32Oh, God.
27:32You use a pointer, which is called...
27:34Have I done it?
27:34It's fine, don't I?
27:35It's a pointer called a yad.
27:37And we read through the whole thing in a year.
27:39And we're kind of towards the end at the moment.
27:41And it's right for left.
27:41I have to say that you've, like, blown my mind today a little bit in here, because I sensed a
27:48real passion in you that's...
27:50I know, but I think it's...
27:51Has it re-ignited?
27:53It's re-ignited, sorry.
27:54I know, exactly.
27:54It's re-ignited.
27:55My Yiddish and a Shomer.
27:57You know what that is?
27:58A Jewish soul.
27:59And it never goes away.
28:01It doesn't go away.
28:01It doesn't go away.
28:01You can run away from it, but it doesn't go away.
28:06Hermione wants to understand Ashley's strong reaction to being in a reform synagogue.
28:11It's interesting, because I obviously haven't been religious for a long time.
28:19But when I come into a reformed synagogue, it makes me quite defensive, almost quite angry, really.
28:28There are many things that I'm doing, like what I'm eating, or that I'm not keeping the Sabbath, or I've
28:34got tattoos, that are against the rules.
28:36But I know they're against the rules, whereas here, there are no rules.
28:40When we went to Durham Cathedral, I felt a bit alien.
28:45But the same thing gets unsettled when I come somewhere like this, and I think, no, this isn't, this isn't,
28:53this isn't my Judaism.
28:54But surely, if it's going to Durham Cathedral does that, and coming to a reformed synagogue does that, it's actually
29:01emboldening and reaffirming what you really, who you really are, and what you really, really believe in.
29:08But I think it shows that, even though I might not observe anymore, I'm still a Jew.
29:14Fair dinks.
29:18This synagogue was founded in the early 1960s by Jewish families, including refugees who fled the Nazis during the Holocaust,
29:26and has strong links with current-day immigrants.
29:30We have people that will help fill in forms for them.
29:34We, as a community, collect food and clothing.
29:38What can we do to help these people?
29:41And I think that's Jewish tradition.
29:43It's certainly our family tradition.
29:45My family were immigrants.
29:47My family were actually, shall I say, encouraged to leave Russia around about 1890, and settled in Newcastle in an
29:58area where there was a high percentage of Jewish people.
30:01Really.
30:01And the story goes that they arrived at Hull, they did think it was America, and couldn't speak English.
30:11And the person who admitted them to England said, you know, what's your name?
30:16And they couldn't speak.
30:17And the chap said to them, it's okay.
30:20You're a free man now.
30:22So our family name from England is Freeman.
30:26That's a lovely story.
30:27And there are a lot of Jewish people called Freeman who are not related, because the same thing obviously happened
30:33to them.
30:33So they were met with real kindness.
30:36Absolutely.
30:37Yeah.
30:37Absolutely.
30:38Yeah.
30:39Brenda, would it be okay if, as a Muslim, I used this space here in the synagogue to pray?
30:43It would be wonderful.
30:45Oh, thank you, Brenda.
30:45That's very sweet.
30:50Definite parallels between myself and Brenda.
30:53Coming from an immigrant family, you really remember and treasure those acts of kindness shown to you by people that
30:59have less in common with you.
31:02The reason I wanted to pray in there is the Torah being recognized in Islam.
31:07It made perfect sense to me.
31:10This is a building dedicated to worship.
31:12So, in that sense, it felt very natural to do that.
31:22The Pilgrims' off-grid hostel is in Harwood Forest, deep inside Northumberland National Park.
31:30So, the kettle is on. Ash, do you want to look after the kettle while me and Tash do a
31:35bit of...
31:35Yeah, yeah, yeah, no problem.
31:36Ashley, Tasha and Jane arrived earlier and are settling in.
31:42So, one minute, when this screams at me...
31:43Yeah.
31:44..pour the water in there.
31:44That's it.
31:45I can do that.
31:46I'm just in the way, aren't I, really?
31:48No.
31:48Oh, wait.
31:49Right on cue.
31:50I've never used one of these before.
31:52Have you not?
31:52So, that's done, right?
31:53Yeah.
31:55Argh!
31:56Oh, my God!
31:57Argh!
31:57Argh!
31:58Argh!
31:58Did I just...
31:59Pull it under...
32:01No, pull it under cold water.
