Pilgrimage

I also really enjoyed the programme, I remember visiting Lindisfarne a few years ago and found the aspect of the early Anglo Saxon Christian history, so prevalent in that part of England fascinating. Not so much is known about it compared to the Norman Conquest and what came after. In the series, Jane M came across as very knowledgeable about some of those places on the pilgrimage hailing from those parts herself. I was also interested in the various different points of view of the participants, the ones who had a deep faith such as Hassan and Ashley Banjo who were also open to discussing others' beliefs. I thought they both came across well, I liked them very much. Patsy Kensit struck a chord with me in describing herself as an a la carte catholic, best way to be and I imagine she's not alone there. Watching it together my o/h felt Hermoine's views most accorded with his own, particularly the way she related to the natural world and people rather than an organised religion. I think Tasha was confused between the notion of what it is to be an atheist as opposed to an agnostic, finally realising that she was probably the latter. It was apparent that the other Ashley, by his own admission due to his ND, didn't really gel with the rest of the group. It was also quite puzzling as to how he related to the visit to the far more relaxed environment in the Reformed synagogue as opposed to his experiences of being brought up as a strict Orthodox Jew. The fundamental side of most religions often come across as the most unpalatable.

I think I watched the first one of these pilgrimages, Santiago de Compostela, but haven't seen some of the others in between. I may go back and watch them now given how much I enjoyed this series..

I really enjoyed this as I have all the other series.I know Ashley Blaker is neuro diverse and having a ND daughter who can sometimes come across as blunt and a bit aloof was prepared to make allowances.However I felt uncomfortable watching how he spoke at the Reform synagogue. What a lovely human being Hassan seems to be.Faithful but compassionate. And when he asked permission to pray in the synagogue I couldn't help but wonder if it was to show respect to an alternative place of worship after Ashleys critical attitude.

Sago

Ashley Blaker’s behaviour is very disappointing, he refused to have his feet washed and was downright rude in the reform synagogue.
Interestingly it was with female clergy so maybe he is a misogynist.
He stated that male and female had different roles to play and therefore should not sit together in the synagogue yet he didn't substantiate the argument.
I will be very interested to see the final episode this evening.

I found that very disturbing. How can women not being allowed to be with the men during services not be discriminatory?

Sago

Ashley Blaker’s behaviour is very disappointing, he refused to have his feet washed and was downright rude in the reform synagogue.
Interestingly it was with female clergy so maybe he is a misogynist.
He stated that male and female had different roles to play and therefore should not sit together in the synagogue yet he didn't substantiate the argument.
I will be very interested to see the final episode this evening.

I'm not sure that many lay people who have religious beliefs could necessarily substantiate them. They are the sort of things that are drummed into people from childhood. Also, he is neurodiverse (autistic?) so maybe expressed himself more directly than he meant to do.

I was watching a documentary last night called Jewish Law (YouTube) and a high ranking Rabbi was asked about the divorce 'get' system and how it favoured men. He couldn't answer as to why, other than to say it was how it was, and he was obviously very well schooled in the Torah and it's myriad rules.

Sago - this is maybe why I have decided not to watch after the first episode. I do not want to listen to people's prejudices - there is quite enough on the news! Nor do I want to watch the possibility of people being persuaded into beliefs that might otherwise have let them be.

Ashley Blaker’s behaviour is very disappointing, he refused to have his feet washed and was downright rude in the reform synagogue.
Interestingly it was with female clergy so maybe he is a misogynist.
He stated that male and female had different roles to play and therefore should not sit together in the synagogue yet he didn't substantiate the argument.
I will be very interested to see the final episode this evening.

I agree up to a point. I was irritated in the last series when Scarlet Moffat kept bursting into tears when walking over a stile or something (can't remember the detail). That did feel contrived. I could understand people being overwhelmed by things like the sunlight on the causeway in the most recent one, but it has to be convincing, and SM wasn't.

I thought the last series had slightly more interesting people. Nick Hewer is always good value, and the woman who used to play John Deed's daughter was thoughtful about her Jewishness. Laurence Llwellyn-Bowen and the others all had something to offer, too. In this one, Jane Middlemiss was knowledgeable about the saints, and Ashley Banjo is known for his faith, but most of the others had less to say. Hermione Norris was considered in her views, and the Jewish guy with the colourful hair was interesting about Reform Judaism, but Patsy Kensit and the others (not sure of their names) either didn't say much or were edited out.

I do enjoy the programmes though. I usually see them on Sundays, which is my day for pottering and knitting in front of the TV. I don't want anything too demanding, but need enough to keep my interest, and this fits the bill. The Northumberland scenery was lovely in this series, and I might watch it again on iPlayer.

