DAY THIRTEEN Llangollen to Wrexham

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Another morning, another school, same van to pack and same muddy boots to put on - although perhaps a little drier, as we had no rain yesterday.

Our route immediately gave us impressive views over Llangollen . . .

. . . as we descended to walk along the canal.

It was only a short walk (less than two miles) . . .

. . . before we reached Valle Crucis Abbey - a ruined abbey in the care of Cadw (the Welsh equivalent of English Heritage).

Pilgrims had a chance to look around . . .

. . . and clown around . . .

. . . before Father Robert led Morning Prayer.

Robert, who is an Anglican priest, has joined the pilgrimage for the first time this year as a chaplain, working alongside Father David. He spoke to us about his experience of the pilgrimage, linking in with today's theme of 'esteem' and the significance of Valle Crucis, which means 'Valley of the Cross'.

The service included a Taizé chant and ended with a rousing rendition of 'Seek ye first'.

We moved on through country lanes . . .

. . . before ascending once more into the hills, where we followed the Offa's Dyke Path along the side of the hill for some distance.

We finally emerged onto the road and eventually reached a very welcome drinks stop, where we discovered that Monica had been spying on us all through her binoculars for the last few miles.

We soon realised how close to Wrexham we were as this view opened up before us.

Lunch was at the City Arms, at New Brighton, on the edge of Wrexham.

Shortly after lunch, we passed an old lead mine . . .

. . . and only a little further along the route was Nant Mill. By this point the weather was gloriously hot and many pilgrims took advantage of the gift shop to buy ice creams. (There were also toilets, which, at one mile after the lunchtime pub, were perfectly located.)

Our afternoon prayer stop was at Bersham Church.

This was scheduled as DIY prayers, but as so many pilgrims arrived at the same time, we decided to sing together and then Sue led us in prayer.

From the church, it was a couple of miles to our hall. Although, it was a comparatively short day, the wear and tear of the pilgrimage and today's hills meant that most pilgrims thought it was quite far enough.

Before our meal a 'co-celebrated' mass was held, in which Father David concecrated the elements using the Roman Catholic rite and Father Robert consecrated a separate chalice and paten using the Anglican rite.

The idea was that Roman Catholics received communion from David and others from Robert, but interestingly some pilgrims chose to receive from both.

Rather ironically (in the webmaster's humble opinion), the communion song was 'One bread, one body'.

We ended with a pilgrim favourite, 'Bind us together'.

Pilgrims are now engaged in their usual evening activities - in the pub, chatting in the hall, sleeping or reading, according to preference, as we prepare for tomorrow, our last walking day, when we will arrive in Chester.

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