We will walk the paths our fathers trod before us - St avid's 2010

Day 15: Solva to St David's & back

To reach St David's Cathedral, we continue along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path as far as St Non's Chapel, then turn inland. After lunch and free time in St David's, we meet up at the market cross at 16:00 and walk back to Solva along a minor road (or alternatively catch a bus) in good time for our celebration eucharist followed by meal.

Alison sent us on our way with setting off prayers in the morning sunshine.

Isaac, helpful as ever, holds the gate for the pilgrims to pass through.

Almost everyone is walking this, our shortest day, including Clare.

We're soon rewared with wonderful coastal scenery.

This is the sort of walking you never want to stop.

View back over Solva Haven.

Discussing the scenery.

The view west.

Just a short stroll...

Even Anne is walking, with Pat.

Caroline descends - but we'll climb again.

Team Orange - Tineke and Gill.

Another view back east.

I said we'd climb again.

Neville inspects an old lime kiln.

Another view west.

Drinks stop on the cliff top.

Reaching the drinks stop.

St Non's Chapel.

St Non - the mother of St David.

Is David praying - no, just checking angles for his photo!

Andy and Clare look at the ships.

Godwin found a friend on his arm.

We all squeezed into the chapel for prayers.

Mike deputised for Fr David to give Andy and Margaret their crosses.

We remembered deceased pilgrims: the role of honour read by Margaret and Andy whose father John died in his sleep at the end of the last St David's pilgrimage in 1992

Pilgrims join in singing "Guide me oh thou Great Redeemer" before the final yards.

Tea and coffee were provided by the sisters on their terrace.

Aruna talks to a statue.

Marie takes water from the holy well.

Looking back at the chapel.

Pilgrims arrive at the gathering point.

Caroline and Fred chat while we wait.

More pilgrims arrive.

And more.

Anne's happy.

The back markers join us.

The procession begins.

We walk, singing "Seek ye first" through the outskirts of St David's.

On we go.

And on.

Weaving through the streets.

Turning into the gateway.

Our first sight of the Cathedral.

Down the steps singing "Walk in the light"

We're happy to be here.

Nearly there.

Welcomed by a member of the cathedral clergy.

Luis has a brief snooze before the service.

Aidan introduces the prayers for the people we met and the places we passed through.

Monica and Rosemary pray for Day 1, the gathering day.

Michael and Susan for Day 2, for Cardigan to Aberporth.

John and Louise, Day 3, Aberporth to New Quay.

Andy and Bridget deputise for Lucinda for Day 4, New Quay to Llanon.

Maurice and Chris for Day 5, Llanon to Aberystwyth.

Clare and Fran for the rest day in Aberystwyth.

Francis and Mary for Day 7, Aberystwyth to the Bont.

Neville and Nick deputise for Bruce for Day 8, the Bont to Cellan.

Isaac and Aidan for Day 9, Cellan to Llandysul.

Danny and Norma for Day 10, Llandysul to Carmarthen.

Alexe and John for the rest day in Carmarthen.

Ann and Henriette for Day 12, Carmarthen to Whitland.

Jonny and Mke for Day 13, Whitland to Haverfordwest.

Theresa and Howard for Day 14, Haverfordwest to Solva.

Fred and Sue for today, Day 15, Solva to St David's.

Father David concluded with a blessing.

The arrows, one per day, in front of the altar.

We follow the light.

The Lady Chapel.

The roof of the choir.

The crucifixion scene suspended above the nave.

Looking up the nave.

Last view of the cathedral as we climb back to the pub.

Having safely led us to our destination, Sue is happy and relaxed.

Patrick tries to drink a pint of prawns.

Tricia has come to meet us again.

Are these all Patrick's?

Pilgrims around the town during the afternoon.

Stopping at a tea shop, Isaac managed to fall off his chair.

Back markers at play.

Bridget and Sarah went off riding for the afternoon, having found the stables as we walked past yesterday.

Back at the hall, we prepared for our celebration Eucharist and supper. At the offertory, Geoff offered one of the arrows that has guided his days for 2 weeks.

William looks pleased with his supper - so he should be, as Alexe and John had managed to prepare it even though the hob had ceased to function (they cooked the vegetables suspended in the tea urns).

Birthday boy Nick.

Aidan thanked all who had played a part in the pilgrimage, stressing the just how many roles are involved in making it happen. The non-walking team were given tokens of our appreciation.

Those who had planned walks were presented with a mounted photo from their day.

After a big tidy up, and some pilgrims going off to bed, a sing-song got underway.

Everyone semed to be enjoying themselves.

Bridget and Andy join in.

Neville passes round the chocolates.

Patrick at the helm.

Political adversaries united in song.

Joan gives it her all.