32:02No, still do it.
32:03You still do it.
32:04Because it gets hot.
32:05You didn't tell me that.
32:06I had to pick up the kettle with a thing.
32:07To be honest, I forgot.
32:11Is it really sore?
32:12No, no, it's not that bad.
32:13Stick it under the tab.
32:14It was just hot.
32:15Shock.
32:16It just shocked me because I'm used to a Morphe Richards where you just...
32:20A place of rest for the night.
32:23Ah.
32:24I see pilgrims.
32:25Oh!
32:27Pilgrims.
32:28Oh, hi!
32:30Welcome.
32:32Oh, how cosy.
32:33Into the warm.
32:34Hi!
32:35Shalom.
32:35How's everyone feeling?
32:36Are you cold?
32:37Freezing.
32:38Yep.
32:38There's a little stove in there.
32:39It's nice and warm.
32:40Do you want to go in there and make yourself comfy?
32:41I'll bring some more wood.
32:42Let's get this nice and warm.
32:44Thanks, team.
32:46How was it, guys?
32:47How was your trip?
32:47Yeah, how was the synagogue?
32:49Honestly, they were very nice to us, Brenda and Linda.
32:53Very kind, very generous to their time.
32:56Allowed me to pray.
32:58Aw, that's nice.
33:00Really, really nice.
33:00What do you guys think?
33:01I spent quite a bit of time with Linda and this one.
33:06Were you being combative?
33:08What happened, Ash?
33:09It's not for me, let's put it like that.
33:12What, the reformed synagogue?
33:13Yeah.
33:14Why?
33:15So, it made me feel quite uncomfortable.
33:18Absolutely.
33:19I mean, when I was more observant, I wouldn't even have stepped inside there.
33:22Why, Ash?
33:23Because it's a totally different religion.
33:25All the rabbis rule, also if you can't go inside, it's a kind of heretical place.
33:32But I'd never actually been inside one before.
33:35And it felt like being in church.
33:39What's interesting, Ash, is you, essentially, you don't follow Judaism anymore.
33:45You don't...
33:45I don't keep the rules.
33:46You don't keep the rules.
33:47So, for someone who doesn't keep the rules and worship, you feel passionate about the rules.
33:52It is strange.
33:52This is what blew my mind, your reaction today to it.
33:57You were fighting your corner.
33:59Yeah.
33:59You always had quite a visceral and emotional response.
34:01I really do.
34:02It's hard to explain that very, as you say, visceral reaction, just like red rag to a bull.
34:08Mm.
34:09I just saw a really interesting other side to you.
34:13And I think it's quite touching.
34:16It's like, you'll be at the synagogue next week.
34:19Genuinely, I don't think I will.
34:21I'm more...
34:21That'll be Brenda and Linda right now.
34:24I had to argue with you.
34:26Yeah.
34:28It's getting late, and the pilgrims need to figure out their sleeping arrangements.
34:32It's a lot colder up here.
34:34So, this one's got...
34:36I think this one should be the girls, because it's bigger, and there's four of us.
34:40Okay.
34:41This is not bad.
34:42Do you know what this is?
34:42This is like we're doing basic training.
34:44You and I.
34:45Yeah.
34:47It's chilly.
34:48It's very cold.
34:50I think I may have lucked out, because this is by the radiator.
34:53Oh, you have lucked out.
34:57Where have you brought me?
35:00There's no towel.
35:02No mirror.
35:03No light.
35:05No reception.
35:09Come on, pilgrimage, they said.
35:17Normally, I'm given a script.
35:19I'm told what to wear, what to say, where to stand, what to do, what the scene's about.
35:25And here, I'm outside my comfort zone, I can tell you.
35:29Yeah.
35:32No mask.
35:37This is it.
35:39Do you want to watch me put my hormone replacement on?
35:50So, I'm looking.
35:51Tuck in for the night.
35:52I'm actually quite looking forward to it.
35:54It's been a long, old day.
35:58SIGHS
35:58SIGHS
35:59SIGHS
36:00SIGHS
36:00SIGHS
36:10SIGHS
36:10SIGHS
36:12SIGHS
36:13SIGHS
36:13SIGHS
36:16There's nothing around for a very long way. If you run out of milk, I mean, you'd get to a
36:23cow quicker than you would to, to a supermarket to find any milk.
36:33Look at this, this is literally the life.
