A prayer
“God of Our Pilgrimage, Thank You for Your Friendship
Be the Fire Leading Us
Be the Star Guiding Us
Be the Good Shepherd Calling Us
May the Spirit Strengthen Us
For All that Lies Ahead
May Your Holy Angels Surrounding Us
Watch, Defend and Protect Us Against All Evil”
Start at the Church of St. Andrew, Oddington.
In the church admire the ornate décor and fittings, a legacy of the Anglo Catholic period in the 20th century.
The monument at the rear of the church to the Maoris killed in the First World War was commissioned by the Maori Princess, Maggie Papakura, when she lived in Oddington. She is buried in the churchyard. A prayer at her grave for her memory and to all the Maoris who make the pilgrimage to the church.
From the churchyard there are views across Otmoor and towards Noke.
Turn right out of churchyard and walk through village.
With telephone kiosk ahead go straight onto rough track leading on to Otmoor. At Oddington Bridge pause to look at the River Ray and say a short prayer for the great beauty of this wild area.
Turn right along the track towards Noke.
As the river goes off to the right you will come to the Iron Centre, a bridge over the Old Ray as it ends its route across the moor, before joining the New Ray about 500m towards Islip.
Straight on is a grassy track, sometimes muddy in wet conditions. Soon you will come to the northern end of the RSPB Reserve on your left. Usually an abundance of wildfowl on the ponds.
At a pumping station on your left take a right turn towards Noke. There is a large pond on your right. Continue on this track, past farms, and into Noke.
The quiet road through Noke gives the opportunity to admire magnificent old houses.
Continue on the road until you reach the Church of St. Giles.
The church dates from the 13th century and its simplicity is its beauty. The tranquillity provides the ideal setting for reflection and prayer.
On leaving St. Giles turn left and immediately go on a path alongside the former Church School. At the end of this path turn left on a rough track, with the splendid Manor Farm on your left. At this point the track to Oddington goes off to the right. Follow this track until it comes to the Old Ray and then turn right along the river bank. A mass of wildflowers during Spring and Summer.
Go over footbridge, crossing the Old Ray and then the New Ray, towards Logg Farm. The footpath then goes diagonally across a field to the road.
Turn right on the road and soon after you enter Oddington.
St Andrew's Church 