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Chris Potter and Sue Last battle the elements

Pilgrim's arrive in Bardsey as Inaugural Pilgrimage hailed a success

The first pilgrims to walk the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way have arrived at Bardsey Island at the end of their 11 day trek.

The Very Revd Chris Potter led the trip which started with a blessing from Bishop Gregory at Basingwerk Abbey on Sunday 7 August.

This first pilgrimage was designed to check the route and “waymark” it with stickers of a Celtic Cross to allow other people to do the same route for years to come.

It turns out the walk is far longer than was initially thought with the pilgrims walking around 150 miles rather than the 127 that were initially estimated.

Chris says there may now be some fine tuning to the route but overall this first pilgrimage was a complete success.

He said:

“It’s not so much an achievement but a sense of fulfilment.

“We’ve walked through the worst of weather and the sweetest weather, through towns and cities, hamlets and villages, along pavements and grass and there’s been an incredible welcome from parishes along the way.

“Overall it’s been delightful and the little services we’ve had along the way have been so moving and powerful, while the relationships and conversations along the route have blossomed.”

Despite walking an extra 23 miles, the pilgrims still arrived at Bardsey Island on schedule on Thursday 18 August.

You can read the background to the Pilgrim’s Way here.

View the full route by visiting the North Wales Pilgrim's Way website.

You can see more photographs on our Flickr page.

Click here to view our press release.

Send your news of events - forthcoming and recently enjoyed - to the Diocesan Communications Officer, Phil Topham. The news pages of the website include Bishop Gregory's mailing to clergy, a Calendar of forthcoming events, news of activities around the Diocese and a link to the Diocesan newsletter, Teulu Asaph. Use the column on the right to navigate around these pages.

 

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