36:35Incredible view. You feel so at peace.
36:39Even though I kept thinking all night, anything wants to happen, how are we going to get out of this
36:43place?
36:43I'll tell you how we got out of here.
36:44How? Ashley Banjo, the protector.
36:47Of course. No one's kidnapping anyone whilst that man's around.
36:49Of course, he'll just call you as well and just run out.
36:52Exactly. Exactly.
36:56So, did everyone have a good night?
36:58Oh, I slept so deep. Did you?
37:00Yeah, it was really cosy.
37:02I was up and down, actually, last night.
37:04Yeah. Right, you.
37:05Same. Yeah.
37:07Which way, pilgrims?
37:08Down.
37:09Down. Down.
37:10Down into the depths of our soils.
37:12Bye-bye.
37:13Bye.
37:15What a place.
37:17Yeah, it was amazing, wasn't it?
37:18Stunning, isn't it?
37:19Yeah.
37:23It's nice not to be in the pouring rain, isn't it?
37:25Yeah, isn't it?
37:26It's a new day, another day, another saint.
37:28Who's our saint today?
37:30Aren't we going on a bit of Oswald's Weir?
37:32Are we? OK.
37:34But their first stop this morning, before they reach the trail,
37:37will be a retreat centre celebrating new monasticism.
37:42Really interesting, actually, because there's so much stuff about, like,
37:46the sound of Celtic Christianity that sounds beautiful, right?
37:49Absolutely.
37:50It's like God in nature and the landscape.
37:52Especially because in modern society now, we've lost maybe that...
37:56That simplicity. That's the word, isn't it? The simplicity.
37:59Precisely.
38:00So I wonder how simple of a life this new monasticism is.
38:06I can imagine they're happy.
38:08Right? How much deeper of a life it must be as well.
38:11Yeah.
38:11Because of how shallow and how vain we can be on social media.
38:15Now, if we turn up and they've got a hot tub, I'm not going to be convinced as well.
38:23This is lovely.
38:25For me, coming onto this, you know, I easily live like a hermit.
38:29I'm quite happy, me and the cat.
38:32So it's been great to be around people and...
38:35It's quite challenging though, isn't it?
38:37It is, it really is challenging.
38:38Yeah.
38:39Would you do it again?
38:41No.
38:41No.
38:45Cold shower!
38:46You showered this morning.
38:47It was freezing.
38:47I was like...
38:48It was freezing.
38:48I had a horse bath and, you know...
38:53I had a lick round with, you know, Ben Brish.
38:56I'm sorry if I smell.
38:58You don't smell.
38:59You don't smell.
39:01How are you feeling about today?
39:03All right?
39:03Fascinating to see how this is going to be like.
39:05Yeah, me too.
39:05New monasticism.
39:07Are they going to have the haircut?
39:08I wonder.
39:09The Celts had a Celtic tonsil, which is basically like a mullet.
39:14They might all look like me.
39:17Yeah.
39:18And have bleach blonde hair and a moustache.
39:20That would be cool.
39:21Hipster monks.
39:22Hipster monks.
39:23Maybe.
39:28Hi.
39:29Hello.
39:30Are you Paul?
39:31I'm Paul, yes. Hello.
39:32Nice to meet you, Paul Hassan.
39:33Paul has been part of the Northumbria community for 15 years.
39:37Hello, Patsy.
39:38Hello, Patsy.
39:38Some members live here at Nether Springs.
39:40But like many, Paul comes to the retreat as a volunteer.
39:45If I can take you to the chapel, which is just down here, and introduce you to Sarah.
39:51Are you going to take your wheelbarrow, Paul?
39:52You take it.
39:53And then you can push me.
39:55I'll push it.
39:57Don't, because I would quite happily.
40:02You come in.
40:04I love it here.
40:06Isn't it nice?
40:07You're welcome.
40:08So this is Sarah.
40:09Sarah's been a member of the community for 23 years.
40:13Hassan, lovely to meet you.
40:14Whatever you're sort of selling here, I'm in.
40:20Nether Springs is the mother house of a worldwide network of about 2,000 people.
40:25Here at their retreat, the community prays four times a day, and their daily lives are inspired by the 7th
40:32century northern saints.
40:35Celtic Christian spirituality is an indigenous spirituality, and it's particularly in the northeast.
40:42Yeah, it is.
