St Winefried's Pilgrimage 2017

Day 15: Pantasaph to Holywell

This is a gentle morning's walk from Pantasaph into our pilgrimage destination, St Winefride's Well on the outskirts of Holywell. We have a short climb on leaving the friary but soon find ourselves walking through fields with beautiful views of the Dee estuary. We make a stop at the ruins of Basingwerk Abbey which has a visitor centre and café before approaching Holywell from the north-east through the town's heritage park.


Pilgrimage Newsfeed - Day 15

Click on any photo to see a full resolution version thereof.


Statue of St. Padre Pio in our accommodation Danny Thomas Original Tweet


Stuart relaxing before back marking. Edward Stork


Pilgrim Hall Pantasaph Friary John Chenery Original Tweet


St David's Church at Pantasaph, where we had our service yesterday evening. John Chenery Original Tweet


Today's backmarkers John Chenery Original Tweet


Looking back to those Clwydian Hills which we crossed yesterday. John Chenery Original Tweet


John Chenery Original Tweet


Looking across to the Wirral peninsula and beyond that the Lancashire coast where we walked on the 2014 pilgrimage John Chenery


The end of the Wirral peninsula and an orange arrow that doesn't show up very well John Chenery Original Tweet


John Chenery Original Tweet


panoramic view of the Dee Estuary Danny Thomas Original Tweet


John Chenery Original Tweet


Tree. John Chenery Original Tweet


Reading about the industrial heritage of what is now called the Greenfield Valley. Copper mining was big here. John Chenery


The ruins of Basingwerk Abbey. John Chenery Original Tweet


Display about the North Wales Pilgrims Way which starts here. We have seen much of this. John Chenery Original Tweet


Some pilgrims have found the cafe. John Chenery Original Tweet


Francis gives final prayer stop at Basingwerk Abbey. Adilz, Fred (KWLWG)


Prayer stop. Francis talks about Yew Trees. John Chenery Original Tweet


John Chenery Original Tweet


John Chenery Original Tweet


final prayer stop of the pilgrimage Danny Thomas Original Tweet


Jim has a feather or two in his hat Bernie Magee


"Let's all walk as one group for the final mile." Have you tried herding cats? John Chenery Original Tweet


We've arrived at St Winefride's Well in Holywell. John Chenery Original Tweet


Viewing the exhibition. John Chenery Original Tweet


Maurice takes a dip in the holy water. John Chenery Original Tweet


Maurice dipping in the well Danny Thomas Original Tweet


John Chenery Original Tweet


"The Lourdes of Wales" St. Winefride's Well Danny Thomas Original Tweet


Jim contemplating Danny Thomas Original Tweet


Colin healing his legs Danny Thomas Original Tweet


Stained glass of St Winefride and he uncle St Beuno - see the scar in her neck where he had reattached her severed head John Chenery


Gathered for the daily public service at the holy well itself, which feeds the bathing pool. John Chenery Original Tweet


The Well Danny Thomas Original Tweet


above the well Danny Thomas Original Tweet


Group photo by the pool John Chenery Original Tweet


John Chenery Original Tweet


Leaving the shrine for now (some of us will be back in the afternoon) John Chenery Original Tweet


Looking back to the tower of St James' Church above the shrine. John Chenery Original Tweet


Processing to the Catholic Church John Chenery Original Tweet


into the church John Chenery Original Tweet


St Winefride's RC Church, Holywell: the venue for our arrival service. John Chenery Original Tweet


gathering for final service Danny Thomas Original Tweet


Fr. David Danny Thomas Original Tweet


Leader Francis Danny Thomas Original Tweet


Our arrival service. Here Chris prays for the places visited on the 2 days led by the St Ann's Wanderers John Chenery


Playing the final hymn at the end of the arrival service John Chenery


Tonight we are staying in St Peter's Church, Holywell John Chenery


boots off! Danny Thomas Original Tweet


floral Danny Thomas Original Tweet


a windmill sans vanes in front of St. Peter's church Danny Thomas Original Tweet


Unloading the van. John Chenery Original Tweet


The pilgrims are claiming their bedspaces but a band is using the hall to practise. "Just want to dance the night away." John Chenery


Now it's Status Quo's Caroline John Chenery Original Tweet


local band rehearsing at our accommodation at St. Peter's church Danny Thomas Original Tweet


walking another 500 miles! Danny Thomas Original Tweet


Drying off after bathing in St Winifride's well Susie Duffy


Susan takes to the water Susie Duffy


In St James' Church, the one with the tower immediately above the well. John Chenery Original Tweet


It's cold Susie Duffy


John C chilling out Susie Duffy


It's Colin's third time Susie Duffy


Janet, Catherine and Marie catching the last rays of the sun Bernie Magee


Queuing for main course at the Celebration Meal. John Chenery Original Tweet


Between courses. John Chenery Original Tweet


Super chef Alison serving pudding to Howard and Maurice. John Chenery Original Tweet


Bernie deciding on what cheese Edward Stork


Coordinator Francis with 3 bottles that the pilgrims presented him with. John Chenery Original Tweet


Well deserved I am sure xx Lesley Brennan Original Tweet


celebrating the end of the pilgrimage Danny Thomas Original Tweet


Sing-song John Chenery Original Tweet


John Chenery Original Tweet


Singalong Edward Stork