I do find this programme contrived .... as are all "reality" programmes. I am not particularly moved by people expressing their theories about the meaning of life just because they happen to be "well known".
I do love the scenery though!

It’s not really about the celebrities though. It doesn’t matter whether we recognise them or not - it’s just a group of people who stay together for a week or so visiting places important to various faiths and chatting about how the places make them feel.

Anyone judging the programme on how famous the participants are, or how much they get paid is going to be disappointed. They aren’t A listers - they are chosen to represent a range of beliefs (and none) and I guess because they aren’t likely to make it all about themselves.

They do stay overnight WithNobsOnIt. They are together for at least a few days, and stay in hostels, religious houses etc, depending on the route.

I've only watched one episode of this series so far. Patsy Kensit is a bore, she was awful on Richard Osmans House of Games, acted as if she didn't want to be there. Same here so far.

knspol

I watched it for the first time recently, the first episode of this current series. Only watched it because of the particular route. Lasted about 15 /20 mins and thought it was dreadful. Apart from Hermioni Norris and Patsy Kensit I didn't recognise any of the 'celebrities' and found their earnest discussions boring, would rather watch paint dry.

I recognised 5

Good question from Doodledog about the getting lifts.

Also, if they were really serious about having a "Pilgrimage Experience".. If they were to stay overnight anywhere.

Perhaps the could say with local.people and have a simple meal and a bed for then night.

Also donate their sizeable fat fee they will get paid for doing this programme to .Charity?

Doodledog

NannyKnit

I’ve watched all the Pilgrimage series & loved them all. It doesn’t matter if I’ve heard of the participants or not. I’m not religious but find different religions interesting. It’s so sad that the tolerance to other beliefs shown by the Pilgrims isn’t shared by so many others.

I agree. I'm not religious either, but find other people's beliefs fascinating, and enjoy listening to discussions about that sort of thing. Also, the scenery and people the pilgrims meet on the way are interesting too.

Even if we’re not religious I think most of us are spiritual in some way.

Young cattle in particular are definitely attracted to people walking with their dogs more so than people walking without them. I did once see a cow chase away a fox that approached her calf so maybe they think that dogs are predatory foxes?

Luckygirl3

Dogs have been killed round here by an inquisitive herd of cows. I do steer clear of fields with cattle in.

That's unusual.Its usually the other way round in the country side where l live.

With irresponsible dog owners letting their fur babies off their leads that kill sheep, cows and other livestock.

NannyKnit

I’ve watched all the Pilgrimage series & loved them all. It doesn’t matter if I’ve heard of the participants or not. I’m not religious but find different religions interesting. It’s so sad that the tolerance to other beliefs shown by the Pilgrims isn’t shared by so many others.

I agree. I'm not religious either, but find other people's beliefs fascinating, and enjoy listening to discussions about that sort of thing. Also, the scenery and people the pilgrims meet on the way are interesting too.

I’ve loved this series. I’ve watched all of the previous ones.it is real tv with serious conversations and just a great programme to include faith and all the conversations it produces.

I’ve watched all the Pilgrimage series & loved them all. It doesn’t matter if I’ve heard of the participants or not. I’m not religious but find different religions interesting. It’s so sad that the tolerance to other beliefs shown by the Pilgrims isn’t shared by so many others.

We did it from the edge of our town where there is a cockle shell symbol on the wall by the road going north.

I loved it too and having only realised that it was on will try to catch up with the first two episodes of this series. Years ago DH and I did the route to Santiago de Compostela by car and I’ve had an interest in pilgrimages ever since.

I loved it, it's always good but this one was especially good. I rarely know any of the participants but that doesn't bother me. I loved the chat and the scenery was stunning. I'd love to do one of those walks but I don't know how, I struggle to walk to the loo these days. There must be a way to do it for people with disabilities, I'll look into it.

I watched it for the first time recently, the first episode of this current series. Only watched it because of the particular route. Lasted about 15 /20 mins and thought it was dreadful. Apart from Hermioni Norris and Patsy Kensit I didn't recognise any of the 'celebrities' and found their earnest discussions boring, would rather watch paint dry.

I find the discussion of their faith or none most interesting. I was particularly taken with Hasan; he seems a truly good and kind man, very sure of his faith.

They didn't walk all the way Treebee. The opening blurb said that they travelled by foot and bus.
I was exhausted just watching them tackle those hills though. We used a car when we visited those places.
Lovely programme.

I really enjoy the Pilgrimage programmes and this series is no exception. It’s refreshing to hear a spiritual conversation and they visit such interesting places.
They do a lot of walking though, more than I could ever manage.
I was also interested in their visit to the beach on Runswick Bay. Having holidayed there I know there’s an extremely steep road as you climb up from the beach and I wondered how they’d physically managed it having walked from south of Whitby.