40:43I know we call them St. Adel and St. Cuthbert and St. Hilde, but they were ordinary men and women,
40:49and we now revere them because they are like way marks for us in the past that help us make
40:55sense at the times that we're living within.
40:58So this community, Northumbria community, was founded in the 70s and 80s when there was a lot of struggle and
41:04turmoil in the northeast of England.
41:06Yeah, the minor strike.
41:07That's right.
41:08The economic turmoil that was there and the political unease.
41:12And suddenly those that you're with and have been alongside, there's a struggle.
41:19And Aidan and Cuthbert and Oswald and Hilde were in such a time.
41:26There was political upheaval and struggle.
41:28What are your practices?
41:30One of the key monastic principles is taking time aside and taking time out of normal everyday life and its
41:38demands.
41:39So we talk about going to your cell.
41:42From what you're saying, do people retreat into themselves and become sort of in isolation?
41:48Like a hermit.
41:49Yeah.
41:50Yeah.
41:50I mean, because coming on this journey for me, I'm really like happy being on my own.
41:57It's been wonderful, but I'm really out of my comfort zone.
42:01Yes.
42:01I know God's in all of us.
42:04I just hope that I can really reinforce that.
42:07Right.
42:08And be more open and social because I just, it's just, I find it very, very hard.
42:15What you have got is actually really very valuable.
42:18Yeah.
42:18And really important.
42:20I mean, Cuthbert particularly was somebody who did want to be a lot on his own.
42:25And so it was like you, Patsy, but he kept being called to be a bishop or to be an
42:31abbot of a monastery.
42:33Yeah.
42:33He embraced it and he became someone that we talk about now.
42:37You know, so many years later.
42:42Paul takes the pilgrims into the community's walled garden.
42:47We have spaces where people can just sit and be with themselves, reflect, meditate, whatever people like to do.
42:54So go and find out about them all and spend some time with it.
42:57I want to get you a plum.
42:58I want to say hello to this guy.
43:00Look at this.
43:01You're a beauty.
43:02Sweet, aren't you?
43:03I mean, this life is just, how wonderful.
43:09Yeah.
43:10Like a nice jumper.
43:11Oh, a lovely jumper.
43:12Like a lovely alpaca jumper.
43:15And this hairstyle's coming back in fashion.
43:17It's a model.
43:18Yeah.
43:18Yeah.
43:22The garden has a labyrinth, used for contemplation and reflection.
43:27It's sort of like a mini version of a journey.
43:29Yeah.
43:29That's a life journey.
43:31It helps you to think about the turns and the things that change in your life.
43:34Yeah.
43:35So do people walk around it then?
43:37Like powerful.
43:37Yeah, so you enter.
43:38Well, there we go.
43:38And the idea is as you face out of the circle, you're thinking about your outer life.
43:44How you engage with the world.
43:46And when you're facing more in, you can reflect on, okay, who am I really?
43:51Who am I inside?
43:54It's a very reflective little walk, Hermione.
43:57Is it?
43:57It is a great walk.
44:00I think it's very beautiful.
44:02I really like the purity of that Celtic religion.
44:06And also what she mentioned about the struggle, that it rose up around struggle.
44:12Because I always think faith is born out of adversity, really.
44:16That's the time I've drawn close.
44:19And also the one with nature and the seasons and the simplicity, lack of pomp and ceremony and all that.
44:27But Ashley's finding it hard to connect.
44:31I'm struggling a bit with the other pilgrims, to be honest.
44:34It's really strange.
44:36Trying to fit in, in a group, is not something I'm used to.
44:39But I find when we're walking, it's a very solo experience and everyone else is deep in conversation.
44:45I don't know why.
44:46It's interesting.
44:47Most of my friends are neurodiverse, um, weirdos.
44:54Reclaim the word.
44:55We're a bunch of neurodiverse weirdos.
44:57And for us, it's quite difficult to enter a typical, normal world.
45:06I am in what I believe is called a pustynia.
45:10A pustynia is just, is the Russian word for desert.
45:14And it's a place of silence, solitude and prayer, really.
45:22It's a, it's a, it's a small, silent place to connect with God.
45:28And what I love is that it feels closer to what I believe and what I practice, weirdly.
45:38There's something about it being simple and real and pure that connects to me in a deep, deep way.
45:48The Cuthbertness of this shed is speaking to me.
45:52Genuinely, it is.
