Day 1: Carmarthen to Cardigan

We meet up in Carmarthen and at coach takes us to Cardigan and the Welsh National RC Shrine, Our Lady of the Taper, where we will attend mass the following day, the feast of the Assumption. We walk to the Church in Wales church St Mary's for our commissioning service since this is where the statue of Our Lady of the Taper was pre-reformation.

Pilgrims converged on Carmarthen Railway Station (Gorsaf) to discover ... a Southdown bus (not to mention a Routemaster and other vintage buses). An early picture for Julian!

Julian says: The bus is a Southdown Motor Services leyland PD3 with Northern Counties bodywork ( the whole type were nick named Queen Marys on account of them being 8ft wide and the longest double decker bus in service at the time!) delivered new to Southdown in April 1965 . It is highly possible that Bill Haynes was a conductor on this bus! after withdrawal it was sold to Boro' line in Maidstone for use on BR rail replacement work and found its way eventually back into preservation. A lot of these type were exported to Hong Kong.

Godwin made it after a long journey - but he did forget to take his bags off the train (saved by Euan and Mike).

Jack does his best to explain to Peter and Sarah where the car is to be parked, but Peter can't take it in.

John at the wheel - back in his prime.

Pilgrims board the coach for the trip to Cardigan.

Rounding up the lambs.

Patrick supervises the bed spaces in the hall - it's going to be tight.

What went in the coach must come out.

We walked down to the town to St Mary's Church for our Induction Service.

The church was full of flowers - it was the first day of their flower festival and the church smelt delightful.

Fr David blesses the crosses.

Aidan talks about the concept of pilgrimage - and how we have to work together.

The pilgrims get their crosses.

Fr David gives the blessing.

This year's cross, designed and made by Bruce.

Danny gets in quick to update his facebook status.

This floral display, Holy Communion, was created by the Catholic priest.

The vicar and Aidan after the service.

Beds out!

Time for tea.

Bill and Peter discuss tomorrow's services.

Relaxing on their beds.

Frisbeeeeeee!

Ann seeks a signal.

A goose flies overhead.

Katherine and Bruce discuss wood turning.

Francis with a rainbow.

Sarnie bashing.

Preparing the arrows for tomorrow's first walking day.

And now, we're sitting in a pub, using the wi fi, watching Match of the Day, but it's lights out all too soon...