ITHE NORTH WALES PILGRIMS WAY
 
I first heard of the Pilgrims Way from my cousin Nick and his wife Pat who are Rangers in the Peak District and were on the committee formed in the spring of 2010 to organise a new long distance footpath.  It was the inspiration of the Dean of St. Asaph Cathedral, the Very Reverend Chris Potter and his wife Jenny who had recently walked the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain and felt that a similar pilgrimage could be made in North Wales following in the steps of St. Winefride and St. Beuno.

I thought little more about it until I heard the Committee intended to walk the Pilgrims Way for 12 days in August 2011.  The project had received support from C.C.W., the County Councils and Tourism. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the Patron.  I had a sudden urge to join this inaugural walk from Holywell to Aberdaron and Bardsey Island.  Because my old walking boots were worn out Id recently treated myself to a new leather pair, wondering at the time if I would ever get the wear out of them!  I had the most important equipment needed!!  Also I heard that anyone was welcome to join the group for all or part of the walk and there would be transport back to St. Asaph for the first few days.
The Pilgrimage began on Sunday 7th August at 2pm with a service and blessing by the Bishop of St. Asaph at Basingwerk Abbey from whence about 60 people walked up the Greenfield Valley to St. WinefridesWell and to the Monastery at Pantasaph where tea and cakes were provided for us all.  My daughter Catrin, grandchildren Sophie and Reuben and a couple of friends accompanied us that first afternoon.

 The next day was quite a shock! As wed only walked about 4 miles the previous afternoon mileage had to be added to the Mondays walk.  Thus we walked 18.5 miles and clambered over 52 stiles!  However it all went well for the 18 walkers and we had a very welcome cup of tea and biscuits in the church hall at Tremeirchion before finishing at St. Asaph Cathedral.

Tuesday was a lovely sunny day and Barbara McEvoy a member of Rhyl Club who is also District 18 Editor joined us for the 11.5 mile walk which started with a short service in the Cathedral.  We walked to Cefn Meiriadog where the vicar met us and showed us round the lovely St. Marys Church.  We carried on our way and were given a great welcome in the parish of Llansannan with two invitations to tea and barabrith garden parties.
Wednesday was the day we got really wet.  It rained in the morning but we had shelter for our packed lunches in the old church of St. Winefride at Gwytherin.  This is now privately owned and used as an artist and photographic studio by Alison Goulbourne.  Alison had laid on tea and coffee for us.  In the afternoon on open fields and moorland the heavens opened on us with extremely strong wind and lashing heavy rain.  About 4 pm we came to the outskirts of a village which some thought was our destination  Llangernyw.  I didnt like to disillusion them but in time we arrived at a sign  Pandy Tudur  we had another 4 miles to go!  That included a beautiful walk down a gorge to Hafodunas Hall.  Even though everywhere was wet we could still appreciate it.  That day the core group of walkers really bonded together in adversity and we felt ready for anything.  There is something very rewarding and enjoyable about walking with a group  one strolls along and chats with different people on the way and we help one another over difficult terrain.

Thursday was a bit drizzly  waterpBARBARA TREFORS ARCHIVE roofs on and off all day.  We had another great welcome at St. Martins Church at Eglwysbach before crossing the River Conwy at Tal y Cafn and on to Rowen.  Friday was a highlight with good weather and after a very steep hill from Rowen we arrived at the remote church of St. Celenyn high above the Conwy Valley.  My daughters, Sian and Catrin and 7year old Reuben met us for the service in the church and to walk a little way with us until we had a picnic lunch by the Stone Circles above Penmaenmawr.  We thought wed lost Reuben that day  eventually he was found leading the way in front of the fastest walkers who had joined us!  Pat did a wonderful job as back marker each day making sure nobody was left behind, while Ron Williams of the Ramblers who had devised the route and arranged for stiles to be improved or replaced led the way assisted by Mike Costello of Clwydian Walking Holidays.  As this was the inaugural walk we were marking the way with stickers of the Celtic Cross.  These will shortly be replaced by permanent way markers.

Over the weekend we did 18 miles each day.  Llanfairfechan, passing the lovely waterfalls at Abergwyngregyn, to Bangor Cathedral and on the Sunday we went from Bangor to Caernarfon passing the Castle and going on to Penygroes.  For the two nights I bunked down with Nick and Pat at the Chester Climbing Clubs cottage half way up Snowdon.  Nick has been a member for many years.  From Penygroes the next day we walked 14.3 miles to Nant Gwrtheyrn where we stayed at the Welsh Language Centre in the restored cottages. The walks along the coastal paths of the Lleyn Peninsula were magical.  We visited the beautiful church of St. Beuno at Clynnogfawr which was founded in the 7th century.  It was a very emotional group who finally walked into Aberdaron.  We went straight to the church and laid our rucksacks and walking poles before the altar and the Dean gave a service of thanksgiving.
On Thursday 18th August the 12 of us who had walked every step of the way were allowed to take the first boat to Bardsey which is an atmospheric place of pilgrimage, a national nature reserve and an inspiration for artists and writers.  We had four hours to explore the island and when the second boat arrived the Dean gave a communion service in the Chapel for us all.

It was an amazing and fulfilling experience to walk the North Wales Pilgrims Way.  Each day our numbers changed as some people had to leave for commitments and newcomers joined us. Although I walk regularly I had never done a long linear walk nor walked for 12 days without a break.  At 73 I was the oldest person to complete the 150 miles but I was fortunate that my knees stood up to the task, I had no blisters on my feet and I enjoyed it.  Nobody had to wait for me and I shall always remember the friendship along the way amongst ourselves and the people we met who welcomed us.  We were very lucky to be able to reach Bardsey as even in summer the tidal race and currents are often too strong for the boat to make the crossing.  It is to be hoped that many people will use the path through the beautiful Welsh countryside either for short  walking days, circular walks or for a longer holiday staying bed and breakfast as we did in the last few days.

I was very grateful to the Rhyl Club members who generously supported my effort and donated to President Rosie Gaskins chosen charities.