45:55Thank you so much.
45:56Thank you guys.
45:57Enjoy Lindisfarne when you get there.
45:59It's time for the pilgrims to head off.
46:01What a wonderful experience.
46:02Great experience.
46:03East, towards the Northumberland coast and join St Oswald's Way.
46:08They were lovely.
46:09Really nice.
46:10Wonderful people.
46:11Just people filled with light, bro.
46:13Coming out of them exactly.
46:14Good energy.
46:15Just great energy.
46:15Great energy.
46:17St Oswald's Way starts at Heavenfield and goes east, crossing Northumberland National Park.
46:23The pilgrims are joining it near Warkworth before following it up the coast to Dunstanborough Castle.
46:32Quite slippery, guys.
46:34Hermione says it's slippery, be careful.
46:36The generally bad weather has been causing problems for Tasha, who has a cochlear implant.
46:43Because of the wind, like, I'm struggling to hear people's conversations.
46:47The wind, like, muffles my microphone.
46:49And if I got my hood up because it's raining, I hear the rain when it's hitting my hood by
46:53the microphone.
46:54And it really overpowers everybody's voices, especially when we're walking group conversations.
47:00It's been tough, for sure.
47:02And a lot of the time, not all the time, but a lot of the time we're talking about deep
47:07stuff that I'm sure you would want to hear.
47:11Yeah.
47:12Not once I felt, like, excluded.
47:14But I feel like being on this journey, I think I'm struggling to connect with God because there's a borderline
47:20that I'm struggling to get over, which is, I think, if God was all loving, why would he give people
47:26disabilities?
47:27I guess it kind of boils down to, if God is all loving, why is there suffering in the world?
47:35Why does anyone have to suffer?
47:36So I guess, with so many of these questions, it comes back to having faith.
47:42Faith in Allah that, or faith in God, that you can handle whatever hardship is coming your way.
47:52That's got me a bit emotional.
47:54Right? Yeah.
47:55I think it's lovely to hear you say that because I always struggle with, like, sometimes, like, why me? It's
48:03questionable.
48:04But then it's also, I know it's my purpose.
48:07Yeah.
48:07I know I need to be doing what I'm doing to help people.
48:11But sometimes I struggle to, like, just have that question.
48:15Yeah.
48:16Like, I'm getting emotional.
48:17No, I can't.
48:18Let's hug it out.
48:22Are you all right?
48:23Like, it's true.
48:24Should we join up with the rest of the crew?
48:26Yes.
48:27They're going to miss us after a while, you see, because I feel like we're the most popular people on
48:30the journey.
48:31We are.
48:31A lot of them lack social skills, and it's up to us, really, to carry that load.
48:36The pilgrims are heading for a hermitage belonging to Warkworth Castle, owned from the late 14th century by the powerful
48:43earls of Northumberland.
48:46I'm looking forward to seeing the hermitage. How hermit-y is it? Is it, like, really alone?
48:52I don't know.
48:53The hermitage sits alongside the River Coquit. Carved out of a rocky outcrop, it's thought to have been there since
49:00the early 1400s.
49:02Are we there yet?
49:04Must be nearly there.
49:06Must be nearly there.
49:07Now.
49:08Warkworth Hermitage.
49:09Yeah, that's the one.
49:11To reach the hermitage, the group will need to cross the river.
49:15This is our guy Steve.
49:17Hello.
49:17Hiya.
49:18Steve is their boatman and guide.
49:21Great.
49:22Just step down gently.
49:24I'm in.
49:24Have you ever had anyone fall in?
49:26I haven't had any fatalities this week.
49:29Not this week.
49:30If you spread the ballast, that's it, all right?
49:38Normally, the only time you see an Arab on a small boat is the 10 o'clock news.
49:46I'll say to Steve, as I come on the boat, I'll say to him, listen, I want you to know
49:49I've got a passport.
49:51There's nothing funny going on here.
49:53My family came here on a big boat.
49:55We're all good.
49:58Just step down gently.
50:00Whoa.
50:01No, no, no.
50:02Especially you.
50:03Yeah, especially me.
50:05I feel like I'm making the boat veered.
50:07You are, little bit.
50:08I'm making the boat veered.
50:09Oops, sorry.
50:10Just grab that handrail on your right.
50:13Take your time.
50:16Thank you, Steve.
50:17Thanks, Steve.
