Day 2: Cardigan to Aberporth
This day’s walk is the first of four primarily along the Ceredigion Coastal path. Today we take in a variety of scenery, beginning with the estuary of the Afon Teifi (the Welsh name for the town of Cardigan is Aberteifi i.e. mouth of the Teifi). We move on to rolling hills then more challenging terrain as we move towards Aberporth. The lunch stop is early in the day’s walk due to the lack of hostelries on this comparatively remote stretch of coastline. The church and views around Mwnt are spectacular and the views of the MOD Aberporth range (operated by QinetiQ) are not – look the other way – but the route ends with a long downhill into the seaside village of Aberporth (then a little uphill to the hall). CARE and ATTENTION is needed on the route between Mwnt and Aberporth. This section will take longer than you think so watch your time and be mindful of sunset.
After our first night's sleep we were up early, and morning prayer was said in the sunshine.
Breakfast is served.
Our Lady supervises Joan applying her make up.
We had to clear the hall in good time for the parish to set up for coffee after Mass, an opportunity to catch up with the news...
...or catch your halo.
Divine guidance is sought by the support car team.
The musicians practice a contribution for Mass.
Tricia, a friend of the Dorans, asks where we'll be in a few days' time.
Danny converses with Fr Jason; goodness knows what they were saying - it was in Welsh!
The status of Our Lady of the Taper. (The original statue was found next to the river according to legend and St Mary’s Church was built on that spot. After the reformation there was no statue until one was built in 1958 when the shrine was revived by the Catholic Church.)
The window of the shrine.
Our route out of Cardigan took us through a field of tall maize; Andy fell over but got the picture of Euan anyway!
The stick team get into the swing.
Out along the Teifi estuary.
Lunch: sandwiches were eaten in the field opposite the pub.
A skein of geese fly overhead - in fact, several went over in succession.
Dannie shares her dessert with B.
John and Sue chat with a family who met us in church this morning.
After lunch, the climb starts.
John - preparing for his prayer stop, or doing sudoku.
Isaac did the first prayer stop - a moving reflection of how acceptance of others starts with acceptance of self, as God has accepted us.
After prayers, drinks.
Approaching Mwnt church.
Theresa and Howard share a guilty secret.
Mwnt church from above.
The mad pilgrims who climbed a hill that's not on the route to see the view (or just because it was there!)
John gave another heartfelt reflection on Simeon's Nunc Dimittis.
Inside Mwnt church.
Pilgrims follow the coast path.
Catherine pauses for reflection.
The coast ahead.
What's that out there?
A seal!
Happy pilgrims in the sunshine.
Ewa stops for tea by the path.
The view back south.
Amazing caves - from which the seagulls' cries echoed.
Nearly there - Aberporth beach.
The leaping dolphin
And we're there - the village hall.
Now, washed and fed, we can relax a little before tomorrow's walk - and try to find an internet connection!