50:22Wow, look at this.
50:25Wow.
50:25It's pretty.
50:27You can see it's a lot more than a hole in a cliff, and that's because the occupant was a
50:31personal hermit priest.
50:33And this was his place of worship where he held mass.
50:37In England, the tradition of hermitage, which St Cuthbert was part of, started in the 7th century.
50:44I really thought it was going to be like a hole in the wall.
50:45Did it?
50:46I thought it was going to be more like a cave.
50:47By the Middle Ages, when Christianity was firmly established, priest hermits were popular with the aristocracy.
50:54Ooh.
50:55It's thought their role was to say masses and prayers for the souls of the Earl and his family.
51:04This is so amazing.
51:07Oh, my God.
51:08That's quite...
51:09Because that's really substantially sort of made.
51:11That's proper down the roof, nice.
51:13Yeah, I know.
51:14It's a lot more than a cave.
51:15It's got vaulted ceilings.
51:17It's got these central carved bosses.
51:19It's got pillars.
51:21Did he used to live in here?
51:23Originally, he did live in here, aye.
51:25So this here is the altar.
51:30And behind the altar in that recess, there would have been some sort of religious icon or a crucifix.
51:36And in the window here is a nativity scene.
51:39Where?
51:40This is the Virgin Mary.
51:41Can you see her head lying down?
51:43That's her lying flat.
51:45Oh, yeah.
51:45And that's the baby Jesus on her chest, where my hand is.
51:48Oh, yes!
51:48So that's the chapel, late 14th century.
51:51And this, through here, is the new extension.
51:53This is early 15th century.
51:56But just watch your head, it's a little bit...
51:57Very low.
51:58...low, going through here.
51:59OK.
52:04I'm getting a bit claustrophobic in here, so I'm going to...
52:07I'm coming with you.
52:12You OK?
52:13Yeah.
52:15It's just a bit too claustrophobic for me.
52:17I know.
52:18I don't understand why somebody who has all the money in the world...
52:22To live here.
52:23Owns half of Northumberland.
52:25Yeah.
52:25And then comes here.
52:27Would you live here as a hermit?
52:28Not in that cave.
52:29Same.
52:29Would you?
52:30No.
52:30Would you live as a hermit?
52:32Depends on the location.
52:34If you're somewhere abroad, nice weather.
52:37Absolutely.
52:38So this room here, you can see through those fenestrations
52:42into the main chapel.
52:43Mm-hm.
52:44But you're separated from the main congregation.
52:46And it's been suggested that this room was so that lepers
52:49could worship.
52:50Oh!
52:51Did they have lepers in Northumberland?
52:54Apparently.
52:54Did not.
52:55No.
52:57The hermitage fell into disuse in the late 1500s after the Reformation,
53:01when Henry VIII closed the monasteries and banned this way of life.
53:06This is not how I imagined hermitage.
53:08This had, like, multiple rooms, beautiful carvings.
53:13So, yeah, it's essentially a spiritual man cave.
53:16I mean, come on.
53:17It's pretty cool, right?
53:21Yeah.
53:24Leaving the hermitage behind, the pilgrims continue on St Oswald's Way,
53:29as it turns onto the coastal path and heads north.
53:33I like walking, do you?
53:34Yeah, I do.
53:35Bloody love it.
53:36There's a castle.
53:37So many castles.
53:38Oh, look at that.
53:39It's Dunstanborough.
53:40You can't swing a cat without hitting a castle around you.
53:43Yeah.
53:45There's so much poop.
53:47Sorry, I'm trying to avoid it all, but it's just lots of it.
53:52Do you know what?
53:53It's just being in this landscape.
53:55Yeah.
53:55Yeah.
53:56This outlives all of it.
53:58Oh, yeah.
53:58This is...
53:59And it will outlive every single religion in the world.
54:01And it will outlive everything.
54:02Because you think about, you know, these religions, they're not that awalled.
54:05No.
54:06Jesus was only, you know, 2,025 years ago.
54:10They were pagans before that.
54:11Yeah.
54:11You all right back there, Blaker?
54:12Mm-hmm.
54:12That castle won't be here anymore.
54:14But this will be...
54:15And the dolphins and the land...
54:18The sky.
54:18...will be beyond all of it.
54:24Do you think, ultimately, that is it?
54:26Yes.
54:27An eternity, an eternal life force, yeah.
54:31Look at that.
54:32I don't mind living in that.
54:33Wow.
54:36It's pretty special, right?
54:37This is special.
54:38Yeah.
54:40Team Selfie?
54:42Okay.
54:43Okay, team.
54:44Three, two, one.
54:46Oh, it's a really, really nice one, guys.
54:48Huge.
54:48Huge.
54:49I can't believe you've not been here before.
54:51I know, I can't believe it.
54:52But it's like Christianity, isn't it?
54:54You grow up with it.
54:55You're instilled with it within your culture, really, aren't you?
54:57You very rarely get a chance to question it.
55:00Or actually even read the Bible.
55:01Have you read the Bible, for example?
55:03Years ago.
55:04Have you?
55:05Yeah.
55:06I haven't, yeah.
55:07Had a children's Bible.
55:09Had the Good News Bible.
55:10The Good News Bible.
55:13Going straight down there.
55:15The beach looks lovely.
55:21It's nice to be on a beach.
55:23This is just peaceful.
55:26Peaceful white sand.
55:28I keep seeing things kind of pop up in the sea and thinking, it's a dolphin.
55:33Wishful thinking, I think.
55:35Never know.
55:36Oh, yeah.
55:37Dolphin!
55:38Wow, that's close.
55:38I thought I saw a dolphin.
55:40You did.
55:40I was right.
55:42Beth!
55:43That is one of the biggest dolphins I've ever seen.
55:45This is craziness.
55:46Ah!
55:48It's so exciting!
55:50Wow.
55:50Three!
55:55Oh, and more there.
55:56I've never seen dolphins in my mind than I'll see ever.
55:59Because we're human, we forget that, you know, that we're part of that.
56:05We just, like, work and we get so caught up in that.
56:08And then you see that and you're just like, all of that is rubbish.
56:15Pretty special that is, isn't it?
56:18Twice we've seen dolphins.
56:21That's magic.
56:23I want to get in.
56:24I want to go and swim with them.
56:27Come on, Pat.
56:28Come.
56:30Let's get in.
56:35It's been a real blessed day, I think.
56:37It really has.
56:38We are of differing faiths.
56:41But we can respect and love one another as human beings, right?
56:45We're in a country that is predominantly Christian faith, right?
56:48Yeah.
56:48So, did you always feel included, marginalised, you know, for your faith or even your heritage?
56:55Where I was in school, I was the only Arab.
56:58I was only Muslim.
56:59I was about seven when 9-11 happened.
57:02And I remember really distinctly the day after 9-11, a kid in my class saying to the teacher,
57:08Oh, miss, why did they hit the planes and cured those people?
57:13And the teacher went, I don't know.
57:16Ask Hassan.
57:19And...
57:19As a seven-year-old.
57:20As a seven-year-old, yeah.
57:21So, you really feel a sense of otherness.
57:25Absolutely.
57:26And being British is just who I am.
57:27That really confusing go back to where you came from.
57:30It's like, well, what do you mean?
57:33Yeah.
57:33Like, I'm...
57:35I'm from here.
57:37I remember once at school, someone said to me,
57:39So, where are you from then?
57:41And I was like, oh, my family are Iraqi.
57:43And she went, mate, no offence.
57:46Do you ever just think, like, maybe you should just go back to Pakistan?
57:50Oh, boy.
57:54What am I going to do in Pakistan, sister?
57:56Some people... Cricket?
57:59Well...
57:59What can you do apart from make a joke about that?
58:01Honestly, I've got no idea, bro.
58:04Anyway, next pilgrimage in Lahore, brother.
58:06Let's go to Lahore next time.
58:07Yeah.
58:07Inshallah.
58:15Next time...
58:16God, I hope it's not too uphill.
58:19The group faced their biggest challenge yet.
58:21Jesus, it's still growing up.
58:24Hermione has a revelation.
58:25When spirituality became organised religion,
58:29with that came sort of the patriarchy.
58:33It's so good to talk like this, isn't it?
58:34It's great.
58:35I am freezing.
58:36And the Pilgrims channeled Cuthbert.
58:39Brother, it's horrendous.
58:48Step into the story of pilgrimage,
58:50from ancient paths to virtual experiences,
58:53with the Open University's interactive journey through time.
58:56Scan the QR code or visit connect.open.ac.uk slash pilgrimage.
59:06Through there to the
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